How many major traditions are behind the Pentateuch?

Answer 1

A:The major traditions behind the Pentateuch were written down by four main sources, all of which were anonymous but who have been given names by modern scholars for ease of discussion. They are:

• The Yahwist, or 'J Source', who represented the early traditions of Judah. The Yahwist wrote these traditions around 900 BCE, but some Yahwist traditions were no doubt already at least one or two centuries old.
• The Elohist, or 'E Source', who represented the early traditions of Israel, to the north of Judah. The Elohist wrote these traditions before 722 BCE and probably before 800 BCE. Once again, the traditions were already old.
• The Deuteronomist, who wrote the Book of Deuteronomy, as well as a later history now known as the Deuteronomic History, in the seventh century BCE. Deuteronomy reflects older traditions but also the political and theological realities of the late monarchy.
• The Priestly Source, who wrote towards the end of the Babylonian Exile, or soon afterwards. The Priestly Source used the writings of his predecessors, but added material of more recent origin. This source was concerned with the creation of a powerful priesthood and the maintenance of a theocratic state.