henotheism
- the worship of a particular god, as by a family or tribe, without disbelieving in the existence of others.
- ascription of supreme divine attributes to whichever one of several gods is addressed at the time.
Origin of henotheism
Examples from the Web for henotheism
Historical Examples of henotheism
In contrast with 'henotheism' or 'monolatry,' such as the worship of the early Hebrews.
Outspoken EssaysWilliam Ralph Inge
It would thus appear almost as if all gods are one god to Mr. Frazer by a kind of scientific 'Henotheism.'
Magic and ReligionAndrew Lang
Henotheism, a polytheism which assigns to one god of the pantheon superiority over the rest.
The Nuttall EncyclopaediaEdited by Rev. James Wood
There was no henotheism, no worship of several single supreme deities: One only was supreme.
Moon LoreTimothy Harley
It marks the highest point to which the Hebrew race attained in its progress from henotheism to monotheism.
henotheism
- the worship of one deity (of several) as the special god of one's family, clan, or tribe
Word Origin for henotheism
Word Origin and History for henotheism
1860, from Greek henos, neuter of eis "one" (from PIE *sem- "one, as one") + theism. Devotion to a single god without asserting that he is the only god. Coined by (Friedrich) Max Müller (1823-1900), professor of comparative philology at Oxford. Related: Henotheist.