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Source Criticism of the Pentateuch

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

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Source Criticism of the Pentateuch

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

  2. Documentary Hypothesis • Jean Astruc (1684-1766) and the older documentary hypothesis: • 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

  3. Fragmentary hypothesis • Alexander Geddes (1737-1802) and Johann Severin Vater (1771-1826) • The sources too fragmentary • The fragments had originated in two separate circles • Moses was not the author of Pentateuch • Wilhelm Martin De Wette (1780-1849) • Deuteronomy was the “Book of the Law”

  4. Supplementary hypothesis • Heinrich Georg August Ewald in 1823 • Elohistic work: basic document • older sections Ex 21-23 and the Yahwistic source were incorporated

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

  6. GKW Documentary Hypothesis • J Source: • Yahweh as God’s name • Ca. 950-850 BC • E Source: • Elohim • Ca. 750-700 BC

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

  8. Other Critical Methods in Biblical Study • Form Criticism • Hermann Gunkel (1862-1932) • Redaction Criticism • Gerhard von Rad (1901-1971) and Martin Noth (1902-1968) • Archaeology • W.F. Albright (1891-1971) • Literary Criticism • Sociological approaches

  9. 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 • Hos 2:14-15; Jer 2:1-6; Eze 16:8-13 • 2nd exodus theme in Isa 43:1-7; Jer 23:7-8

  10. Historicity of Exodus and Conquest • Date of Exodus • Biblical account: 966 BC + 480 yrs after Exodus = 1446 BC Exodus • Merneptah Stele (ca. 1210 BC) mentioned Israel • Modern scholars favor last quarter of 13th century • But a 15th century BC date is quite possible

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

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

  13. Hazor (Jabin’s Palace)

  14. Burnt layer in Jabin’s Palace

  15. Hazor

  16. Jericho (Ancient City Wall)

  17. Jericho (EB City Wall)

  18. Jericho (EB City Wall)

  19. Jericho (Siege Ramp)

  20. Lachish

  21. Lachish

  22. Chronology of Archaeological Periods in Canaan • Middle Bronze Age (MB) 2100-1500 • MB I 2100-1900 • MBII 1900-1550 • Late Bronze Age (LB) 1550-1200 • LB I 1550-1400 • LB II 1400-1200 • Iron Age (Iron) 1200-332 • Iron I 1200-1000 • Iron II 1000-586 • Iron III 586-332

  23. Structure of Pentateuch • Introduction • Genesis: 1-11; 12-50 • Divine Law at Sinai • Exodus: 1-15:21; 15:22-18; 19-24; 25-40 • Leviticus • Numbers: 1-25; 26-36 • Conclusion • Deuteronomy: 1:1-5; 1:6-34:12

  24. 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, 24-26 Public Reading: 31:10-13 Witnesses: 30:19; 31:19, 26; 32:1-43 Curses & Blessings: 28:1-14, 15-68 Formal Oath: 27:9-26 Ceremony: 27

  25. Covenant Theology • Noahic Covenant • Abrahamic Covenant • Mosaic/Sinai Covenant • Davidic Covenant

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

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