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What distinguished Hebrew wisdom from other wisdom traditions?

User Guyumu
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Final answer:

Hebrew wisdom was distinguished from other wisdom traditions by its focus on monotheism. This monotheistic belief set the Hebrews apart from other societies that worshipped multiple gods. The Hebrews believed in Yahweh as the one and only god, and this belief was the foundation of their religion, Judaism.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most salient feature of Hebrew culture during this period was its then-unusual monotheism. The Bible suggests this tradition began with Abraham, who was said to have entered into a covenant with Yahweh as far back as 2100 BCE. With the emergence of Moses in the Bible, Hebrew monotheism really began to take shape.

Hebrew wisdom was distinguished from other wisdom traditions by its focus on monotheism. While many other societies worshipped multiple gods, the Hebrews believed in the existence of only one god, Yahweh. This belief set them apart from the Egyptians, Greeks, Assyrians, Persians, and Romans, who encountered the Hebrew people and their monotheistic practices. The Hebrew monotheistic worship was centralized at the temple in Jerusalem, and it became the foundation of not only Judaism but also Christianity and later Islam.

The Hebrews also developed the belief that Yahweh was deeply invested in the actions of His chosen people, both as a group and as individuals. This belief, in contrast to other ancient religions, emphasized the individual responsibility and accountability of every person in the eyes of Yahweh.

User Simon Lang
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