monolatrialismissa

Monolatrialism is a religious concept that acknowledges the existence of multiple gods but asserts that only one god is worthy of worship. This is distinct from monotheism, which believes in only one god, and polytheism, which worships multiple gods. In monolatrialism, while other deities may be recognized, devotion is exclusively directed towards a single, supreme deity.

This form of religious practice can be observed in various ancient cultures. For instance, some scholars interpret certain periods of ancient Israelite religion as exhibiting monolatrial tendencies, where Yahweh was worshiped as the supreme God, even if the existence of other deities was not outright denied. The focus remained on covenant and worship directed solely to Yahweh.

The distinction between monolatry and monotheism is subtle but significant. Monolatry implies a belief in the *possible* existence of other gods, but a *chosen* worship of one. Monotheism, conversely, posits that only one god *actually* exists. Historically, monolatry can be seen as a potential precursor or transitional phase towards full monotheism, as the exclusive focus on one deity could eventually lead to the conceptualization of that deity as the sole existing divine being. The concept helps explain the complex religious dynamics of societies that appear to worship one god while retaining remnants of polytheistic traditions.