Complex sentence: By the time this occurred, Yahweh had already been gradually absorbing the positive characteristics of the other gods and goddesses including Asherah, a process of appropriation that was an essential step in the subsequent emergence of one of Judaism's most notable features, its uncompromising monotheism.
Split into simpler sentences: By the time this occurred, Yahweh had already been gradually absorbing the positive characteristics of the other gods and goddesses, including Asherah. This process of appropriation was an essential step in the subsequent emergence of one of Judaism's most notable features, its uncompromising monotheism.