Synopses & Reviews
In this remarkable, acclaimed history of the development of monotheism, Mark S. Smith explains how Israel's religion evolved from a cult of Yahweh as a primary deity among many to a fully defined monotheistic faith with Yahweh as sole god. Repudiating the traditional view that Israel was fundamentally different in culture and religion from its Canaanite neighbors, this provocative book argues that Israelite religion developed, at least in part, from the religion of Canaan. Drawing on epigraphic and archaeological sources, Smith cogently demonstrates that Israelite religion was not an outright rejection of foreign, pagan gods but, rather, was the result of the progressive establishment of a distinctly separate Israelite identity. This thoroughly revised second edition of "The Early History of God includes a substantial new preface by the author and a foreword by Patrick D. Miller.
Synopsis
There is still much disagreement over the origins and development of Israelite religion. Mark Smith sets himself the task of reconstructing the cult of Yahweh, the most important deity in Israel's early religion, and tracing the transformation of that deity into the sole god - the development of monotheism. Smith argues that Israelite religion owed much to the beliefs and practices of its neighbours, notably the religion of Canaan and that early conflicts over religious practice led to differentiation within the Israel's religion. This second edition includes a new preface and foreword which updates the 1990 edition.
About the Author
Mark S. Smith is the Skirball Professor of Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Studies at New York University.
Table of Contents
Introduction -- Deities in Israel in the period of the Judges -- Yahweh and Baal -- Yahweh and Asherah -- Yahweh and the sun -- Yahwistic cultic practices -- The origins and development of Israelite monotheism -- Postscript : portraits of Yahweh.