henotheisme

Henotheism is a term used in the study of religion to describe a pattern in which a particular group or tradition worships one god as supreme or primary, while not denying the existence or reality of other gods. The word comes from Greek origins: henos meaning "one" and theos meaning "god." In scholarly usage, henotheism denotes devotion to a single deity within a broader polytheistic framework, rather than the outright denial of other divine beings.

The concept is distinct from monotheism, which asserts that only one god exists, and from polytheism, which accepts multiple gods without exclusive devotion to any single one. Some scholars also contrast henotheism with monolatry, the practice of worshipping one god while recognizing the existence of others; in practice, the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, though henotheism often emphasizes a chosen supreme deity within a polytheistic milieu.

Historically, henotheistic patterns are discussed in relation to several religious traditions. In ancient Hinduism, for example, devotees have focused devotion on a particular god (such as Vishnu or Shiva) while acknowledging other deities. In the study of the Hebrew Bible, some scholars have described early Israelite religion as henotheistic or monolatrous, whereas others see it as moving toward monotheism. Similar tendencies have been proposed for certain ancient Egyptian or Greek cults, where a primary deity held preeminence within a broader pantheon.

In modern scholarship, henotheism is used as a descriptive label for historical religious dynamics, rather than as a credential of any specific creed.