Why is monotheism a central idea in the Hebrew Bible?

In the Hebrew Bible, monotheism is central because the entire life of the people of Israel is viewed as being dominated by Yahweh alone. Rather than a mathematical abstraction, this monotheism represents a conscious, passionate commitment to one God, serving as the foundational basis for the Israelite way of life.1

The significance of this belief is rooted in several key concepts:

• Exclusive Covenant: The relationship between God and Israel is defined by a covenant that demands total allegiance. Unlike many ancient Middle Eastern religions, the God of Israel was a "jealous" deity who explicitly forbade the worship of other gods, establishing an exclusive obligation for his followers.1
• Ethical Monotheism: The prophets emphasized that this exclusive devotion was inseparable from ethical conduct. God is understood as the creator of both the natural and the ethical order, and humanity is expected to conform to his righteousness.12
• Universal Sovereignty: By interpreting the universe and human life as creations of a single, unique God, the Hebrew Bible provides a framework where God’s sovereignty extends over all of history and humanity, rather than being limited to a specific cultic or religious sphere.342