יהוה אלהים, God of the Gods

The name יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים‎ is usually understood as a noun cluster, resulting in translations like “the LORD God” in English or “Jehová Dios” in Spanish. This article examines two alternative interpretations that have received insufficient scholarly attention. First, Murtonen’s genitive hypothesis, which sees the compound as a construct relationship with YHWH as the chief of the heavenly council (אֱלֹהִים‎ referring to the celestial beings). Second, Jirku’s shortening hypothesis, according to which the compound derives from a longer form like יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֱלֹהִים‎ “YHWH, God of (the) gods,” in a way similar to how יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת‎ “YHWH of hosts” may derive from יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי‎ צְבָאוֹת “YHWH God of hosts.” Possible translations are “YHWH, whose name is God”/“YHWH, the only actual God” (noun cluster), “YHWH, the chief of the heavenly council” (Murtonen), and “YHWH, supreme God of the heavenly council” (Jirku).