Jews before Moses: who were they what did they believe?

Lycurgus89

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Is it true that before Moses, the Jews worshipped Elohim as many gods, or was the worship of only One God present before Moses? When did Jewish polytheism become Monotheism?

I had read a theory recently, that ancient historians knew Moses as Osarsef, a rebel from upper Egypt, who freed a bunch of slaves and lead them to take Cannan from the Philistines. Osarsef had been a priest in one of the great Egyptian cults, so to keep order in his ranks he systematized a new Law, based on what he learned as a priest, and this became the Pentateuch that would shape the nation of Israel.
 

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When did Jewish polytheism become Monotheism

In his classic Old Testament Theology, Gerhard von Rad argues that the various tribes that eventually formed ancient Israel each had their own tribal god(s), but that YHWH eventually won out. It is interesting that we find the plural form elohim throughout the Hebrew scriptures. But, of course, it's conjecture based on certain assumptions about how religion evolves.

Edit: Sorry, I just realized what forum this is. Mea culpa.
 
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Dave L

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Abraham's slaves became his covenant seed through circumcision. At the time. Ishmael was his only circumcised relative. In time a huge family developed through his circumcised blood relatives who were mixed with circumcised non-relatives. But any not circumcised became disowned and expelled as a gentile by default.

Some were faithful like Abraham. But Gradually the rest became enslaved to the law in order to physically control them until they served their purpose in bringing forth the Messiah. At that time, the unbelievers were excommunicated and placed under God's wrath until the end of time. While the believers remained Abraham's covenant seed and Israel under Christ.
 
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BrotherJJ

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When did Jewish polytheism become Monotheism?

Abraham is where monotheism begins?

God introduced himself to Abram as: ""I am El Shaddai"" translates = God Almighty.

Abraham trusted/believed/worshipped one God.

Onto the word Jew, I did a bible search (KJV) found the word Jew in 2 Kings, Esther, Jeremiah & Zechariah. Having said that, Abram is the origin of the Jew.

Abram later called Abraham, begats Isaac, begats Jacob who has 12 sons. He gives each one a portion of land in Israel. Each son becomes leader/head of his Tribe.

The offspring of Judah were called Judahites. In Revelation Jesus is called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Today, we call the territory that Jacob gave to Judah the West Bank.
 
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TreWalker

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Is it true that before Moses, the Jews worshipped Elohim as many gods, or was the worship of only One God present before Moses? When did Jewish polytheism become Monotheism?
It's not true that before Moses the descendants of Abraham Issac and Jacob worshiped many gods, or saw HaShem as a unity of many gods. Abraham was the first monotheistic believer in HaShem and all his children believed likewise. Yes, the worship of the One G-d was present before Moses, it's the heart and soul of Abraham's belief in G-d.

Abraham was vehemently against any other gods but El Shaddai. His whole being was focused on the magnification of the One G-d, as opposed to a pantheon.

I could understand Jews falling into polytheism in Egypt while they assimilated into the society for hundreds of years. But from it's inception with Abraham the Jewish people do not worship many gods. That is the antitheses of being a child of Abraham.
 
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tampasteve

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ADMIN HAT ON

This thread has been moved to a more appropriate forum. Please note that the OP is requesting answers from Jewish members, not other Christians.

ADMIN HAT OFF
 
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tampasteve

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Some of you are Christians... I thought this forum was where I ask Jews questions?
The other forum was not intended for Christians to respond, but it also was not quite what you were looking for. I moved the thread to a better forum. :)
 
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BrotherJJ

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It's not true that before Moses the descendants of Abraham Issac and Jacob worshiped many gods,


Joshua 24:2And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, """even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods""".


Abrahams father Terah & his brother Nachor served other gods.
 
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Lycurgus89

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Maybe I should ask, when did God first reveal himself to be the only One God? I remember Exodus pretty well, some of the kingdom years stories and prophets, but correct me if I'm wrong the Israelites never let go of their polytheism until coming back from Babylon, several centuries later.
 
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TreWalker

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Maybe I should ask, when did God first reveal himself to be the only One God? I remember Exodus pretty well, some of the kingdom years stories and prophets, but correct me if I'm wrong the Israelites never let go of their polytheism until coming back from Babylon, several centuries later.
Abraham
 
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TreWalker

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Between Abraham and the Babylonian Exile, did the Israelites spend more years in monotheism or polytheism?
The purpose and goal of Judaism is monotheism, but I think we both know that Israel wandered far and wide in their faithfulness to G-d throughout the years.

After going down into Egypt eventually the descendants of Abraham mostly assimilated into the culture and did forget about the relationship they had through their forefathers with the G-d of Abraham Issac and Jacob. Until Moses. This is why our sages say Israel took the long route to the promised land, because of the idolatry and continual complaining.

And of course once in the land they still didn't maintain complete faith throughout their generations. Some more than others. But I don't believe it can be said that since they at times whole heartedly followed other gods that as a whole Israel is polytheistic more than monotheistic.
 
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