Hebrew scholar Michael Heiser Ph.D. and a number of other scholars have researched the subject of a Divine council of Elohim in depth. "Before the exile, Israelite religion affirmed a council of gods...after the exile, the gods became angels...170 instances of plural Elohim...(occur) in the Qumran (Essene) material alone. Many of these instances are in the context of a heavenly council. If a divine council of gods had ceased to exist in Israelite religion by the end of the exile, how does one account for these references?" Are Yahweh and El Distinct Deities? Heiser, Michael S. Ph.D. See link below. Traditional scholarship does not usually recognize a council of Elohim in the Bible. Considering some changes made by the Sopherim, however, (see Plural verbs with Elohim as God), to verses mentioning YHWH and the Elohim as different entities in the same context (including Isa. 7:13; 44:6; 48:1; Ps. 97:7&9; 138:1&5;); there are some scholars who subscribe to the school of thought that the Bible discusses such a council, examples of some verses mentioning them include Ps. 89:5-7 & Dan. 4:8; 5:11 (These verses must be read in Hebrew or an interlinear version for accurate comparison see [ - ]

Hebrew scholar Michael Heiser Ph.D. and a number of other scholars have researched the subject... [ + ]