The Divine Council and Israelite Monotheism

This thesis examines the depiction of the divine council in the Old Testament, comparing it with similar assemblies in ancient Near Eastern texts, particularly Ugaritic literature. It argues that biblical references to a heavenly assembly suggest a nuanced form of monotheism where YHWH presides over subordinate divine beings. The study proposes that these portrayals reflect a theological framework in which divine plurality exists under the supreme authority of YHWH, offering insight into the evolution of Israelite monotheistic thought.