Monolatrialismi

Monolatrialism is a religious concept that describes the belief in the existence of many gods, but the worship of only one. This is distinct from monotheism, which asserts the existence of only one god, and polytheism, which acknowledges and worships multiple gods. In a monolatrial system, adherents might recognize the deities of other pantheons as real but choose to dedicate their exclusive devotion to a single, chosen god. This chosen deity is often seen as the supreme god or the god of a particular people or nation.

The concept is often discussed in the context of ancient Near Eastern religions, particularly early Israelite religion. Scholars have debated whether the ancient Israelites initially practiced monolatry before developing a strictly monotheistic faith. Evidence for this view is sometimes found in biblical texts that acknowledge the existence of other gods while commanding worship only of Yahweh. However, interpreting ancient religious practices is complex, and other scholars argue for an earlier or simultaneous development of monotheistic ideas.

Monolatry offers a framework for understanding religious transitions where a society may have had a pantheon of deities but gradually elevated one to a position of exclusive worship. It suggests a gradual shift in religious focus rather than an abrupt change in the understanding of divine existence. While not a widely adopted term in contemporary religious discourse, it serves as a useful analytical tool for scholars of ancient religion and comparative mythology.