hennotheist

Hennotheism is a religious concept that acknowledges the existence of many gods but considers one particular god to be supreme or the most important. This is distinct from monotheism, which believes in only one god, and polytheism, which believes in multiple gods without necessarily elevating one above the others. In hennotheistic systems, while other deities may be recognized and even worshipped, the focus of ultimate devotion or the primary source of divine power is attributed to a single, preeminent god.

The term "henotheism" was coined by German Indologist Max Müller in the 19th century to describe certain aspects of ancient Vedic religion in India. He observed that Vedic hymns often addressed a single deity as the supreme being for the duration of the hymn, even though other gods were also prominent in the pantheon. This suggests a devotional practice where one god is elevated above others at a particular time or within a specific context. While it originated in discussions of Hinduism, the concept has been applied to other religious traditions where a similar hierarchical structure of deities is evident. It's important to note that whether a religion is strictly hennotheistic or a blend of hennotheistic and polytheistic elements can be a subject of scholarly debate.