The Hebrews dared to be different. For them, their was only one god: Yahweh. They worshipped Yahweh as the all?

Question

The Hebrews dared to be different. For them, their was only one god: Yahweh. They worshipped Yahweh as the all-powerful god. Yahweh was in charge of their lives and responsible for their safety. The Hebrews were Yahweh's "chosen people." 

This was a fundamental difference between the Hebrews and their neighbors in the ancient Middle East. The Egyptians, Babylonians, and other neighbors of Canaan, Israel, and Judah were missing out on Yahweh's favor. 

Another fundamental difference was the Hebrews' belief that Yahweh was a just god, a fair god. They didn't believe, as their neighbors did, that the gods of nature and cities didn't really care about their people. According to Hebrew tradition, Yahweh had made a Covenant (or agreement) with Abraham: If they would worship Yahweh as the one, true god, Yahweh would let them live in Canaan as long as they wanted. 

And out of the belief that Yahweh was a just, fair god came the idea of the 10 Commandments, laws given to Moses to give to the Hebrew people as examples of how to live and be fair and true to each other, as Yahweh was fair and true to them.

Eclectic Heretic · Accepted Answer

And your question is?
As far as a unitarian "god", you had Zoroaster and Akhenaton, possibly others, that predated Yahweh..  Do bear in mind that Yahweh started out as one of many "gods"  He was one of the Elohim,at the time Exodus he was still a "jealous god", what's to be jealous of it you're the only "god" around? 
And the 10 commandments were preceded by some centuries by the Code of Hammurabi, which was substantially more compassionate in ways than the commandments.
And the 11th commandment is "thou shalt not rant when thou hast not thine facts straight".
Blessings on your Journey!

Anna · Answer

But the Bible records the Hebrews many lapses into idolatry for which they were punished by God.  After the Babylonian captivity they were cured from their idols, but they became cold and pharisaical, so that when the Messiah appeared it was the hardest test the nation ever had; they failed and were removed from the land by the Romans in 70 AD.
They had the truth in the Old Testament Scriptures but failed to see the true spiritual meaning of the types and sacrifices which were all fulfilled in Christ.

Rico Toasterman JPA · Answer

You're accepting, without question, biblical texts as historically authentic. It's clear, when you do a thorough textual analysis, that the Hebrews passed from Henotheism before they got to monotheism. And there's a good case to be made that both the Pharaoh Akhetaten ad the Prophet Zoroaster beat them to it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henotheism

TheKitten · Answer

Or...

The Hebrews might have been inspired by Tutankhamen's fervor for the worship of only one God.

Assuming they ever were enslaved in Egypt, of course.

Anonymous · Answer

Well if he was fair, why did he command the Jews to kill every man, woman and child when they entered the promised land?

Anonymous · Answer

Nice plagiarism.
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/worldhistory/ancientmiddleeastreligion2.htm

DIGIMAN · Answer

Dear Worst:

http://www.watchtower.org/e/20080501/article_01.htm
THE TRUTH AFTER YOU NIGHTMARE

Green Eagle · Answer

@ TheKitten - I think you mean Ahkenaten (I think that's how you spell it)

There doesn't seem to be a question to answer here.

skeptik · Answer

Was there supposed to be a question in there somewhere?

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The Hebrews dared to be different. For them, their was only one god: Yahweh. They worshipped Yahweh as the all?

9 Answers