<Dl> <Dd> This article discusses the historical roots of Judaism throughout the 1st millennium BCE . For the origins of the modern - day religion of Judaism, see Origins of Rabbinic Judaism . </Dd> </Dl> <Dd> This article discusses the historical roots of Judaism throughout the 1st millennium BCE . For the origins of the modern - day religion of Judaism, see Origins of Rabbinic Judaism . </Dd> <P> The origins of Judaism lie in the Bronze Age polytheistic Ancient Semitic religions, specifically Canaanite religion, a syncretization with elements of Babylonian religion and of the worship of Yahweh reflected in the early prophetic books of the Hebrew Bible . During the Iron Age I, the Israelite religion became distinct from other Canaanite religions due to the unique monolatristic (proto - monotheistic) worship of Yahweh . </P> <P> During the Babylonian captivity of the 6th and 5th centuries BCE (Iron Age II), certain circles within the exiled Judahites in Babylon redefined pre-existing ideas about monotheism, election, divine law and Covenant into a strict monotheistic theology which came to dominate the former Judah in the following centuries . </P>

What is the point of origin for judaism