henotheism

Henotheism is a religious system in which adherents worship one god as supreme within a broader framework of multiple deities. The term derives from Greek: hen meaning one and theos meaning god, and is used in scholarly literature to describe belief in a single god while others are believed to exist. Henotheism is distinct from monotheism, which denies the existence of other gods, and from polytheism, which publicly worships multiple gods as equals. It is also related to monolatry, the practice of worshiping one god without denying the existence of others.

Overview: In henotheistic systems, the chosen god is central in cult, ritual, and myth, often tied to a particular tribe, city, or nation, while other deities are recognized as real though less prominent. The supreme deity’s status can be political as well as ritual, reflecting the social structure and religious priorities of a community.

Historical usage: In Vedic religion, some scholars describe the early stage as henotheistic: communities worship a primary deity such as Indra while not denying others. In the Hebrew Bible, some scholars describe the early Israelite religion as henotheistic—worshiping Yahweh as supreme while acknowledging other gods—before the development of exclusive monotheism. In ancient polytheistic cultures such as Greece or Canaan, cults sometimes center on a city’s patron deity, giving him or her prominence without denying the existence of others.

Modern usage: The label is debated; some scholars prefer to describe these forms as monolatry or as transitional phases toward monotheism. Henotheism remains a useful term for describing devotion to a single god within a multigod framework.