Documentary Hypothesis - Characteristics of J and P (JEDP full hypothesis)

Characteristics of the "J" or Yahwist Source - (J in German pronounced like a Y in English - JHWH/YHWH)

Name of God: YHWH 

Place and Date of Origin: Consensus for a long time: Judah, c. 950 BCE, probably in the royal court circles in Jerusalem, possibly a scribal court school; recently a much later date proposed for Yahwist by a number of scholars.

Cult Centers: Hebron, Beer-sheba both in Judah

Persons of Interest: Abraham

Style: Vivid, earthy, story form, economy of detail, puns, interest in human psychology, but shown in action rather than described

Vocabulary: Canaanites for natives of Canaan, Sinai for the sacred mountain, Reuel as name of Moses’ father-in-law, "cursed is ... ", "from the ground"

Worldview/Theology: positive attitude toward kingship, blend of universalism (primeval history) and nationalistic concerns, YHWH portrayed anthropomorphically, YHWH is portrayed as immanent, intimate, involved, worship of YHWH reaches back to before flood to generation of Enosh, grandson of Adam, Israel is the goal of creation and the history of the world, divine promises are key

Characteristics of the "P" or Priestly Source

Name of God: Elohim in pre-Mosaic period, "YHWH" after the revelation to Moses in Exodus 6

Place and Date of Origin: Southern (Judean), oriented to priestly interests and cultic regulation, the product of generations of Temple usage. Probably given its final form after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BCE, possibly after the return from exile. Concern to define faith over against Babylonian and other religious options

Cult Centers: Jerusalem. Emphasis on Temple and priesthood.

Persons of Interest: Aaron and his sons (the progenitors of the Zadokite Jerusalem clergy)

Style: Atmosphere of worship, liturgical, genealogical, statistical, repetitive, balanced structures, austere and stylized, solemn and majestic

Vocabulary: "Toledot: these are the generations" in Gen. 2:4, 5:1, 6:9, 10:1, etc.--although some argue these come from the hand of an independent final editor; swarm, be fruitful and multiply, creeping things

Worldview/ Theology: thematic importance of blessing and curse, world ages associated with covenants - narrowing to the divine election of Israel, genealogies establish connections between people and events, progressive self-revelation of God, in creation a cosmic, heaven- centered perspective, God is portrayed as transcendent, majestic, sovereign, there is only restrained anthropomorphism, interest in the Sabbath, circumcision

 

Barry Bandstra Pages 16-28 and 70-71 has helpful information as does in less detail Bowley 112-114

Bandstra has some helpful charts:

Yahwist Narrative, Story Line, Style, etc. at http://barrybandstra.com/tables/pt1/pt1_tb2.htm

Elohist Narrative, Story Line, Style, etc. at http://barrybandstra.com/tables/pt1/pt1_tb3.htm

Priestly Narrative, Story Line, Style etc. at http://barrybandstra.com/tables/pt1/pt1_tb4.htm

    Alternative Reconstructions at http://barrybandstra.com/tables/pt1/pt1_tb5.htm which treats some alternative perspectives.