The five books of Moses

are a.k.a. The Pentateuch,

the Books of the Law, the
Law, and the Torah
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers
and Deuteronomy are sometimes
referred to as:

•the "Five Books of Moses," because

the writings themselves identify the
author as Moses, or
•the "Pentateuch," a Greek term
meaning"pente (5) teuchos
(volumes),"

•the "Books of the Law",

•the "Torah" (a Hebrew word

meaning "instruction")
These books were originally
written as a single unbroken
scroll. Sometime before the
2nd Century BCE, it was
divided into the 5 books that
we see today.
Beliefs of conservative
theologians:
Ancient Jewish and Christian writers,
such as Ecclesiasticus, Josephus, Philo,
and Origen were essentially in full
agreement that the Pentateuch was
written solely by Moses. The Mishnah and
the Talmud also confirm this. Tradition
during the first millennium of Christian
history agrees with this belief.
Since conservative Christians believe
in the inerrancy (freedom from error)
of the Bible, the matter of authorship
is settled and is not open to debate.
Moses wrote at least the vast majority
of the Pentateuch. Some suggest that
he authored all five books, and that
the account of his death and burial
was a prophecy by Moses.
Beliefs of mainline and liberal
theologians:
They generally accept the
"Documentary Hypothesis" which
asserts that the Pentateuch was
written by a group of four authors,
from various locations in Palestine,
over a period of centuries. Each
wrote with the goal of promoting
his/her own religious views:
J: a writer who used JHWH as the
"unpronounceable name of God." It is
often translated as Jehovah.
E: a writer who used Elohim as the divine
name.
D: the author of the book
of Deuteronomy.
P: a writer who added material of major
interest to the priesthood.
The Four Tradition Sources of the
Pentateuch
Yahwist Tradition (J) ca 10th-9th Century BCE
 Originated in the southern kingdom of Judah
 Materials: creation account until the death of Jacob

Characteristics:
- Stylistic elegance, colorful presentation of dialogue
 Portrays God as human (anthropomorphism)
 Uses very perceptive psychology (pre-conscious innate aspects of
the human cognitive system)
 Have very profound theological insights about
man, God, life, etc.
 Favors the younger son(prominence of younger
son)
 Optimistic in presentation (victory in times of
defeat)
 Presents a communication
between God and his
people with boldness of
conviction
Elohist Tradition (E) ca 9th-8th
Century BCE
Originated in the northern kingdom of Israel
 Materials: from Abraham onwards
Characteristics:

- more restricted in scope(presents Abraham

as
prophet Gen. 20:7
- Avoid anthropomorphism; presents God in a
form of symbols such as angels, fire,
visions, dreams, clouds, etc.
- Very didactic (instructional)

- Lacks color and spontaneity

- Presents God’s relationship with

Israel in an overlord vassal treaty

- Shows preference of an
idealised desert experience
Deuteronomic Tradition (D) ca 7th century
BCE
 Originated in Judah through the
book ofDeuteronomy found during
the reign of king Josiah
Material: Book of Deuteronomy
Characteristics:

- Hortatory in style

- Predominant words like You, Now, Today

- Highlights the centralization of worship without
immoralities
- Basic theological contribution is the conception of
the covenant(with God being
the loving God and
the Israelites responding to God’s
election of them as his own people).
Priestly Tradition (P) ca 6th Century
BCE
- Originated in Judah; connected with priests in
Jerusalem
- Materials: creation story; later half of Exodus;
most numbers; all of Leviticus
Characteristics:

- Liturgical overtones(there are process of

cleansing, purging, sanctifying)
- very redundant
- Uses chronological precision
- Uses genealogies often
- Uses minute description of ritual elements
- avoid anthropomorphism