THE PENTATEUCHAL TRADITIONS

THE YAHWISTIC TRADITION (J) Historical Background: This tradition is so called because from the beginning, it calls God Yahweh. It doubtlessly comes from the time of Solomon (between 965-926 BC) and originated in royal circles in Jerusalem. The writings are also known as the Sacred Judean History. Situation: This tradition was begun in the time of Solomon and continued under his first successor in the Kingdom of Judah. It is impossible to know for certain what was the occasion that spurred the Yahwist into writing. It is reasonable to believe that it resulted in the unification of Israel from loose independent tribes in the time of the Judges to a well knit and powerful kingdom in the time of David and Solomon. With the power of a nation, there was great danger that Israel would imitate other Kingdoms of that period, forget a theocratic history and abandon the unique spirituality determined for her by Yahweh Message: So the Yahwist reminds his readers: - that they are a people set apart, chosen and protected from other nations as promised to Abraham. God guided the destiny of Israels ancestors. Israel has a special place in the beginnings of humankind - The power of the Kingdom comes from Yahweh - For this reason, even the monarch comes in as part of the divine plan of Yahweh. The king is not the absolute monarch but is at the service of God and people - God guided the destiny of Israels ancestors. Israel has a special place in the beginnings of humankind - God is presented in communion with the human family and close relationship with his chosen ones. Characteristics of the Yahwist: - He is a marvelous storyteller. His stories are very vivid, concrete and full of imagery. - His style of writing is flowing, colourful, pungent and economical - Makes use of foreshadowing (literary device) - Gives popular etymologies of the names of people and places - He presents God with human attributes (anthropomorphism) THE ELOHISTIC TRADITION (E) Historical Background: So called because it calls God Elohim. It came into being perhaps around 850-750 BC in the Northern Kingdom, after the united kingdom of David and Solomon had spilt into two. The writings are also known as the Sacred History of the North. Situation: In the Northern Kingdom, there was great temptation to abandon the true God and serve the Baals, or at least serve both. It was no longer possible to trust in the king for maintenance of the true faith because he was no longer a descendant of David. The Prophets (Elijah, Amos, Hosea) vigorously reminded the people that there was only one possible covenant which God had made with his people

Message: The writer follows the message of the prophets to remind the people of their traditions which is one way of involving them in the covenant. The writer emphasizes the Covenant with Abraham and the Sinai Covenant to arouse the religious feelings of the people to be faithful to the Covenant and fear God. Characteristics of the Elohist: - God is presented in theophanies, dreams, mediums, intermediaries (angles) and spectacular manifestations. One cannot make any image of God. The Elohist avoids anthropomorphism - The Elohists are interested in moral questions and the developing sense of sin - The true man of God are not the Kings and the priests but the Prophets - Different vocabulary from the Yahwist. Eg. Horeb instead of Sinai, Amorites instead of Canaanites, Jethro instead of Hobab/Rueul - Prominence given to figures such as Joseph, his mother Rachel, sons Ephraim and Manasseh and to places such as Bethel and Shechem in the Northern Kingdom.

THE DEUTERONOMISTIC TRADITION (D) Historical Background: Is contained above all in the book of Deuteronomy. It was begun in the Northern Kingdom and completed in Jerusalem - 622 BC. Date of composition either B.C. 715-689 (Hezekiah) or B.C. 687-642 (Manasseh) Situation: In the Northern Kingdom, before the fall of Samaria (721 BC) people were becoming aware that the Law once given by Moses did not suit with reality. The Law had been drawn up for a nomadic people. So there was a need to bring in a second edition (second law). The Deuteronomist writers collected these laws and interpreted them, taking into account the message of the prophets (Elijah, Amos. Hosea) Message: The writers discovered that the Law given by God to his people was not just a kind of contract but a covenant, a bond of love like that which unites the lover and the beloved (Hos. 1-3). The writer also stresses the need to be obedient to the Law as a sign of love Characteristics of the Deuteronomist: - the style is very emotional. The author is not content to teach but to convince the people that they should obey - the Deuteronomists present God as the sole God of Israel. He chose Israel for himself. He has given them a land on condition that they remain faithful to the covenant - uses Covenant renewal sermons - Parochial, pastoral, priestly - Special oratorical exhortary style that is recognizable even in legislation - Didactic literature in sermon form - Legal code - Consists of the traditions of the Northern Kingdom brought to Jerusalem by the Levites after the fall of Israel.

THE PRIESTLY TRADITION (P) Historical Background: Came into being during the Babylonian exile, in the year 587-538 BC and later. Situation: The Jews are now in exile in Babylonia. They had lost everything that made them a nation no land, no king, no Temple. They are in shock at the destruction of Jerusalem (587 BC). There was a risk that they might become assimilated and destroyed like the Northern Kingdom. They were also in a foreign land amidst foreign gods, rituals and cultures. How do they sustain their faith in exile? Prophets like Ezekiel and Deutero Isaiah (who were priests) were their hope. Message: The Priestly writer writes during this time. The priests reread past history in the context of exile. How can we believe in God in this Babylonia which celebrates Marduk as creator? The writer writes to reaffirm the peoples faith, showing that God is the creator of all things. Israel is a worshipping community that worships God and is called to be faithful to God through the observance of the laws of worship. (eg. the affirmation of the Sabbath rule as well as other rites and rituals). Also He shows the place of other nations in Gods plan. Characteristics of the Priestly writer: - The priestly writer loves figures and lists. Genealogies often appear in his writing. This is important for a people in exile without roots. The writer gives the people a history and connects this history up to creation - Worship is of utmost importance to the writer. He details out the rules of rituals, customs, festival and temple worship - It is in worship that one encounters God (a transcendent idea of God). - Presents God as Elohim in the primeval era, El Shaddai in ancestral era, Yahweh in Mosaic era. - Style is somber, redundant, abstract as well as systematic/orderly

Compiled by College General Philosophers OT Class 2003