Big Ideas · 5 · Ahab and Jezebel

Neither Mesha nor Israel's kings were monotheists

Mesha promoted Chemosh to unify Moab, and the Omrides did the same with Yhwh for Israel. Other gods were tolerated alongside.

Chief gods served state-building.

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Many groups resisted the palace's claims and clung to local identities. Clan resistance to centralization is a perennial concern of states.

Source: Why the Bible Began, pp. 79–80

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