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Trinity

The Trinity (Echad)

The Old Testament reveals one God in plural unity—echad—with divine plurality in creation, the Angel of the Lord, and the Spirit.

Key verses

  • Deuteronomy 6:4
    Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one (echad).
  • Genesis 1:26
    Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.'
  • Genesis 3:22
    The LORD God said, 'Behold, the man has become like one of us.'

The Trinity in the Old Testament

The Hebrew word echad (one) in Deuteronomy 6:4 denotes a unified plurality—as in "one cluster of grapes" (Numbers 13:23). Israel's confession is that Yahweh is one, yet the OT repeatedly shows divine plurality.

Plural language for God

  • Genesis 1:26 — "Let us make man in our image." God speaks within Himself.
  • Genesis 3:22 — "The man has become like one of us."
  • Genesis 11:7 — "Let us go down and confuse their language."
  • Isaiah 6:8 — "Whom shall I send? … And who will go for us?"

The Angel of the Lord

In many passages the Angel of the Lord is distinct from God yet is called God and receives worship (Genesis 16, 22; Exodus 3; Judges 6). This pre-incarnate presence points to the Son.

The Spirit of God

The Spirit appears at creation (Genesis 1:2), in the prophets, and in Psalm 51. Together with the Word and the Angel, the OT lays the groundwork for the revelation of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—one God, three persons—fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah.