One of the interesting conclusions of modern Israeli archeology is that the early Israeli's were not monotheists. This conclusion is due to the fact that in digs of early Israeli homes, all revel the presence of different idols. Monotheism came later and would appear to have originated in the upper west end of what is now Saudi Arabia. Many archeologists believe that one group of Israelis came into contact with these monotheists as a result of the migration from Egypt.
Monotheism itself appears to have become dominant among Jews during the Jewish Captivity in Babylon.
I learned this as a result of watching a program on PBS, NOVA, "The Bible's Buried Secrets," which aired on Nov, 18, 2008.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bible/

A book on this is "The Origins of Biblical Monotheism";

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Origins-Biblical-Monotheism-Polytheistic-Background/dp/0195167686
Source(s):
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bible/

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