The Documentary Hypothesis
Below are some characteristics of the four proposed sources of the Pentateuch:
| Source |
J - The Yahwist
|
E - The Elohist
|
D- The Deuteronomist
|
P - The Priestly
|
| Date |
950
|
850
|
650
|
550 ff.
|
| Place |
Jerusalem - The United Kingdom
|
Northern Kingdom of Israel | Jerusalem - Southern Kingdom | Exile |
| God's name | Yahweh | Elohim | speaks of "Ha Shem" - "the Name" | |
| Mountain of Revelation | Sinai | Horeb | ||
| Palestinian residents before Israelites | Caananites | Amorites | ||
| Moses' father-in-law | Reuel | Jethro | ||
| Literary Style | simplistic; vivid storytelling | legalistic | lacking in artistry, shows signs of generations of reflection/development | |
| God imagery- revelation | bold anthropomorphisms | God reaches out through intermediaries, His presence inspires awe | ||
| Themes | role of younger son is emphasized (Judah) | emphasizes spectacular aspects of God's miracles, role of prophet highlighted (Abraham and Moses), faith and obedience are stressed, promises are not unconditional | loyal response to YHWH's commands | YHWH is holy, Israel must be holy, liturgical concerns, feasts in historical context of the Exodus, sabbath rest stressed |
| Other | patriachs seen at sanctuaries which were originally Caananite, but later condemned | only fragments survive, begins with Abraham story | Distinct vocabulary: "you", "now" and "today" stress sense of urgency - associated with Josiah's reform | Fond of genealogies, chronological precision and minute descriptions of ritual detail; Aaron as a key player (first High Priest); God's "glory' is highlighted |
| Sinai covenant is climax of history, desert experience is idealized | Deuteronomy and Joshua 1:1-9 and 23:3-16 | final form during the Exile |
Copyright ©Rev. Bruce Janiga