Final answer:
God is referred to as "a jealous God" in the song of Moses, which denotes the exclusive worship of Yahweh. Moses's teachings mark a distinct move from polytheism to monotheism, separating the Hebrew religious practices from those of neighboring cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the song of Moses, God is referred to as "a jealous God" several times. Moses also uses this term pejoratively to refer to other gods, as evidenced by commandments such as "Thou shalt not make any graven images," which contrasts the worship of the one God, Yahweh, with the worship of other deities. The language used in these texts, such as the first commandment, implies that while other gods may exist, they are not to be worshipped.
This reflection on monotheism highlights the transition from the earlier Canaanite polytheistic religious traditions to the worship of a single deity. The historical significance of Moses in establishing monotheism is underscored by his directives to the Israelites in rejecting the veneration of false idols. Even when face to face with the golden calf, an idol made in the absence of Moses, he reaffirmed the exclusive devotion to Yahweh by destroying the graven image.
It is also noteworthy that the monotheism attributed to Moses and the Hebrew people distinguished their spiritual practices from the surrounding cultures that were predominantly polytheistic, a concept that was eventually foundational to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.