The Jahwist source (or Jahwist), often abbreviated as J, is a hypothetical source of the (the first five books of the ) according to the documentary hypothesis. Here are some key points:
Origin and Definition
Documentary hypothesis: This hypothesis, developed in the 19th century by scholars such as Julius Wellhausen, proposes that the is a compilation of four distinct sources: Jahwist, , Deuteronomist and Priestly.
Divine name: The Jahwist source is so named because it frequently uses the divine name (or Yahweh) for God.
Characteristics
Style and theology: The Jahwist source is characterized by an anthropomorphic style, describing God with human traits. It emphasizes the relationship between God and human beings, as well as the land and human corruption1.
Attributed passages: Passages such as the creation of man and woman (Genesis 2:4b-25), the fall of man (Genesis 3), and the call of Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-15) are attributed to this source.
Dating and validity
Dating: Scholars have proposed different periods for the writing of the Jahwist source, ranging from the monarchic period (10th century BCE) to the exilic/post-exilic period (6th-5th century BCE).
Validity: The documentary hypothesis, including the Jahwist source, is no longer widely accepted by contemporary scholars, who prefer other models to explain the composition of the .
The Jahwist source is therefore an important concept in the study of the , although its existence and importance are debated among scholars.