Ep 4. Gods Who Were Human in Ancient Judaism

In season 1, episode 4 of How Jesus Became God, titled "Gods Who Were Human in Ancient Judaism," the focus shifts to Jewish beliefs and practices around the concept of divinity. The episode explores the notion of humans being invested with the power of the divine and examines different figures in Jewish scripture who were considered "gods" or "semi-divine."

The episode begins by examining the concept of "henotheism," which is the worship of one god while not denying the existence of other gods. This was a common practice in ancient Judaism, where multiple beings were considered divine. One example of this is the biblical figure of Enoch, who was said to have been taken up to heaven and become a "son of God." The episode delves into the history and context of this belief, which arose during a time of great political and social upheaval in ancient Israel.

The episode then turns to the figure of Moses, who was regarded as an intermediary between God and the people. The episode explores the different ways in which Moses was depicted in Jewish scripture, ranging from a human prophet to a figure invested with divine power. The episode also considers the important role that Moses played in the development of Jewish monotheism, as he helped to shape a belief in one God that would eventually become the cornerstone of the Jewish faith.

The episode then moves on to examine other figures in Jewish scripture that were considered "gods" or "semi-divine." One example is the angelic being known as Metatron, who was believed to have been elevated to divine status due to his proximity to God. The episode explores the various myths and legends surrounding Metatron and the role that he played in Jewish thought.

The episode also considers the figure of Solomon, who was regarded as one of the wisest men in Jewish history. The episode explores the various legends that surrounded Solomon, including the belief that he possessed the power to control demons and that he was able to communicate with animals. The episode also considers the role that Solomon played in the history of Jewish philosophy, as he was known for his wisdom and his exploration of the relationship between humans and the divine.

Overall, season 1, episode 4 of How Jesus Became God offers a fascinating look into Jewish beliefs and practices around divinity. The episode explores the different ways in which humans were invested with the power of the divine and the various figures in Jewish scripture that were considered "gods" or "semi-divine." The episode also considers the role that these beliefs played in the development of Jewish monotheism, which would eventually become one of the defining features of the Jewish faith.