“Ancient Jewish Monotheism” in the Hellenistic and Roman Periods

Abstract

Although “monotheism,” defined as affirmation that only one deity exists, is a dubious descriptor of ancient Jewish religion, there are distinguishing features of Jewish religious belief and practice (particularly in the late Hellenistic and early Roman period) that must be recognized, reflecting particularly a concern to distinguish the one biblical deity from all others. After engaging terminological debates, I propose that “ancient Jewish monotheism” can serve as a handy label for this concern. Then, I identify key features of this religious stance, which are evident in religious rhetoric and even more crucially cultic practice, particularly in the restriction of cultus to the one deity.