The Evolution of Jewish Monotheism
‘God is One,’ From Antiquity to Modernity

Offers a fresh perspective on Jewish monotheism's evolution by narrating the history of the phrase 'God is one' from antiquity to modernity.

David Michael Grossberg (Author)

9781009569194, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 27 February 2025

338 pages
23.5 x 15.9 x 2.6 cm, 0.65 kg

'Grossberg takes an historical approach to the question, as is required by the title. Thus he begins by noting that texts relating to God as one are uncommon before the second century BC, and when they emerge they tend to be in Greek, with Jewish authors such as Philo of Alexandria seeking to express their Jewish theology in the terms of Greek philosophy, a language with terminology and concepts that could be used. The presentation is clear and thorough. He examines Canaanite culture and religion, noting differences and similarities, as well as Egyptian culture, which is probably, aside from Israel, the only culture that embraced monotheism in the time of Akhenaten, as is well known. So Grossberg uses not only biblical and Jewish sources, but also other contemporary sources, both textual and archaeological (e.g. the Mesha stele and an Egyptian inscription from Nubia) to give a full context to Jewish monotheism.' Dom Anselm Brumwell, The Downside Review

In this book, David Michael Grossberg offers a fresh and illuminating perspective on the three-thousand-year evolution of Jewish monotheism by narrating the history of 'God is one' as a religious slogan from the ancient to the modern world. Although 'God is one' has been called Judaism's primary testimony of faith, its meaning has been obscure and contentious from its earliest emergence. From the Bible's acclamatory 'the Lord is one' to Philo of Alexandria's highest Word just secondary to God; from the Talmud's rejection of 'two powers in heaven' to the philosophers' First Existent who is one beyond unity; from the Kabbalists' tenfold Godhead to Spinoza's one substance, this innovative history demonstrates the remarkable diversity encompassed by this deceptively simple Jewish statement of faith. Grossberg shows how this diversity is unified in a continuous striving for knowledge of God that has been at the heart of Judaism from its earliest beginnings.

Introduction
Part I. The Early History of 'God is One': 1. One God, ancient Egypt, and YHWH
2. One God and the Bible
3. One God (and God's word) in the Greek period
Part II. How Many 'One Gods' are There?: 4. One means not two: The Rabbis and the rejection of multiplicity
5. One means not one: negative theology and medieval Jewish philosophy
6. One means none (or Ten): God and the Kabbalah
7. One means everything and nothing: knowledge of God and modernity
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index of Subjects.

Subject Areas: Judaism [HRJ]