henothiestic

Henothiestic is a term that describes a philosophical or theological concept related to the worship of a single god while not necessarily denying the existence of other deities. This contrasts with monotheism, which asserts the existence of only one god, and polytheism, which acknowledges the existence of multiple gods. In henothiestic belief systems, a devotee might focus their worship and reverence on one supreme deity, perhaps considering them the ultimate or creator god, without explicitly stating that other gods do not exist. These other deities might be viewed as lesser, subordinate, or simply not relevant to the devotee's spiritual path.

Historically, some scholars have applied the term henothiestic to various ancient religious practices, particularly in the context of early Israelite religion where the worship of Yahweh became paramount, even if other Canaanite deities were acknowledged or believed to exist. It suggests a period or a mode of worship where a particular god is elevated above all others in a pantheon, becoming the object of exclusive devotion for a specific group or individual, without necessarily engaging in polemics against other divine beings. The concept is complex and its application can be debated among historians and theologians.