There is still much disagreement over the origins and development of Israelite religion. Mark Smith sets himself the task of reconstructing the cult of Yahweh, the most important deity in Israel's early religion, and tracing the transformation of that deity into the sole god - the development of monotheism. Smith argues that Israelite religion owed much to the beliefs and practices of its neighbours, notably the religion of Canaan and that early conflicts over religious practice led to differentiation within the Israel's religion. This second edition includes a new preface and foreword which updates the 1990 edition.