henotheism

American  

[hen-uh-thee-iz-uhm] / ˈhɛn ə θiˌɪz əm /

noun

1. the worship of a particular god, as by a family or tribe, without disbelieving in the existence of others.

2. ascription of supreme divine attributes to whichever one of several gods is addressed at the time.

---

henotheism British  

/ ˈhɛnəʊθiːˌɪzəm /

noun

1. the worship of one deity (of several) as the special god of one's family, clan, or tribe

---

Other Word Forms

• henotheist noun
• henotheistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of henotheism

1855–60; < Greek heno-, combining form of hén one (neuter of heîs ) + theism

Example Sentences

Pettinato theorizes that the Eblaites evolved from polytheism into henotheism, the worship of a supreme creator-god within the pantheon.

From Time Magazine Archive

The latter form of faith, the belief in One God, is properly called monotheism, whereas the term of henotheism would best express the faith in a single god.

From Chips From A German Workshop - Volume I Essays on the Science of Religion by Müller, F. Max (Friedrich Max)

There was no henotheism, no worship of several single supreme deities: One only was supreme.

From Moon Lore by Harley, Timothy

Even henotheism, the last name which Professor Max Müller applies to the early Aryan faith, denotes oneness in this sense.

From Oriental Religions and Christianity A Course of Lectures Delivered on the Ely Foundation Before the Students of Union Theological Seminary, New York, 1891 by Ellinwood, Frank F.

Probably it is the aspect of national monotheism, or henotheism, as it should more accurately be called, which impresses so many, whereas this feature was an historical accident.

From The Next Step in Religion An Essay toward the Coming Renaissance by Sellars, Roy Wood