Detailed Proofs From The Bible That God Is Triune

Old Testament Teachings of the Trinity

The word 'trinity' is not used in the Bible, but the doctrine of the tri-unity of God is clearly taught in the New Testament. The Old Testament does not explicitly teach the doctrine. Still, the concept of the Trinity is hinted at in certain places in the Hebrew concept of plurality in unity, which lays a foundation for the future revelation revealed in the New Testament of the Trinity.

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

The singular word "LORD" in Hebrew is 'Yahweh' and is coupled with the plural "our God" 'Elohim.' The Hebrew word translated as "one" is 'ehad,' which means 'one' or 'unity;' however, the word is also used in other contexts to suggest a plurality within unity. The Hebrew word 'ehad' also appears in Genesis 2:24, which considers two persons as one: "[A man] is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one [ehad]" (NLT). Clearly, the husband and wife are distinct persons, but they are called "one," showing there is diversity within the unity.

The Names for God

One of the Hebrew names for "God" in the Bible, 'Elohim,' is plural in form. The 'im' suffix is plural, and Elohim, when not referring to the One True God, is translated as "gods" (plural). The plural form of a name for the One God could be seen as implying a perfect unity of Persons and is consistent with the New Testament teaching of the Trinity. The Hebrew word 'Adonai,' translated as "Lord," occurs about 300 times in the Old Testament and is also plural.

The Appearances of the Angel of the Lord

In several places, the Old Testament records encounters with someone called "the Angel of the Lord." This supernatural presence speaks as if He is God, identifies Himself with God, and exercises the responsibilities of God.

"I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude." (Genesis 16:10 ESV)

The Angel of the Lord said to Hagar that God is the One who blesses Ishmael, but it's the Angel of the Lord who personally makes the promise to his mother.

The same Angel of the Lord appears to Abraham and assumes the role of God, saying,

"for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." (Genesis 22:12b - see also Ex 3:2; Judges 2:1-4; 5:23; 6:11–24;13:3-22; 2 Samuel 24:16; Zechariah 1:12; 3:1; 12:8).

In several passages, those who see the Angel of the Lord fear for their lives because they have "seen the Lord." The Angel of the Lord was no mere angel. Viewed through the lens of the New Testament teaching of the Trinity, it's easy to conclude that the Angel of the Lord could be a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus.

Descriptions of the Spirit of God

The post-exilic Levites speak of the Spirit of God as being sent by God and speaking for God:

"You also gave Your good Spirit to instruct them" (Nehemiah 9:20, NKJV);

"Many years you bore with them and warned them by your Spirit through your prophets." (Nehemiah 9:30 ESV - see also Isaiah 48:16; 63:10).

Both verses seem to make a distinction between God and another personality called the Spirit of God.

God's Self-References

Most of the time, God speaks of Himself using singular pronouns (Exodus 33:19; Hosea 11:9); at other times, He uses plural pronouns:

"Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness" (Genesis 1:26a ESV).

"Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil.'" (Genesis 3:22 ESV).

"Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech." (Genesis 11:7 ESV)

"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here I am! Send me." (Isaiah 6:8 ESV)

Each of the verses reveals that God is using the majestic plural to emphasize His power and greatness and implies He reveals different personalities existing as a unified whole.

Messianic Passages

"The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool." (Psalm 110:1 ESV).

Yahweh is speaking to Adonai and giving Him the place of highest honor in Heaven. Jesus pointed to this Psalm as proof that the Messiah is more than David's descendant - He is the pre-existent Lord and much greater than David (see also Matthew 22:41-45).

"Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions" (Psalm 45:6–7 ESV)