Source Criticism of the Pentateuch Mosaic composition Mosaic composition Pentateuch testimonies Pentateuch testimonies Tradition in biblical history Tradition in biblical history Problems Problems Post-Mosaic activity in the book Post-Mosaic activity in the book Geographical names or places not existed in Moses’ time Geographical names or places not existed in Moses’ time

Documentary Hypothesis Jean Astruc ( ) and the older documentary hypothesis: Jean Astruc ( ) and the older documentary hypothesis: Moses was the author of the Pentateuch, who compiled his book from earlier documents. Moses was the author of the Pentateuch, who compiled his book from earlier documents. Use God’s name as clue to rearrange the materials in Genesis Use God’s name as clue to rearrange the materials in Genesis

Fragmentary hypothesis Alexander Geddes ( ) and Johann Severin Vater ( ) Alexander Geddes ( ) and Johann Severin Vater ( ) The sources too fragmentary The sources too fragmentary The fragments had originated in two separate circles The fragments had originated in two separate circles Moses was not the author of Pentateuch Moses was not the author of Pentateuch Wilhelm Martin De Wette ( ) Wilhelm Martin De Wette ( ) Deuteronomy was the “Book of the Law” Deuteronomy was the “Book of the Law”

Supplementary hypothesis Heinrich Georg August Ewald in 1823 Heinrich Georg August Ewald in 1823 Elohistic work: basic document Elohistic work: basic document older sections Ex and the Yahwistic source were incorporated older sections Ex and the Yahwistic source were incorporated

New documentary hypothesis First proposed by Hermann Hupfeld in 1853 on Genesis First proposed by Hermann Hupfeld in 1853 on Genesis Later applied to the entire Pentateuch Later applied to the entire Pentateuch Accepted and refined by Karl Heinrich Graf, Abraham Kuenen and Julius Wellhausen Accepted and refined by Karl Heinrich Graf, Abraham Kuenen and Julius Wellhausen “J” (Yahwistic), “E” (Elohistic), “D” (Deuteronomistic), and “P” (Priestly) documents “J” (Yahwistic), “E” (Elohistic), “D” (Deuteronomistic), and “P” (Priestly) documents

GKW Documentary Hypothesis J Source: J Source: Yahweh as God’s name Yahweh as God’s name Ca BC Ca BC E Source: E Source: Elohim Elohim Ca BC Ca BC

Documentary Hypothesis Cont. D Source: D Source: Core material in Deuteronomy Core material in Deuteronomy “Pious fraud” in 621 BC (Josiah’s Reform) “Pious fraud” in 621 BC (Josiah’s Reform) P Source: P Source: Written by priests during exile Written by priests during exile Ca. 550 BC-end of 4 th century BC Ca. 550 BC-end of 4 th century BC

Other Critical Methods in Biblical Study Form Criticism Form Criticism Hermann Gunkel ( ) Hermann Gunkel ( ) Redaction Criticism Redaction Criticism Gerhard von Rad ( ) and Martin Noth ( ) Gerhard von Rad ( ) and Martin Noth ( ) Archaeology Archaeology W.F. Albright ( ) W.F. Albright ( ) Literary Criticism Literary Criticism Sociological approaches Sociological approaches

Historicity of Exodus and Conquest  The Exodus is at the heart of Israel’s historically based faith  Exodus-conquest theme is found in: Ps 74:12-15; 77:15-20; 78:12-53; 103:7; 105:25-42 Ps 74:12-15; 77:15-20; 78:12-53; 103:7; 105:25-42 Hos 2:14-15; Jer 2:1-6; Eze 16:8-13 Hos 2:14-15; Jer 2:1-6; Eze 16: nd exodus theme in Isa 43:1-7; Jer 23:7-8 2 nd exodus theme in Isa 43:1-7; Jer 23:7-8

Historicity of Exodus and Conquest  Date of Exodus Biblical account: 966 BC Biblical account: 966 BC yrs after Exodus = 1446 BCExodus Merneptah Stele (ca BC) mentioned Israel Merneptah Stele (ca BC) mentioned Israel Modern scholars favor last quarter of 13 th century Modern scholars favor last quarter of 13 th century But a 15 th century BC date is quite possible But a 15 th century BC date is quite possible

Merneptah’s Stele AThe princes are prostrate, saying “Peace!” AThe princes are prostrate, saying “Peace!” Not one raises his head among the Nine Bows. Not one raises his head among the Nine Bows. B Lying broken is Tehenu; B Lying broken is Tehenu; Hatti is pacified; Hatti is pacified; Plundered is Canaan with every evil. Plundered is Canaan with every evil. C Carried off is Ashkelon; C Carried off is Ashkelon; Seized upon is Gezer; Seized upon is Gezer; Yanoam is made as that which does not exist. Yanoam is made as that which does not exist. B’ Israel is laid waste, B’ Israel is laid waste, His seed is not; His seed is not; Hurru is become a widow because of Egypt! Hurru is become a widow because of Egypt! A’All lands together are pacified A’All lands together are pacified Everyone who was restless has been bound Everyone who was restless has been bound by the King of the Upper and Lower Egypt, by the King of the Upper and Lower Egypt, Ba-en-Re-mery-Amun, son of Re, Ba-en-Re-mery-Amun, son of Re, Merneptah-hotep-hir-Maat, granted life Merneptah-hotep-hir-Maat, granted life like Re daily. like Re daily.

Scholarly Models for Israel’s Emergence in Canaan Conquest Model: Albright, Yadin Conquest Model: Albright, Yadin Immigration Model: Alt, Noth Immigration Model: Alt, Noth Revolt Model: Mendenhall, Gottwald Revolt Model: Mendenhall, Gottwald Gradual Emergence Model: Recent proposal Gradual Emergence Model: Recent proposal

Hazor (Jabin’s Palace)

Burnt layer in Jabin’s Palace

Hazor

Jericho (Ancient City Wall)

Jericho (EB City Wall)

Jericho (Siege Ramp)

Lachish

Lachish

Chronology of Archaeological Periods in Canaan Middle Bronze Age (MB) Middle Bronze Age (MB) MB I MB I MBII MBII Late Bronze Age (LB) Late Bronze Age (LB) LB I LB I LB II LB II Iron Age (Iron) Iron Age (Iron) Iron I Iron I Iron II Iron II Iron III Iron III

Structure of Pentateuch Introduction Introduction Genesis: 1-11; Genesis: 1-11; Divine Law at Sinai Divine Law at Sinai Exodus: 1-15:21; 15:22-18; 19-24; Exodus: 1-15:21; 15:22-18; 19-24; Leviticus Leviticus Numbers: 1-25; Numbers: 1-25; Conclusion Conclusion Deuteronomy: 1:1-5; 1:6-34:12 Deuteronomy: 1:1-5; 1:6-34:12

Deut. Pattern after Hittite Treaty Preamble: 1:1-5 Historical Prologue: 1:6-4:49; recap 29:2-8 Stipulations: Basic 5-11; Detailed 12-26; recap 29:9-31:8 Deposition of Texts: 31:9, Public Reading: 31:10-13 Witnesses: 30:19; 31:19, 26; 32:1-43 Curses & Blessings: 28:1-14, Formal Oath: 27:9-26 Ceremony: 27

Covenant Theology Noahic Covenant Noahic Covenant Abrahamic Covenant Abrahamic Covenant Mosaic/Sinai Covenant Mosaic/Sinai Covenant Davidic Covenant Davidic Covenant

What does the biblical text tell us about God, human, and the world? Nature of God Nature of God Nature of human Nature of human Nature of Creation Nature of Creation