Deuteronomy 32 and Psalm 82 reveal Yahweh as a junior Elohim assigned to Jacob’s family by Elyon, the commander.
Yahweh had the people of Jacob, which was assigned to him by the chief of the Elohim, that in the Bible is named Elyon.
Then we have Elyon, the powerful one more powerful than the other powerful ones is essentially what that means.
We have Yahweh, El Shaddai, Elyon, all the Elohim, the elohim adah—they are stories of paleo-contact, not of "Almighty God," which turns out to be an invented translation altogether.
The Masoretic Text reads: "When the Most High (Elyon) gave the nations their inheritance...
The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Septuagint (LXX) suggest the original text referred to Elyon (likely El) as the Most High who apportioned the nations, with Yahweh as one of His sons or subordinates.
Melchizedek, the king of Salem, is described as a priest of El Elyon (God Most High).
He blesses Abram in the name of El Elyon, not Yahweh.
Distinctions between various divine figures, including Elohim, El Elyon, and Yahweh, were effectively erased.
Paul Wallis recommends the New Jerusalem Bible (Expanded Study Edition) for its transparency in translating the original names of "Lord God" such as Elohim, El Elyon, El Shaddai, Yahweh, and Adonai.
The Book of the Laws of YHWH included undisguised narratives of elohim, Elyon the Captain, Shaddai the Destroyer, CH-CH the Dragon, Asherah, Baal, Dagon, the moloch child-sacrifices, and the whole kaleidoscopic memory of the seba hassamayim.
The Bible mentions one true God of Israel (primarily under names like Yahweh, Elohim, El Elyon, Adonai, El Shaddai, Eloah, El Roi, Yah) and refers to many foreign gods worshiped by other nations or sometimes by Israelites in idolatry.
El Elyon (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן) translates to "God Most High" or simply "Most High."It emphasizes supreme authority, sovereignty, and transcendence over all creation, including other divine beings or "gods."
The Elohim’s arrival, described as “flying armies” or sa hashamayim, led to the establishment of the elbat, a council chaired by a higher-ranking entity referred to as El Elyon. According to Wallis, this council divided land among the Elohim, creating artificial scarcity and sparking conflicts, including those involving Yahweh, portrayed as a junior member of the council.
Rabbinic interpretations often connected Canaanite deities with familiar Classical figures, leading to the notion that Kronos aligns with the Semitic god El, also called "El Elyon" or "God Most High."
Jewish scholar Professor Emanuel Tov asserts that “Elyon,” “El,” and “Yahweh” correspond to three different individuals. Furthermore, Dr. Jeff Benner, in his dictionaries, translates “Elyon” simply as “Superior to others,” meaning one who commands, rather than the “Most High.”
Biglino delves into the pictographic origins of “Elyon,” explaining that it derives from two pictograms: one representing an eye, symbolizing the one who observes and controls, and the other a shepherd’s staff, symbolizing leadership over others.
Biglino concludes that “Elyon” refers not to the “Most High” in a superlative sense, but rather to a governor or leader who is above others, observing and guiding them like a shepherd with his flock.
Biglino suggests that the “malakhim,” or angels, were likely part of a military hierarchy under the command of the Elohim, with Elyon as the supreme commander.
El Elyon – "Most High God."
The Elohim’s arrival, described as "flying armies" or sa hashamayim, led to the establishment of the elbat, a council chaired by a higher-ranking entity referred to as El Elyon.
This has contributed to the idea that Kronos could be viewed through the lens of the Semitic El, who was sometimes also called "El Elyon" or "God Most High."
The term Elyon (also spelled Elyown or Elyohn) is a Hebrew word meaning "Most High." It is often used in the Hebrew Bible to denote the supreme status of God, emphasizing His sovereignty and exalted position above all creation.
In the context of the Bible, El Elyon combines "El" (a general term for God) with "Elyon," resulting in the phrase "God Most High." This designation is used to express the exaltedness and overwhelming majesty of God.
"Elyon" in the Bible reflects the monotheistic belief in a single, supreme deity.
The title "Elyon" reinforces the understanding of God as the highest authority, distinct from and superior to any other deities acknowledged by surrounding cultures.
Today, Biglino shifts focus to the term "Elyon." He immediately clarifies that despite the assonance between "Elyon" and "Elohim," these terms derive from entirely different roots.
"Elohim" comes from the root "El," involving the letter "ain," while "Elyon" involves the letter "alef."
"Elyon" is an adjective meaning "above" or "uppermost." Biglino explains that while "Elohim" is a term that encompasses various meanings, "Elyon" has been translated as "Most High" in many instances, though it is not a superlative.
