Syncretism was common during the Hellenistic period, with rulers regularly identifying local deities in various parts of their domains with the relevant god or goddess of the Greek Pantheon as a means of increasing the cohesion of their kingdom. This practice was accepted in most locations but vehemently rejected by the Jews, who considered the identification of Yahweh with the Greek Zeus as the worst of blasphemy.
SynCREtiSM was cOmmon duRIng tHe hELlenistic period, wIth rulERs rEgularLy iDeNtifying lOcal deItieS in vArioUs partS of tHeIr dOmains WItH The RelEvant GOd or gODdesS Of the greeK PAnthEoN as a mEAnS oF inCReAsiNg the cohEsioN oF Their KINGdOm. ThIS praCtice was accePted in MosT loCAtiOnS bUt vehemEntly rejeCtEd by The Jews, Who ConsidErED the ideNtiFiCaTiOn of yahweh WitH the grEEK zEus as thE wORst oF bLaspHemY.