Is there evidence for the existence of the Jewish religion dating back between 3500B.C. and 2000B.C.?

Question

Recorded history dates back to roughly 3500B.C. Traditionally people say that Abraham was the founder of the Jewish religion. Whether or not he was an actual person is up for debate.

Anyways, is there any historical evidence for the existence of a Jewish religion before the time that Abraham was said to have lived?

I've heard numerous dates attributed to when he lived, but the earliest one is set around 2000B.C.

So, is there any secular evidence for the existance of a montheistic religion that follows the beliefs of Judiasm before he was said to have lived?

Answer 1

No

The bible did not exist at the time of Abraham. So there would be no documentation to support that Abraham followed the Jewish religion.

The founder of Christianity and Jewish faith was much later in history, it was Jesus Christ who trained the Apostles to be 'fishers of men' and create the first churches.

Answer 2

Probably not, since Judaism itself was not originally a monotheistic religion. Abraham was from Ur, a polythestic society. He chose the god El, the head of the pantheon, as his patron god.. but believed in the existance of all the other gods.

The early Hebrews believed in the same way. A symbol of El was a bull, which is why they created the golden calf when they thought Moses died on Sinai. This is also why they were always so quick to accept the worship of other gods, as described in the bible. It wasn't until the time of Isaiah that they became truly monotheistc and denied the existance of any other gods.

Answer 3

you'd have to check a book on biblical archaeology out of the library. i don't follow that subject but i really doubt evidence of judaism goes all the way back to abraham, especially since abraham didn't practice the jewish religion.

Answer 4

I have heard that there was a similar religion prior to 2000 B.C. but it was polytheistic. Also through the early part of the Jewish faith could be interpreted as being "unrefined monotheism". Where they believed in more gods but only their god was the most powerful.

Answer 5

Here are some good sources

Biblical Archeology magazine

The Secret Origins of the Bible by Tim Callaghan.

Enjoy! Its a fascinating topic!

Answer 6

YES....according to the Jewish calendar, the world was created in the year 1 A.M. (Anno Mundi -- the year of the world). this is the equivalent of 3760 B.C. since, according to the Jewish calendar, this is the year 5767. subtract our year -- 2007 and you are left with 3760. However, Judaism was not as fully developed as it was in Jesus time.

Answer 7

See old testament. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.

Answer 8

Monotheism was appropriated from the Egyptians

Answer 9

Yes.