Biblical scholarship today is divided between two mutually exclusive concepts of the emergence of monotheism: an early-monotheistic Yahwism paradigm and a native-pantheon paradigm.

This study identifies five main stages on Israel's journey towards monotheism. Rather than deciding whether Yahweh was originally a god of the Baal-type or of the El-type, this work shuns origins and focuses instead on the first period for which there are abundant sources, the Omride era. Non-biblical sources depict a significantly different situation from the Baalism the Elijah cycle ascribes to King Achab. The novelty of the present study is to take this paradox seriously and identify the Omride dynasty as the first stage in the rise of Yahweh as the main god of Israel. Why Jerusalem later painted the Omrides as anti-Yahweh idolaters is then explained as the need to distance itself from the near-by sanctuary of Bethel by assuming the Omride heritage without admitting its northern Israelite origins. The contribution of the Priestly document and of Deutero-Isaiah during the Persian era comprise the next phase, before the strict Yahwism achieved in Daniel 7 completes the emergence of biblical Yahwism as a truly monotheistic religion.

An examination of the appropriation of Baal, El and Asherah's domains for Yahweh by biblical editors and authors which offers an entirely new approach to the rise of monotheistic Yahwism.

About the Author
James Anderson (PhD, University of Sheffield, UK) is adjunct lecturer at various universities in his local area of San Antonio, USA.

Reviews
An interesting volume ... Solidly argued and noteworthy. * Gregorianum (Bloomsbury translation) *
Argues convincingly that Israelites and Judahites venerated a small pantheon of gods, whose functions and attributes Yahweh appropriates. This book should prove useful especially to students and scholars looking for a relatively brief yet persuasively argued study of the development of Yahwistic monotheism. * Biblical Interpretation *



Book Information
ISBN 9780567683076
Author James S. Anderson
Format Paperback
Page Count 160
Imprint T.& T.Clark Ltd
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 231g