ext_113505 ([identity profile] virtual-olav.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] deird_lj 2006-11-12 10:48 am (UTC)

The term 'sons of El' is attested in the tablets from Ugarit, and the Biblical 'sons of Elohim' presumably has a comparable meaning.

The reference was to celestial beings who stood below God Himself but above human beings ('sons of Adam'). Today we would call them angels, but that word is already used for a different Hebrew term.

Gen 6:1-4 attributes the existence of demigods - the nephilim ('giants' or 'fallen ones') and/or gibborim ('heroes') - to miscegenation between these celestials and mortals.

David's lament for Saul and Jonathan in 2 Sam 19-27 links both terms ("How have the mighty fallen!") and applies it to the death of kings.

Post a comment in response:

This account has disabled anonymous posting.
If you don't have an account you can create one now.
HTML doesn't work in the subject.
More info about formatting