which one is the first culture to permanently embrace monotheism
1.persians
2.phoenicians
3.asyrians
4. hebrews

The answer is 4, Hebrews.

The Persian religion, Zoroastrianism, "... did not go as far in the
direction of monotheism as did the religion of the Hebrews."  (Page
72)

The Phoenician religion "... was characterized by human sacrifice to
the god Moloch...." (page 107)

The Assyrian religion was polytheistic (page 60)

"... the Hebrews developed the first sustained monotheism known to
mankind...." (page 90)

Source:

World Civilizations, seventh edition, Burns, Ralph, Lerner, and
Meacham, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1986, Volume 1 (see above for
specific page references)

Sincerely,

Wonko