I learned Hebrew as a child and forgot most of it. But I do have the advantage of you on that!

I don't think the majestic plural was made up any more than the royal we is made up.

People do weird things with grammar when power relations are concerned. And as for the elohim meaning "deities," yes, that's exactly what I said: "'elohim' refers to various gods of the Hebrews' pagan neighbors, such as the Canaanites' Baal."

There is actually a strong feminine aspect to god in mystical Judaism, and "el Shaddai" is part of it, I think. Oddly, Leonard Nimoy was involved in a book about this a few years ago...the second time Spock has come up on this thread!