henothéisme

Henotheism, also written henothéisme in some languages, is a religious concept that describes devotion to one god as supreme within a broader belief in multiple gods. In henotheistic systems, adherents worship a single deity as the highest god while acknowledging the existence of other deities who are worshipped or revered in different contexts. The term is primarily used as a descriptive, not prescriptive, label in the study of ancient religions.

Henotheism differs from monotheism, which asserts that only one god exists, and from polytheism, which regards many gods as equally divine and active. Henotheism can be seen as a transitional or situational stance, elevating one god in a particular community or era without denying the reality of others.

Historically, the concept was introduced by 19th-century scholars, notably Friedrich Max Müller, to characterize certain patterns in ancient Israelite religion and in some strands of Hindu practice. In some periods or texts, Yahweh is presented as Israel’s national god while other deities are acknowledged but not worshipped in the same cultic role. In Hinduism, certain traditions elevate a particular deity as supreme while recognizing others as aspects or manifestations of the divine.

Scholarly use of the term remains debated: some argue that the label captures real features of belief, while others view it as an oversimplification of complex religious systems. See also monotheism, monolatry, polytheism.