How did German scholars determine there were different sources for material in the Old Testament?

Answer 1

A:While American scholars are at the forefront of biblical study today, German scholars were pre-eminent in this field in the nineteenth century. In 1806-7 W. M. L. DeWette, a German scholar, published a study of the Old Testament in which he suggested that the book supposedly found in the Temple in 621 BCE, during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (2 Kings chapters 22-23), was the Book of Deuteronomy.

Source criticism originated and developed with a focus on the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament, using criteria by which the original sources of the Pentateuch could be separated from one another. Julius Wellhausen, a German scholar distinguished four sources which he called the Yahwist ('J Source'), Elohist ('E Source'), Deuteronomist ('D Source'), and Priestly ('P Source') sources. He argues that these sources were from different, sometimes conflicting, schools of thought at different time periods. J and E were considered quite early sources because of the early form of Hebrew used, with Wellhausen considering J to be earlier than E because it appeared to contain the more primitive elements. J has been dated to the tenth and E to the ninth centuries BCE. D and P used a relatively modern form of the Hebrew language.

• It was noticed that one source, the Yahwist (J), who had a vivid, colourful style, consistently used Yahweh as the name for an anthropomorphic God with human characteristics, one who made promises and covenants with his chosen people. The Yahwist called the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Palestine, Canaanites, and the mountain of God, Sinai. The source's main interests were the southern kingdom, Judah, and the Aaronid priesthood.
• The Elohist (E) had a moderately eloquent style and used 'Elohim' as the name for a more transcendent God who required obedience and was feared by his people. People could never look at the Elohist's God, so he typically came in dreams or visions, but sometimes in the form of a cloud or a flame. The Elohist called the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Palestine, Amorites, and the mountain of God, Horeb.This source came from the northern kingdom of Israel, and was generally more concerned with general stories than individuals.
• In line with the needs of a strong monarchy, the Deuteronomist (D) source emphasised centralisation of worship and governance in Jerusalem. D is noteworthy for the repetitive use of certain phrases particular to this source.
• The Priestly source (P) used the names Elohim and El Shaddai to describe a remote and unmerciful God. This source drew on the earlier works of J and E, changing details to suit the priestly point of view. P had a low level of literary style and focussed on the formal relations between God and society.

Since the nineteenth century, the Documentary Hypothesis has been improved and revised by both German and American scholars. There have also been challenges to it, notably from Professor Albright, whose work has in turn been challenged.