Final answer:
OT Hebrews practiced monotheism centered on the worship of Yahweh. This belief system evolved over time through various religious reforms and the influence of prophets, eventually shaping the Jewish faith into its current form.
Step-by-step explanation:
The descent pattern that OT Hebrews practiced is centered around their monotheistic religion, which acknowledged Yahweh as the sole deity. This monotheism wasn't fully formed from the outset but developed over a prolonged period, influenced by various leaders and prophets who contended with the competing practice of polytheistic traditions. Important figures such as Moses and King Hezekiah were pivotal in forging and reinforcing the monotheistic worship of Yahweh, though this consolidation of belief was challenged at times, as with King Manasseh's restoration of polytheistic practices. Over time, the Prophetic Movement pushed for exclusive worship of Yahweh, emphasizing his unique covenant with the Hebrews. By the time of the Persian Empire's rise, the Jewish religion began to resemble the form we recognize today, with its strict adherence to Yahweh's laws and central worship at the Jerusalem Temple.