What was going on when the Pentateuch was written?

Answer 1

A:The development of the Pentateuch had a long history, beginning around 900 BCE, with the writing of the Yahwist, until it was finalised by the Redactor some time around 500 BCE. All the contributors to the Pentateuch were anonymous, but have been assigned source names by scholars, to aid in discussion.

When the source now known as the Yahwist wrote, perhaps as early as 950 BCE, the United Monarchy of Israel could have been at its height, although the Yahwist was only interested in the traditions of people of Judah. If he wrote around 900 BCE or even a little later, Judah is assumed to have been ruled by kings of the early divided monarchy, described in The Bible. Either way, many scholars are now of the view that there never was a United Monarchy, with some scholars actually believing that Judah was not yet ruled by kings.

When the source now known as the Elohist wrote, perhaps as early as the ninth century BCE, Israel was ruled by powerful kings. The Elohist was only interested in the traditions of people of Israel.

When the source now known as the Deuteronomist wrote, probably during the reign of King Josiah in the seventh century BCE, Israel had fallen to the Assyrians and no longer existed. Judah was coming under pressure, but would not be conquered until more than a hundred years into the future.

When the Priestly Source wrote, Babylon had conquered Judah, and the Jews had been taken into exile.

The Pentateuch was not really complete until the Redactor had finalised it some time after the end of the Babylonian Exile. The Jews had been allowed to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the city, its wall and its Temple.