Were Do All These Gods Come From?

BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: Psalm 82: "Psalm 82
A psalm of Asaph.
1 God presides in the great assembly;
he gives judgment among the 'gods':

2 'How long will you [a] defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?
Selah

3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

4 Rescue the weak and needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

5 'They know nothing, they understand nothing.
They walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6 'I said, 'You are 'gods';
you are all sons of the Most High.'

7 But you will die like mere men;
you will fall like every other ruler.'

8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 82:2 The Hebrew is plural."

Michael Heiser offers some fascinating work on the "Divine Council" at his following website: http://www.thedivinecouncil.com/

Having an understanding of the Divine Council clarifies many areas of the Old and New Testaments. The struggle by Jews and Christians (yes and Muslims, would that were their only problem) to avoid polytheism has distorted much of the subject beyond comprehension. Michael Heiser knows his stuff, is fun to read and is, I believe, right on the mark. Thank you Dr. Heiser.

This is not a new subject but I appreciate Heiser's clarity on the Hebrew "plurality," separating the "dual powers" from the "sons of God." In plain language Jesus is not a good brother of bad Lucifer. Jesus not only existed with God prior to the creation of all things but created all things ... now we are getting somewhere. Some who recognize the existence of a divine council in the ancient religions say Heiser is torturing the Hebrew text for theological reasons and the Hebrew is the same as the others ie God is just tougher, stronger, smarter than the other gods. But the Hebrew God could, according to the text, withdraw immortality from the gods. Sounds different to me. Is it possible that all these ideas originated from the same truth but some have been distorted by the fallen gods? I suppose if one believes it is all a fiction then that is a tough conclusion to draw.

Other Interesting Forays:
The Divine Council and the Kabbalah (containing more links)
PID Interview
FutureQuake Interview