Old Testament Canon, Documentary Hypothesis, and Key Terms (Study Notes)

Flashcards covering Tanakh structure, the Documentary Hypothesis, key terms, and creation-related figures.

What is the Tanakh?

The Hebrew Bible, consisting of Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).

Name the three sections of the Tanakh.

Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim.

List the four sections of the Old Testament in order.

Law, History, Writings (Wisdom), Prophets.

What is the Documentary Hypothesis?

The theory that the Torah was compiled from four sources: J (Yahwist), E (Elohist), D (Deuteronomic), and P (Priestly).

What are the four sources in the Documentary Hypothesis?

J (Yahwist), E (Elohist), D (Deuteronomic), P (Priestly).

Who was Julius Wellhausen?

The German scholar who formulated the Documentary Hypothesis about the Pentateuch’s composition.

What is the Yahwist Source?

A source that uses the name Yahweh (YHWH) for God and often presents anthropomorphic depictions.

What is the Elohist Source?

A source that uses Elohim for God and emphasizes revelations through dreams; associated with the northern tradition.

What is the Deuteronomic Source?

A source that emphasizes law, covenant, and Deuteronomic reforms.

What is the Priestly Source?

A source that is of genesis 1 talks about the transcendent view of god how he is a higher up, uses Elohim before revealed to Moses

Who were the Masoretes?

Scribes who copied and preserved the Hebrew Bible, adding vocalization and Masora notes.

What is the Masoretic Text?

The authoritative Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible with Masoretic notes.

What does Transmission mean in biblical studies?

The process by which biblical texts have been copied and passed down through time.

What is the Tetragrammaton?

The four-letter name of God, YHWH.

What does the word Elohim refer to?

A Hebrew term for God used especially in the Elohist source.

What is Enuma Elish?

A Babylonian creation myth describing the creation of the world and humanity.

Who is Marduk?

The chief god in Enuma Elish who defeats Tiamat and creates order.

Who is Tiamat?

The primordial goddess of the ocean in Enuma Elish, slain to form the world.

What does 'Anthropomorphic' mean?

Attributing human characteristics to God.

What is Monotheism?

Belief in one God.

What is Polytheism?

Belief in many gods.

What is Henotheism?

Belief in one god as supreme while acknowledging others exist.

What does ruach mean?

Wind, breath, or Spirit in Hebrew.

What do the Hebrew terms adam, adamah, ish, and ishshah mean?

adam = human; adamah = ground/earth; ish = man; ishshah = woman.