The Book of Enoch expands on the biblical "sons of God" by referring to them as Watchers

The concept of a "divine council" is an intriguing aspect of ancient religious texts. Some say the "gods" Bal and other were a part of this council before being cast out.

Particularly in the context of the Hebrew Bible, the Book of Enoch, and other related literature.

Hebrew Bible
Psalms 82:1: This passage is often cited regarding the divine council. It speaks of God standing in the assembly of divine beings, or "gods," and pronouncing judgment. This suggests a heavenly court where decisions are made and authority is exercised.

Job 1:6-12 and Job 2:1-6: These passages describe the "sons of God" presenting themselves before Yahweh, one of whom is Satan. This assembly functions almost like a gathering of celestial advisors or witnesses.

1 Kings 22:19-22: Here, Micaiah describes a vision of Yahweh on His throne with all the host of heaven standing by, depicting a council where spirits discuss the fate of Ahab.

Book of Enoch
The Book of Enoch, an ancient Jewish text, frequently details interactions between heavenly beings and the human realm:

Watchers: The Book of Enoch expands on the biblical "sons of God" by referring to them as Watchers, heavenly beings who fall from grace by interacting with humans. Some interpretations view these beings as part of the divine council before their fall.

Heavenly Orders: Enoch describes elaborate hierarchies and orders of angels and celestial beings, providing a detailed vision of divine assembly and governance.

Other Texts and Contexts
Ugaritic Texts: These ancient Near Eastern texts refer to a divine council led by the god El, which included deities like Baal. These texts parallel some Hebrew Bible descriptions, indicating a shared cultural motif in the ancient Near East.

Deuteronomy 32:8-9: The Dead Sea Scrolls version of this text suggests that the "Most High" apportioned the nations according to the number of the "sons of God," implying a division of rulership among divine entities.

The idea of a divine council posits a structured, hierarchical system of celestial governance, reflecting early polytheistic influences and eventually evolving within monotheistic frameworks. This concept allows for exploring how different traditions imagined divine interaction with the world and humanity.