What does henotheism mean?
Henotheism is a religious position that places one deity above others or treats one god as the object of special worship, without necessarily denying the existence of other divine beings. In scholarly discussions, it is often situated between monotheism, which affirms one god as the only god, and polytheism, which recognizes a plurality of gods. The term is especially associated with the study of ancient Greek and Roman religion, where devotion to a particular god could coexist with recognition of a wider divine pantheon, though it is also used more generally in comparative religion. Henotheism is a formal, specialist term rather than everyday language, and speakers should not use it simply to mean monotheism. The distinction matters because acknowledging several gods while elevating or worshipping one of them differs from affirming that only one god exists. Henotheism is therefore useful for describing religious systems in which the status and treatment of the favored deity is central.
nounHenotheism is the worship of, or belief in, one deity as pre-eminent, without necessarily denying the existence or worship of other deities.
- The worship of, or belief in, one deity as pre-eminent or as the special object of devotion, without necessarily denying other deities.
"The scholar interpreted the community's special devotion to a single god as a form of henotheism."
"The priestly cult reflected henotheism, giving special reverence to one deity within a larger Greek pantheon."
"Each community followed a distinct form of henotheism, revering its chosen god while acknowledging the existence of other divine beings."
The plural is rare; academic writing generally treats the word as uncountable.
"The study compares forms of henotheism found in several cultures."
Henotheism occupies the space between one god and many: one deity receives the devotion, while the rest of the pantheon is not necessarily denied.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does henotheism come from?
The word was formed in English during the 19th century from Greek hén, meaning “one,” and theós, meaning “god,” together with the suffix -ism denoting a doctrine or belief. Its structure parallels the older religious terms theism, monotheism, and polytheism. The derivatives henotheist and henotheistic preserve the same distinctive formation while expressing a person who holds this belief and the adjectival meaning “relating to henotheism.”
Related word forms
How henotheism is actually used
A formal and specialist term used chiefly in theology, religious studies, anthropology, and the history of religion. It is uncommon in everyday speech.
Easily confused with henotheism
Monotheism affirms the existence of one god, whereas henotheism elevates or worships one deity without necessarily excluding other gods.