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.

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henotheism British  

/ ˈhɛnəʊθiːˌɪzəm /

noun

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

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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

See Examples For:

henotheism

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

From Time Magazine Archive

It is henotheism, not monotheism, that we see in this most religious land; the worship of one god at a time while other gods are also believed to exist and act.

From History of Religion A Sketch of Primitive Religious Beliefs and Practices, and of the Origin and Character of the Great Systems by Allan Menzies

There is one kind of monotheism, though it would more properly be called theism, or henotheism, which forms the birthright of every human being.

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

Investigators in the history of religion trace the steps from polydemonism to polytheism and thence to henotheism and monotheism.

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

In Hebrew and Greek times we discover a polytheism, after a long course of development, emerging into henotheism, and finally, here and there, into monotheism.

From An Interpretation of Rudolf Eucken's Philosophy by W. Tudor (William Tudor) Jones