Beliefs and worship in early Yahwism
Beliefs
Midianite Yahwism was likely monolatrous, this means the worship of only one God, whilst believing in the existence of other deities. YHWH was likely worshipped as the supreme mountain and sky deity by the Midianites.
The Israelite prohibition against idolatry may also originate with the Midianites. The Midianites shared a mining temple in Timnah with the Egyptians. When the Egyptians left, the Midianites made the site religiously acceptable by destroying the images of the Egyptian goddess Hathor and erecting imageless masseboth inside the shrine. Keni (now Horvat ‘Uza) which was inhabited by Kenites also did not contain figurines.
Divine council
YHWH is described as the supreme deity and head of the divine council of gods in some parts of the Hebrew Bible. These gods worshipped Him and obeyed His commands. Sarlo suggested that the holy ones in Deuteronomy 33 deities that are subservient to YHWH. They are said to be at His right hand because they are under His control.
Sarlo’s translation of Deuteronomy 33:
He (Moses) said: “Yahweh comes from Sinai; He rises up from his Seir; he appears from Mount Paran; He comes from the multitudes of Qadosh. At his right are his mountain-gods.”
[Moreover, the chosen one of the peoples (Moses) said]:25 “All of its (the divine council’s) holy ones are in your (Yahweh’s) control; They bow down26 at your feet, they arise at your commands.”
Psalm 29 also describes subordinate deities praising YHWH:
Psalm 29:1 Ascribe to YHWH, O gods (Bnei Elim), give to YHWH the glory and strength. 2 Give to YHWH the glory due to his name; worship YHWH in the beauty of holiness.
Academic theories
The most popular academic theory is that YHWH is a storm and warrior God who was worshipped by the early Midianites and/or Edomites, this is usually supported by the early Yahwistic poetry where YHWH causes storms and fights the enemies of Israel. Some scholars also connect Him to metallurgy. A recent theory which I find convincing is by scholar Daniel Sarlo. Sarlo proposes that YHWH was originally seen as a solar type deity amongst His earliest followers which would explain all of His attributes: His supreme status as Creator and head of the Divine Council in the Hebrew Bible, His shining from the mountain in the early Yahwistic poetry, His care for the poor and downtrodden and His storm attributes as solar deities were also believed to control storms.
Worship and rituals
Worship in early Yahwism consisted of prayers, blessings and sacrifices (Exodus 3:18, Exodus 18:10). The sacrifices consisted of a ritual meal shared by worshippers which was common in pre Islamic Arabia.
There is evidence of sacrifices involving the consumption of goats and sheep at a Midianite tent shrine discovered by archaeologists at Timna. The Midianite tent shrine contained a row of massebot (standing stones), a sandstone basin, incense altars and offering benches.
These discoveries suggest that animal sacrifice, incense burning and metallurgical rituals were practised by the Midianites. Votive offerings were also left at the site, these included Qurayyah Painted Ware and small metal objects.
According to some scholars, the Kenites celebrated a Passover like feast in the spring when the lambs were born. Scholars have long thought that the origins of Passover lay in early shepherds customs before the herds were taken out to spring pastures. The firstlings of the flock were sacrificed in petition for a good year for their flocks and families. Interestingly, a similar festival is still observed by some modern Bedouin. This festival was later associated with the Exodus in Israelite Yahwism.
Remains of Midianite Tent Shrine, Timna
Sources:
YHWH: Origin of a desert God, Robert Miller II
YHWH the original Arabic meaning of the name, Prof Israel Knohl
The Solar Nature of YHWH, Daniel Sarlo
Jacob Edward Dunn, 'A land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you may mine copper, metallurgy pottery and the Midianite Qenite Hypothesis'.
The Rise of Yahwism: the role of marginalised groups Marlene Mondriaan
Andre Lemaire, The Birth of Monotheism
