"Son of God" in the Hebrew Scriptures

By Alan Gilman

The following is a list of referances taken from the Hebrew scriptures (also called Tenach, Jewish Bible, or Old Testament) the support the idea of God’s having a Son. For a discussion on this issue, see Can God Have a Son?.

Genesis 1:26: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.

This is not an explicate reference to “God’s Son,” but suggests a complexity within the nature of God as opposed to the idea in traditional rabbinic thought that he is an absolute singularity

Deuteronomy 6:4: Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

The Hebrew word for “one” here is “echad,” suggesting a complex unity (as in “one army”) as opposed to the Hebrew word “yachid” which is the word for an absolute singular (as in “one stick.”).

2 Samuel 7:14: I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son.

Primary reference is to Solomon, but the context suggests a greater Son of God is in view.

Psalm 2:7: I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.”

Similar to 2 Samuel 7:14, this demonstrates that the “Son” concept is not contrary to the Hebrew Scriptures.

Psalm 2:12: Kiss the son

This passage is controversial. Most Christian translation use “son,” which may indeed be correct even though some scholars and Jewish English translations will use other words instead of “son.” The controversy is due to the use of the Aramaic word for son (“bar”) instead of the Hebrew “son” (ben).

Proverbs 30:4: Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name? Surely you know!

This passage speaks for itself. God has a son.

Isaiah 9:6: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Interesting language here. “A son is given” may suggest his preexistence, and the following extensive, descriptive name intimately connects this special king with God himself.

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Above scriptures are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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