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Monotheistic Judaism began in the southern Hebrew state of Judah. We know from The Bible that Judah was polytheistic until the reign of Hezekia, who made a failed attempt to impose monotheism in the 7th century BCE. Second Kings tells us that his son, Manasseh, allowed polytheism to flourish once again, evidence that monotheism had not taken root among the ordinary people.
Almost a century after Hezekia, King Josiah reinstituted the reforms of his ancestor. During this period, the "book of law", believed to be Deuteronomy was 'found' in the Temple during renovations. Scholars say that the D source (the Deuteronomist) lived during the reign of Josiah and not only completed much of the Pentateuch, but also wrote the Deuteronomic history - the Books of Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings. These reforms, the largely successful permanent reintroduction of monotheism and the substantial completion of major works of the Bible, could be regarded as the origin of monotheistic Judaism - late in the seventh century BCE.
However, it appears from the biblical accounts that polytheism still existed at the time of the Babylonian Exile at least a century later. The Persians, who conquered the Babylonians and freed the Jews to return to their homeland, were fiercely monotheistic and took an interest in the religious beliefs of the Jews. The Persians believed that it did not matter what name you gave to Ahura Mazda, as long as you worship him. We find the Persians funding the rebuilding of the Temple, sending the eunuch Nehemiah to assist the Jews, and Ezra needing to teach the Jews their own religion. There is llttle evidence of polytheism among the Jews from this time, apart from some references to Lady Wisdom, who had disappeared by the late first century CE.
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Is Animism monotheism or polytheism?
The animisim came first, then the polytheism and then the monotheism
How is polytheism different from monotheism?
Polytheism is the belief of many gods and monotheism is the belief of one god.
Is Shinto polytheism or monotheism?
Shinto believes in polytheism.
How was polytheism and monotheism?
According to my textbook, it says that polytheism is the belief of many gods and monotheism is the belief in only one god the similarity is that the polytheism believed in the god that the monotheism be lived in, and that was god.
What is monotheism's and polytheism?
Polytheism is belief in many Gods and monotheism is beief in only one God
What is an antonym for monotheism?
polytheism
Compare and Contrast polytheism and monotheism?
Monotheism is the belief in only one god Polytheism is the belief in many gods :)
What is monotheism What is polytheism Did the ancient Egyptians believe in monotheism or polytheism?
Monotheism is the belief in one god (Jews, Christians, Muslims). Polytheism is the belief in many gods(ancient Greece). Egypt also had a polytheistic religion.
What was the difference between polytheism and monotheism?
The difference is monotheism is belief in only one God and polytheism is the worship of many gods.
What do monotheism polytheism and reincarnation have to do with?
Religion :)
Was the traditional religion of Rome--polytheism or monotheism?
Polytheism was the traditional religion of rome.
What were the religious beliefs of the sumerians?
polytheism and monotheism
