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

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Etymology

Origin of henotheism

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

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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

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 Frank F. Ellinwood

It marks the highest point to which the Hebrew race attained in its progress from henotheism to monotheism.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 2 "Hearing" to "Helmond" by Various

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

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 Roy Wood Sellars

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