Final answer:
The prophets of the eighth century B.C.E. urged the Hebrews to return to strict monotheism, worship only Yahweh, and follow the social and moral laws of the Covenant, warning that their hardships were due to deviating from these commitments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The message of the prophets to the Hebrew people in the eighth century B.C.E. emphasized a return to strict monotheism, the exclusive worship of Yahweh, and adherence to the social and moral dictates of the Covenant. These prophets, arising during the period of the Prophetic Movement, called for a return to communal and egalitarian values, representing the interests of the less fortunate in society. Their teachings also suggested that the calamities, such as the Assyrian invasion and the Babylonian Captivity, were due to the Hebrews straying from the Covenant. The prophets like Moses, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel were instrumental in shaping these messages, urging the Hebrews to abandon their polytheistic practices and uphold the commandments set forth in the Torah, warning of disasters as divine punishment for their lapses in faith.