Israelite religion was not initially monotheistic.
Group of answer choices True False
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct answer: True
The Israelite religion was not initially monotheistic. In its early stages, the Israelites practiced a form of religion known as henotheism, which involved the worship of one god while acknowledging the existence of other gods. This is evident in several parts of the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures. Early Israelite religion was centered around the worship of Yahweh as the chief god, but there were references to other gods being acknowledged, such as Baal, Asherah, and Molech.
The shift towards monotheism, the belief in and worship of only one God, occurred gradually over time, particularly during and after the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BCE. This period marked a significant transformation in the religious consciousness of the Israelites. The destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem and the subsequent exile to Babylon forced the Israelites to rethink their religious identity, and during this time, monotheism became more firmly established. Prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel were instrumental in promoting the idea of Yahweh as the sole and only true God, rejecting the worship of other gods.
The transition from polytheism to monotheism is reflected in the Hebrew Bible’s development, where earlier texts reflect a more polytheistic or henotheistic worldview, while later texts emphasize the exclusive worship of Yahweh. By the time of the Second Temple period, which began in the late 6th century BCE, monotheism was firmly established as a defining characteristic of the Israelite faith, laying the foundation for Judaism as it is known today.