Biblical Criticism and the Documentary Hypothesis

Vocabulary flashcards covering methods of biblical criticism, approaches to scriptural interpretation, and the JEDP sources within the Documentary Hypothesis.

Fundamentalist Approach

An approach to biblical interpretation based on biblical revelation that is strictly literal.

Contextualist Approach

An approach to biblical interpretation that takes into account the context of when the text was written.

Criticism (in interpretation)

The use of different strategies to uncover the meaning of the Bible.

Textual Criticism

The study of original manuscripts.

Form/Literary Criticism

The study and interpretation of text, paying attention to how genre and literary elements are used to express meanings.

Source Criticism

Concepts and ideas to keep in mind when studying scripture, recognizing that while it is the divinely inspired word of God, it was written by human authors.

Torah

The first five books of the Bible.

Traditional View of Torah Authorship

The view that Moses wrote the Torah, despite scientific evidence showing he did not.

Claim of Documentary Hypothesis

The claim that over 500 years, the notes of the Hebrews were written down by four sections of authors, which form the five books of the Torah today.

Yahwist (J-Source)

A source from around 900 BCE (time of King David) based on peaceful oral tradition that uses the tetragrammaton YHWH for God, calls the holy mountain Mount Sinai, and depicts God as anthropomorphized.

Elohist (E-Source)

A Northern Kingdom source originating during civil war after Solomon's death (850-800 BCE)that uses the name Elohim for God, emphasizes prophecy, calls the holy mountain Mount Horeb, and depicts God speaking in dreams.

Assyrian Exile (-JE)

The period around 722 BCE when people from Israel went south to Judah with the E-source, joining it with the J-source.

Deuteronomist (D-Source)

A source from around 622 BCE associated with King Josiah that wrote Deuteronomy, retells Exodus through Numbers, calls the holy mountain Mount Horeb, and focuses on bad things being caused by disobedience to the law.

Priestly Writers (P-Source)

A source from 587/586 BCE during the Babylonian exile that edited the Torah to keep Jewish people connected, focusing on temple cult, worship, order, and genealogies.

JEDP

The four author traditions (Yahwist, Elohist, Deuteronomist, and Priestly) that comprise the sources of the Torah according to the Documentary Hypothesis.