Jewish people have always been firmly monotheistic—that is, they believe in one God and reject the idea of many gods. The central confession of Israel, found in Deuteronomy 6:4, declares,
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one."
Because of this strong commitment to the oneness of God, many Jewish people find the doctrine of the Trinity difficult to understand or accept.
This study is designed to demonstrate that the concept of the Trinity did not begin in the New Testament. Instead,
The Hebrew Scriptures themselves contain clear indications that within the one true God there exists a unity that includes three distinct persons.
The New Testament does not introduce a new idea about God—it reveals more fully what was already present in the Old Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures).
1. The Old Testament Teaches One God but Leaves Room for God in Three Persons
Key Text: Deuteronomy 6:4 — The Shema
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”
At first glance, this seems to rule out the Trinity. But the Hebrew word for one is important.
Two Hebrew Words for “One”
Yachid
Means a unity, an absolute unity, an absolute one
Example: Isaac called Abraham’s only son
Echad
Means a unity, but a composite unity made up of more than one
Can describe multiple persons forming one
Examples:
Genesis 2:24 — Husband and wife become one (echad) flesh
Evening and morning form one day
Conclusion
In the Shema, the holiest words in Judaism, the word used for the oneness of God is Echad, not Yachid. God is certainly One, but His oneness allows for plurality… the one God in three Persons.
2. God’s Name Shows Hints of Plurality
Elohim — A Plural Name
Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning God (Elohim) created...”
Important observations:
Elohim is grammatically plural
Yet it often takes singular verbs
This suggests plurality within unity
This does not prove the Trinity, but it opens the door for it.
3. God Speaks of Himself Using Plural Pronouns
These are some of the clearest hints of plurality.
Key Passages
Genesis 1:26
“Let Us make man in Our image.”
Genesis 3:22
“The man has become like one of Us.”
Genesis 11:7
“Let Us go down...”
Isaiah 6:8
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?”
Why This Matters
God:
Speaks as one (”I”)
Yet refers to multiple persons (”Us”)
This strongly suggests plurality within the one God.
4. The Angel of the LORD — A Divine Person Distinct From God
One of the strongest Old Testament evidences.
What Makes This Angel Unique?
The Angel of the LORD:
Speaks as God
Receives worship
Forgives sins
Is called God
Yet is distinct from God
No ordinary angel ever does this.
Key Examples
Hagar — Genesis 16
The Angel of the LORD says:
“I will multiply your descendants.”
Only God can make that promise.
Abraham — Genesis 22
The Angel says:
“You have not withheld your son from Me.”
Yet Scripture also calls Him the LORD.
Moses — Exodus 3 (Burning Bush)
The Angel appears
Then God speaks
The two are treated as the same divine person
This shows:
God is present — yet distinct from God.
Two LORDs — Genesis 19:24
“The LORD rained fire… from the LORD out of heaven.”
This strongly suggests:
Two divine persons sharing the same divine identity.
5. The Spirit of God Is Active in the Old Testament
The Holy Spirit is not a New Testament invention.
He appears throughout the Old Testament.
Creation — Genesis 1:2
“The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”
This shows:
The Spirit is active at creation
Not an impersonal force
The Spirit Speaks and Leads
Examples:
Nehemiah 9:20 — The Spirit instructs
Isaiah 63:10 — The Spirit is grieved
Joel 2:28 — God promises to pour out His Spirit
Important Insight
Only persons can be grieved.
This indicates:
The Spirit has personality.
6. Passages Showing Multiple Divine Persons Together
These are especially powerful.
Isaiah 48:16
“The Lord GOD and His Spirit have sent Me.”
Three persons appear:
The Speaker (Divine)
The LORD God
The Spirit
This strongly resembles:
Father — Son — Spirit
Isaiah 63:7–10
I shall make mention of the lovingkindnesses of the Lord… And the angel of His presence saved them… but they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit
Three figures appear:
The LORD
The Angel of His Presence
The Holy Spirit
All are involved in saving Israel.
This is one of the clearest Old Testament Trinity passages.
7. Messianic Passages Show Divine Relationships
These passages show God interacting with another divine figure.
Psalm 110:1
“The LORD said to my Lord...”
Two divine persons:
LORD (Yahweh)
My Lord (Adonai)
Jesus Himself used this passage to prove the Messiah is more than human.
Psalm 45:6–7
“Your throne, O God… therefore God, your God, has anointed you.”
God speaks to God.
This strongly suggests multiple divine persons.
Proverbs 30:4
“What is His name, and what is His Son’s name?”
A remarkable Old Testament reference to God’s Son.
8. The Trinity Is Present at Creation
Genesis reveals all three persons.
Genesis 1
We see:
God creates
Spirit moves over waters
Word speaks creation
Later Scripture confirms:
God creates by His Word
The Son is called the Word
Thus:
Father — Spirit — Word
All active in creation.
9. The Trinity Is Hinted in Worship Language
Threefold Praise — Isaiah 6:3
“Holy, holy, holy.”
Threefold repetition emphasizes:
Complete holiness
Possible reflection of three divine persons
Priestly Blessing — Numbers 6:24–26
The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.’
“The LORD…” repeated three times.
Many scholars see:
Threefold blessing → One God
10. Summary Argument — The Trinity Is Found in the Old Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures)
The Old Testament reveals:
1. One God
Clear throughout Scripture.
2. Plurality Within God
Seen in:
Names
Pronouns
Divine conversations
3. Multiple Divine Persons
Seen in:
The Angel of the LORD
The Spirit of God
Messianic figures
4. Three Persons Appearing Together
Seen in:
Isaiah 48
Isaiah 63
Final Conclusion
The Trinity is not only a New Testament truth.
Instead:
The Old Testament introduces the concept
The New Testament clarifies the persons
Together, they reveal the full nature of God
Or stated simply:
The Trinity is hidden in the Old Testament and revealed in the New. ✨
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit… the Triune God intent on offering salvation to all who accept His merciful and gracious provision for our sin through faith in Jesus the Son.
And so we close with the marvelous words of a great hymn authored by Thomas Ken in 1674:
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
—Stuart
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I think Isaiah is my favorite book of the OT. Thank you for all your insights. They help us when questioned.
Pastor Stuart, thanks for your
Insight and sharing it with us.