What does henotheism mean?

Definition and Etymology

Henotheism typically refers to the religious viewpoint in which a person recognizes the existence of multiple deities yet devotes worship to one particular god as supreme. The term draws from Greek roots—“hen” (one) and “theos” (god)—and is sometimes described as a midpoint between strict monotheism (belief in one God) and polytheism (belief in many gods). While henotheism acknowledges a pantheon, it gives primacy to a single deity out of that pantheon.

Historical Context and Ancient Near Eastern Practices

Many ancient cultures of the Near East exhibited varying forms of worship that could be considered henotheistic. For instance, in parts of Mesopotamia, a city-state might revere one chief god (e.g., Marduk in Babylon) while not necessarily denying the existence of deities in neighboring regions. Similarly, some Egyptian practices elevated one deity (such as Amun-Ra) above others without discarding the concept of a broader pantheon.

Archaeological discoveries—such as Egyptian stelae detailing devotion to a principal god or cuneiform inscriptions from Mesopotamia lauding their local patron deity—shed light on these practices. These artifacts, housed in various museums around the world (including the British Museum and the Louvre), highlight the cultural context within which the Hebrew Scriptures emerged.

Henotheism in the Ancient Near East and Its Misinterpretation

Some scholars have suggested that early Hebrew worship might have resembled henotheism, pointing to passages where God is extolled as “above all gods,” as in Psalm 86:8. However, closer analysis of the Hebrew texts calls into question this reading. When the Bible speaks of other “gods,” it often does so to illustrate the emptiness of idols or to reference spiritual entities considered counterfeit. Numerous passages explicitly emphasize that the God of Scripture is alone the Creator and sustainer of the universe (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 44:24).

In the context of the Ancient Near East—where virtually every culture was polytheistic—biblical monotheism stood as a radical departure. The work of textual scholars (including research on ancient Hebrew manuscripts recovered near Qumran, often referred to collectively as the Dead Sea Scrolls) reveals the consistent thread of monotheism in the biblical text.

Scriptural Contrasts and the Biblical Affirmation of Monotheism

Scripture portrays God as utterly unique and unrivaled:

• Deuteronomy 6:4 declares: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.”

• Isaiah 45:5 proclaims: “I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me.”

These verses do not merely state that God holds the highest rank among others; rather, they affirm that there is truly only one God. When the Ten Commandments instruct, “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3), the text is not acknowledging other divine beings as peers to the Lord; instead, it charges the Israelites not to place counterfeit gods—including man-made idols—anywhere near the rightful worship of Yahweh.

Exploring Occurrences of “Gods” in the Bible

Certain Old Testament passages use the word “gods,” especially in contexts where pagan beliefs or false idols are addressed. For example:

• Psalm 96:5 states: “For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.”

• Exodus 12:12 includes the phrase “on all the gods of Egypt,” demonstrating that the plagues of Egypt were divine judgments demonstrating Yahweh’s supremacy over powerless idols.

In each instance, the scriptural writers explain that these “gods” are not legitimate deities. Rather, the biblical narrative uses the language of surrounding cultures to show that the God of Israel stands entirely apart and has no equal.

Philosophical and Theological Implications

From a systematic viewpoint, henotheism does not align with the overarching teaching of the Bible, which consistently affirms one self-existent Creator. This monotheistic stance is reinforced by key doctrines such as:

1. God’s eternal nature: Genesis 1:1 highlights that God created the heavens and the earth, indicating there were no other deities to share in this act of creation.

2. God’s redemptive plan: The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4) display the unique authority, power, and love of God. No other so-called deity in ancient literature or modern claims offers an atonement comparable to Christ’s sacrifice.

3. The Holy Spirit’s role: Scripture reveals the Holy Spirit as co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son (e.g., Matthew 28:19), further underlining the singular nature of God’s being.

Archaeological and Historical Evidence for Monotheism

Archaeological research adds weight to the conclusion that Israel’s faith was uniquely monotheistic.

• Excavations at sites like Hazor and Megiddo have revealed remnants of Canaanite religious objects side by side with Israelite artifacts, but the biblical witness consistently condemns idolatry (Judges 2:11–13), reinforcing a contrast between Israel’s worship of one God and the Canaanites’ pantheon.

• The discovery of the Tel Dan Stele and other ancient inscriptions referencing the “House of David” underscores the historicity of Israel’s monarchy, situating biblical narratives of God’s covenant people firmly within recorded history.

Why Henotheism Falls Short of the Biblical Portrait

On the surface, passages that sound henotheistic can be misinterpreted if read out of context. In actuality, biblical revelation consistently identifies “other gods” as idols or fabricated objects of worship. The biblical narrative, from Genesis to Revelation, sets forth that there is only one true and living God who created all things (Revelation 4:11), guides history, and alone is worthy of worship.

Conclusion

Henotheism is a belief system acknowledging many gods but uplifting one deity above all others. While this concept existed in the broader context of the ancient world, the Bible stands firmly against it, teaching that there is only one true God. The language that sometimes appears “henotheistic” often serves to highlight the emptiness of idols and false deities, thereby emphasizing the unrivaled authority of the God who reveals Himself in Scripture.

From earliest times, archaeological discoveries, textual criticism, and the internal witness of the Bible itself align to confirm and celebrate the singular, exclusive nature of the God who made heaven and earth. The consistency of the biblical message, mirrored across thousands of manuscripts and reinforced by historical and archaeological finds, underscores that Scripture advances a monotheistic understanding of God—far removed from henotheism. This message shapes the core convictions of those who hold to the Bible as God’s unique and trustworthy revelation to humanity.