Final answer:
The Hebrews were distinguished by their monotheistic worship of a single deity, Yahweh, and their unique religious views encapsulated in Judaism—unlike the polytheistic practices in the Near East. This worship evolved into a centralized and law-based religion in Jerusalem, differing significantly from other cultures, and influenced the development of Christianity and Islam.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ideas about religion that distinguished the Hebrews from other peoples in the region were primarily their monotheism and the religious views encapsulated in Judaism. The Hebrews were unique in their worship of a single deity, Yahweh, which differed from the polytheistic practices common in the Near East. Unlike neighboring cultures, the Hebrews did not worship a pantheon of gods but maintained a covenant with their one god, Yahweh. Over time, this evolved into a strict form of monotheism with a centralized place of worship in Jerusalem and specific religious laws including dietary restrictions.
The history of the Hebrews is interpreted through the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible, and later influenced the emergence of Christianity and Islam. From the time of Abraham, who is said to have made a covenant with Yahweh, through the leadership of Moses, who received the laws from Yahweh during the exodus from Egypt, Judaism took shape. While the process was gradual, it eventually led to exclusive worship of Yahweh, marking a stark difference from the surrounding civilizations that often incorporated the gods of their neighbors or conquered peoples into their own religious practices.
This monotheistic tradition engendered a very different worldview compared to polytheistic societies. It fostered a sense of unique identity and divine purpose among the Hebrews, who believed in a single, omnipotent, and personal God governing their destiny. This was in contrast to the more transactional and multifaceted relationships that characterized the religious life of other civilizations in the region.