Royal We and Majestic Plural
The "Royal We" or "Majestic Plural," is a form of speech used by rulers or leaders of states and countries to indicate that they are speaking in their official capacity. It references the plural form of the personal pronoun “we”, which has been used throughout history as an expression of power and authority. This form of address was particularly popular in monarchies from the 12th century to the 17th century but continues to be used on certain occasions today.
There are four verses in the Bible where God refers to Himself using the Majestic Plural: Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3:22, Genesis 11:7, and Isaiah 6:8.
Trinitarians use verses from the Bible that contain the word “Us” to argue for a triune Godhead. They believe that since God used a plural pronoun, it must mean there is more than one person within the Godhead. However, they fail to take into consideration the language and translation of The King James Bible, written in the 16th century. Therefore, while it appears on the surface that these verses are evidence of multiple persons within the Godhead, they may not actually be referring to other persons at all. In fact, they may simply point towards an acknowledgment by God of His divine nature and power. Thus, it is important to look beyond the surface-level interpretation of these verses in order to get a better understanding of what God was really trying to communicate.
The power of God's words in Genesis 1:26 is evident when He declared, "Let us make man in our image," using the Hebrew word "Amar" (aw mar). This conveys a great force, asserting that His will be done. Additionally, the term "make" comes from the Hebrew word "Awah" (aw saw) which conveys bringing forth or creating something. Thus, when God said these words, he was creating something new and powerful.
God's power and creativity were further evidenced by His ability to bring humans into existence with a few simple words. This is why it is so important to pay attention to what we are speaking; if God can create something as significant as humanity with mere speech, then we too should be careful in our words, for they may have a powerful effect.
What's interesting about this passage is that there is no Hebrew translation for the words "let us." So, who were these words directed towards? Was God speaking to another person, his angels, or something else? The answer lies in the “Royal We.” When God said, "Let us make", it was a form of the "Royal We" that conveyed his sovereign authority over His creation. This was a way of God stating that He had the power and authority to create the universe out of nothing but His spoken word.
Other examples of the “Royal We” or “Majestic Plural” are:
- Queen Victoria was famous for saying, "We are not amused," when she heard a joke that was offensive.
- In the Quran, when Allah referred to himself as "we", the Muslims say that he was referring to his power and majesty.
- In Hindustani, the majestic plural is used when an elder speaks to someone who is younger than he is.
Today, we don't refer to ourselves in the third person, as an all-encompassing "Royal We". This is why many people misinterpret passages in the Bible where God speaks about himself using the word "we" and assume he must be referring to another entity within his divinity. Instead, it serves as a reminder of his ultimate power and sovereignty over all.