Hebrews Monotheistic or Polytheistic?

Question

Were the Hebrews Monotheistic or Polytheistic? According to my teachers study guide they are Polytheistic but according to the book they are Monotheistic. Pg 78 states "Unlike the other groups around them, who were polytheist the Hebrews were monotheist. They prayed to only one god." "The Hebrews proclaimed Yahweh as the one and only God." Am I missing something like pre-Abraham?

Answer 1

It was pre-Abraham since Abraham started the Monotheistic "movement". He actually was the father of 3 different religions. Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The three "bibles" of these religions all share some of the same historical stories/events.

Answer 2

Mono.

Answer 3

they had a bit of everything. records are totally unreliable and distorted due to politics and endless revision.

Answer 4

Monotheistic is the answer to your question. Mono means one, while poly means many. and theo pertains to religion or gods. hope that answers you out.

Answer 5

If you look into your Old Testament, you'll find periods where there are more cosmopolitan views.

Solomon apparently tolerated other religions, graven images and all. And at times the various tribes would fall into worship of the old gods, Canaanite gods, including Ba'al. The prophets would preach against this practice and warn the people that God would punish them for it, by doing things like sending Babylon to destroy the city.

Remember that Rachel got into trouble for stealing the household god from her father when she was leaving with Jacob. Jacob had promised to execute the one who had done this, leading their whole party into danger, but when it turned out to be Rachel, the wife he had really wanted, he couldn't do it.  

Answer 6

They were originally polytheistic which is what upset Moses when he discovered them worshipping the golden calf instead of his preferred sky god who was jealous of any other gods.

The idea of having only one god comes from Akhenaten the heretic Egyptian pharaoh who invented this form of worship.

Answer 7

In pre-Abraham times Hebrews didn't exist.