Asherah, the wife of god?

[shunyadragon]

That's quite the imaginative theory.

Common statues are found ancient Hebrew villages.

[rogue06]

Common statues are found ancient Hebrew villages.

And?

How does that demonstrate that the Bible was polytheistic up until the 7th cent. B.C. rather than it was monotheistic but the people often weren't?

[Juvenal]

That's quite the imaginative theory.

To the contrary, that's the mainstream view, piglet. There's no evidence for monotheism in early Israel, and considerable evidence that it became nearly universal immediately following the Babylonian captivity.

[shunyadragon]

And?

How does that demonstrate that the Bible was polytheistic up until the 7th cent. B.C. rather than it was monotheistic but the people often weren't?

There is no evidence that they were monotheistic. The archaeological evidence and the most ancient texts indicate polytheism.

[Scrawly]

Benjamin D. Sommer provides some nuance on monotheism and touches on Asherah worship in ancient Israel:

https://www.academia.edu/34893038/Mo...ical_Companion

[rogue06]

To the contrary, that's the mainstream view, piglet. There's no evidence for monotheism in early Israel, and considerable evidence that it became nearly universal immediately following the Babylonian captivity.

Yeah that just popped up out of nowhere with absolutely no history or tradition behind it and became universally accepted.

Go on, pull the other one.

[shunyadragon]

Yeah that just popped up out of nowhere with absolutely no history or tradition behind it and became universally accepted.

Go on, pull the other one.

There is definite evidence that idols of Asherah are commonly found in the homes of early Hebrews in the hills of Judah. The Old Testament refers to many Gods. I believe the evidence clearly demonstrates that the beliefs of the Hebrews evolved from Polytheism, to Henotheism, and then to Monotheism. The Old Testament was finally edited and compiled by Monotheists emphasizing Henotheism, and conflicts within the Hebrews between Monotheism and Polytheism.

The origins of the Hebrews culture, language, and traditions originated from Canaanite/Ugarite cultures, and the the text of the Pentateuch reflects that influence, including early belief in polytheism.

Source: https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium.MAGAZINE-when-the-jews-believed-in-other-gods-1.6315810

When the Jews Believed in Other Gods

© Copyright Original Source

[rogue06]

There is definite evidence that idols of Asherah are commonly found in the homes of early Hebrews in the hills of Judah. The Old Testament refers to many Gods. I believe the evidence clearly demonstrates that the beliefs of the Hebrews evolved from Polytheism, to Henotheism, and then to Monotheism. The Old Testament was finally edited and compiled by Monotheists emphasizing Henotheism, and conflicts within the Hebrews between Monotheism and Polytheism.

The origins of the Hebrews culture, language, and traditions originated from Canaanite/Ugarite cultures, and the the text of the Pentateuch reflects that influence, including early belief in polytheism.

Source: https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium.MAGAZINE-when-the-jews-believed-in-other-gods-1.6315810

When the Jews Believed in Other Gods

© Copyright Original Source

Nobody is denying that the ancient Hebrews were often polytheistic. Scripture repeatedly mentions it and condemns it. That is not the issue.

Just like today we do a whole slew of things that the Bible explicitly says are wrong.

[Juvenal]

Yeah that just popped up out of nowhere with absolutely no history or tradition behind it and became universally accepted.

Go on, pull the other one.

I'm not a religious scholar. I just read them, and that's what they say. None of the archaeology, from temples to homes, finds Yahweh worshipped alone before the Babylonian captivity. If I were to speculate, I'd guess they picked up monotheism from Zoroastrianism during the Babylonian captivity, but that's just me.

[Juvenal]

Nobody is denying that the ancient Hebrews were often polytheistic. Scripture repeatedly mentions it and condemns it. That is not the issue.

Just like today we do a whole slew of things that the Bible explicitly says are wrong.

That's a PRATT, rouge. Nobody denies they were monotheistic when their sacred texts were last revised.

[shunyadragon]

Nobody is denying that the ancient Hebrews were often polytheistic. Scripture repeatedly mentions it and condemns it. That is not the issue.

Just like today we do a whole slew of things that the Bible explicitly says are wrong.

As I stated before the Pentateuch was compiled and edited by Monotheists with text adapted from older Canaanite and Ugatie sources. The existence of other Gods is demonstrated and henotheistic at best, and NOT monotheistic. The archaeological evidence, and the fact that Hebrews were a Canaanite tribe and culture overwhelmingly supports the fact that that the Hebrews were originally a polytheistic culture and evolved to a henotheistic culture, and then to a monotheistic culture. The Pentateuch clearly describes a 'Council of Gods' that reflects a variation of a Canaanite polytheistic culture, and uses Canaanite names Gods.

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

That's a PRATT, rouge. Nobody denies they were monotheistic when their sacred texts were last revised.

Post Exilic redactions and revisions.