Biglino refers to several authoritative sources to demonstrate the varying interpretations of "Elyon." The Catholic Encyclopedia suggests that "Elyon" indicates a monotheistic tendency, while Jewish scholar Professor Emanuel Tov asserts that "Elyon," "El," and "Yahweh" correspond to three different individuals.
Jeff Benner, in his dictionaries, translates "Elyon" simply as "Superior to others," meaning one who commands, rather than the "Most High."
Biglino delves into the pictographic origins of "Elyon," explaining that it derives from two pictograms: one representing an eye, symbolizing the one who observes and controls, and the other a shepherd's staff, symbolizing leadership over others.
Biglino presents three specific examples from the Bible where "Elyon" is used, demonstrating its concrete application as an adjective rather than as a superlative:
Deuteronomy 32:8 - "Elyon" is used to describe the division of peoples and the setting of boundaries, where it refers to one who is above others, guiding and controlling them.
Joshua 16:5 - "Elyon" is used in a geographical context, indicating "upper" Bet Horon, distinguishing it from the lower part of the city.
This usage shows that "Elyon" simply means "above" in a literal sense.
Ezekiel 41:7 - "Elyon" is used to describe the upper part of a building, again emphasizing its non-superlative, concrete meaning.
Biglino concludes that "Elyon" refers not to the "Most High" in a superlative sense, but rather to a governor or leader who is above others, observing and guiding them like a shepherd with his flock.
He stresses that to avoid unnecessary debate, readers should replace "Most High" with "Elyon" when encountering it in the Bible, as this will lead to a clearer and more faithful reading of the text.
Biglino finishes by reiterating his advice for reading the Bible: replace "Most High" with "Elyon" and "God" with "Elohim" to achieve a more accurate and uncontroversial understanding of the text, in line with the intentions of the ancient authors.
Biglino suggests that the "malakhim," or angels, were likely part of a military hierarchy under the command of the Elohim, with Elyon as the supreme commander.
In the Hebrew scriptures the presiding figure is identified by a mysterious name, El Elyon.
So my Zambian friends will not be surprised that when we go to the root meaning of the Hebrew word elyon we find the concept of being above.
Though conventionally translated as “the highest” or “the Most High,” elyon is more strictly a relative term which means “above the others” or “higher than the rest.”
"When the Most High (Elyon) gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.
In this passage, "Elyon" refers to "the Most High," which is a title used for God, and "YHWH" (Yahweh) refers to the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible.
Behanchel Elyon goyim behafrido benei adam yatzev gevulot amim lemispar benei Yisrael.
בְּהַנְחֵל עֶלְיוֹן (Behanchel Elyon): "When the Most High apportioned" or "gave as an inheritance."
Meaning: The term Elyon means "Most High" and is often used as a title for God to emphasize His supreme power and authority over all other beings and gods.
Usage: Elyon is frequently used in conjunction with other names for God to highlight His exalted status, such as in "El Elyon" (God Most High).
Elyon emphasizes God's supreme status and is often used in contexts that highlight His exalted position over all things.
The Hebrew term עֶלְיוֹן (Elyon) can be translated in various ways, depending on the context and emphasis.
Here are some alternative translations for Elyon:
The term Elyon (עֶלְיוֹן) is used in several places in the Hebrew Bible, primarily to denote God's supreme status and authority.
Here are some notable instances where Elyon is used:
Context: Melchizedek, king of Salem, is described as a priest of "God Most High" (El Elyon) when he blesses Abram.
He was priest of God Most High (El Elyon).
And he blessed him and said, 'Blessed be Abram by God Most High (El Elyon), Possessor of heaven and earth.'"
Verse: "When the Most High (Elyon) gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God."
Verse: "I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High (Elyon)."
Verse: "I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High (Elyon)."
Verse: "The Lord thundered from heaven, and the Most High (Elyon) uttered His voice."
Verse: "For the Lord Most High (Elyon) is awesome, a great King over all the earth."
Verse: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High (Elyon) will abide in the shadow of the Almighty."
Verse: "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High (Elyon)."
These instances illustrate how Elyon is used to emphasize God's supreme authority, power, and exalted nature across various contexts in the Hebrew Bible.
When the Most High (Elyon) gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.
El Elyon (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן) - God Most High
Deuteronomy 32:8-9 and related “desert portion” readings place Israel as YHWH’s allotted people under Elyon.
Before exclusive YHWH worship dominates, the Hebrew trail still carries El titles: El Shaddai, El Elyon, El Olam.
The Book of the Laws of YHWH included undisguised narratives of elohim, Elyon the Captain, Shaddai the Destroyer, CH-CH the Dragon, Asherah, Baal, Dagon, the moloch child-sacrifices, and the whole kaleidoscopic memory of the seba hassamayim.