Henotheism is a form of religious belief that acknowledges the existence of many gods but elevates one deity to a supreme position without necessarily denying the worth or existence of the others. This term, coined by the German philosopher Max Müller, describes a stage in the development of some religious traditions that might evolve from polytheism to monotheism.
The ancient Hebrew religion, as depicted in various texts of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), shows signs that could be interpreted as henotheistic. Initially, the Hebrews may have recognized the existence of other gods but believed in the supremacy of Yahweh, their national deity (Becker, 2024). Scholars have pointed to several Bible verses that suggest this henotheistic orientation.
For example, in Exodus 20:2-3, as part of the Ten Commandments, it states, “I am the LORD your God… You shall have no other gods before me.” This could imply the presence of other gods, yet places Yahweh as the primary deity that the Israelites are to worship. Additionally, Psalm 82:1 says, “God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment.” This verse may refer to a divine assembly, indicating the existence of other gods subordinate to Yahweh.
Moreover, Deuteronomy 32:8-9 hints at a divine council and the distribution of nations to different gods, with the Lord’s portion being Israel: “When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided humanity, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. But the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage.” This passage could suggest a henotheistic worldview where Yahweh is seen as the chief deity among others, specifically chosen by the people of Israel.
Over time, the Hebrew religion evolved toward a more exclusive monotheism, emphasizing the oneness of God and rejecting all other gods as nonexistent or false idols. This transition can also be traced in the Hebrew Bible, where later texts increasingly stress the sole existence of Yahweh as the one true God, as in the well-known declaration in the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”
Reference
Becker, M. L. (2024). Fundamental Theology. Bloomsbury Publishing.