henoteism

Henoteism is a religious concept that describes the belief in one supreme god while not denying the existence of other gods. It differs from monotheism, which asserts the absolute existence of only one god, and polytheism, which acknowledges the worship of multiple deities. In henotheistic systems, a particular god is elevated above others and is the primary object of worship, but the existence of other divine beings is still accepted. This means that while one god is considered supreme, others may be recognized as subordinate, ancestral, or even complementary figures. The focus of devotion is on this single, supreme deity, and other gods may be relegated to secondary or even forgotten roles within the religious framework. Historically, henotheism has been identified in various ancient religious traditions, including aspects of early Israelite religion where Yahweh was worshipped as the supreme god, alongside the acknowledgement of other deities in the surrounding cultures. It is a nuanced theological position that falls between exclusive monotheism and widespread polytheism.