Scholarly Research on the Pentateuch

Much of scholarly research on the Pentateuch has revolved around the question of sources and how they might be identified by differences in vocabulary, theme, and characterization.

Jason M. H. Gaines' Perspective

Jason M. H. Gaines brings a different perspective to the delineation of the Priestly source (P) by applying specific criteria for the identification of biblical Hebrew poetry. These criteria allow him to distinguish a nearly complete poetic P stratum (“Poetic P”), coherent in literary, narrative, and ideological terms, from a later prose redaction (“Prosaic P”), which is fragmentary, supplemental (filling out mundane details including names, dates, ages, places, numbers, and so on), and distinct in thematic presentation and apparent theological concern.

Gaines describes the whole of the “Poetic P” source and offers a Hebrew reconstruction of the document. He also outlines the different emphases of the two strata, including differences in the characterization of patriarchs and of God’s treatment of a disobedient Israel.

The result is a coherent and dramatically innovative understanding of the history of the Priestly composition that is sure to draw keen interest and to open up new vistas in the study of the Pentateuch.