It's a living

[dreamer_easy]

I assume Yahweh is referred to as "the living god" to contrast Him with lifeless idols. Now, my understanding is that the Hebrews were henotheists: their neighbours' gods existed, but were not to be worshipped, and in any case were subordinate to Yahweh. However, quick search turns up the first use of "the living god" in Deuteronomy. So now I'm wondering - did "living god" have a different meaning, for example, a deity without idols or images?

Comments

[adrian-middle.livejournal.com]

The treatment of other gods as demons was an entirely etymological development brought about by the differentiation of the Zoroastrian asuras and the daevas. Its basically about winners and losers - the conquered gods became tainted with evil, while the victorious gods were *obviously* those worthy of worship.

Its interesting that the resurrection of a god is used repeatedly throughout ancient history as a means of reinstating a slain god - Osiris, Marduk (again) and of course Yahweh, who managed it twice.