Was the idea of a divine council—an assembly of heavenly beings under God's rule—central to ancient Israelite religion, or merely poetic remnants of earlier polytheism? In this episode of Five-Minute Debate, Dr. Miriam Katz argues that the Hebrew Bible reflects a divine council worldview rooted in both Israelite and broader Near Eastern traditions. Dr. Benjamin Hale counters, asserting that such passages are metaphorical and ultimately subordinate to the Bible’s trajectory toward uncompromising monotheism. Join us for a fast-paced, thought-provoking exchange on Psalm 82, Job, Genesis 6, and the theological evolution of Israel’s faith.
