Here is a NT reference to an OT statement about the divinity of Jesus.
Heb. 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
The writer of Hebrews says that God calls Jesus God. Let's look at that OT reference...
Ps. 45:6 Thy throne, O God, ( אלהים ) is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God ( אלהים ) , thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
So then Elohim is the God of Elohim.
Episkopos:
(Heb 1:8) But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
The earliest Hebrew/ Aramaic languages did not make any distinction between ‘GOD’ or ‘god.’ Also, their text was all caps with no punctuation or spaces.
The word “God’ was used liberally by early believers. It was a title for authorities, esteemed people, rulers, or who acts in the service of God’s authority.
Hebrews 1:8 like other verses uses the word “
theos: that does not always mean the Father.
The
Septuagint uses “
theos” for God, and also for men like in Psalm 82:1 and 6.
The context decides what “GOD” refers to. Throughout the entire context Hebrews Chapter 1, Christ is spoken of as the son and not God as his own Father. The use of “
theos” in Verse 8 should be translated “god.”
The expression ‘for ever and ever’ means for the ages or ages to come with a definite end point in sequential time. It is for a limited time.
Now look at the entire Verse 8 in a very wide lens. Why would God our Father need a ‘new’ kingdom of believers with a scepter of righteousness. God does not need approval or justification with a scepter of righteousness.
(1Co 15:24) Then comes the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father, when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power.
(1Co 15:25) For he must reign until He has put all his enemies under his feet.
(1Co 15:26) The last enemy that shall be abolished is death. (NEV)
Jesus will have his Kingdom of believers that his Father promised as a part of the plan of salvation that God formulated before time. Later Jesus will return this Kingdom to his Father. Jesus is given the authority to put all enemies under his feet by his Father.
(Psa 45:6) Your throne, God, is forever and ever. A sceptre of equity is the sceptre of your kingdom.
(Psa 45:7) You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness; therefore God,
even your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows. (NEV)
And finally, Psalms 45:7 clearly defines that Jesus is subordinate to his Father. The early Hebrew did have both words as 'GOD' although it was up to us to make sense of all the Capitals - Jesus is never God Almighty. I guess folks are determined to keep trying to force a square block into a smaller holed block.
Bless you,
APAK