Exploring Monotheism

Polytheism

The belief in or worship of multiple gods and goddesses.

Monotheism

The belief in the existence of only one god.

Monolatry

The belief in a supreme deity while allowing for the existence of other deities, though not worshipped.

Tanakh

The acronym for the Hebrew Bible, made up of the Torah, the Prophets (Nevi'im), and the Writings (Ketuvim).

Covenant of Grant

An agreement in which one party gives something to another without expecting anything in return.

Covenant of Obligation

An agreement where one party gives something with the expectation that the other party will do something in return.

Decalogue

Another term for the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai.

Heterotheism

The belief in multiple gods, but recognizing a supreme deity.

Patriarch

A male leader in a family or group, often a founding figure of a clan.

Exodus

The departure of the Israelites from Egypt under the leadership of Moses.

Diaspora

The dispersion of any people from their original homeland.

Arc of the Covenant

The sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments.

Shiloh

A city in ancient Israel that served as a religious center and location of the Ark of the Covenant.

Jerusalem

The city established as the religious and political center of the Hebrew kingdom by King David.

Canaanites

The indigenous people living in Canaan at the time of the Hebrew settlement.

Moses

A key figure in Jewish history who led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.

Solomon

King David's son, known for building the first temple in Jerusalem.

Saul

The first king of the Hebrew monarchy, anointed by the judge Samuel.

Abraham

The founding patriarch of the Hebrew people, initially named Abram.

Genesis

The first book of the Torah, containing the accounts of the creation and the patriarchs.