Elohim

“Elohim” is the normal Hebrew word for God in the Old Testament. It is plural in form, but is used with a singular verb when referring to the true God. The fact that a plural verb is used in Exodus 22:9 (“he whom the Elohim condemn”), and the fact that the other verses [Exod.21:6, 22:8-9] have the definite article with the word Elohim would indicate that Elohim is not a proper name in these verses, but a reference to human judges.  Psalm 82 is another passage where human judges are called Elohim. In verse 1 God “judges among the gods” (NKJB). In verse 6 “I said, ‘You are gods.’” The English translations are very inconsistent in the translation of these verses. In Exodus 21 the NKJB has “judges” while the NASB has “God” as the translation. In Exodus 22 they have “judges” while the NRSV renders it “God.” In Psalm 82 the NKJB, NIV, NRSV, and JND translate it “gods,” but the NASB has “rulers.”  That Psalm 82 is a reference to human judges is clear from an examination of the Psalm which is an indictment against unjust judges who are called “Elohim.” These judges were GOD’s representatives, acting in his authority and in his name. In Deuteronomy 1:17 Moses says, “the judgment is God’s.” In Genesis 9:6 the authority to judge over life and death was transferred to man. But God did not give up the right of judgment. Human authorities were his representatives and were called “gods” because of their unique relationship to him. They were gods, as Perowne says, “as His vice-regents, as embodying in themselves the majesty of the Law, as those in whom men look to find the most perfect earthly pattern of Divine attributes, of truth and justice, and mercy and impartiality.”

John H. Fish III, “God the Son,” The Emmaus Journal Vol.12/No.1, pg.32