E Source - The Elohist (9th-8th centuries BCE)

Geographic and Historical Context

  • Origin: Northern Kingdom of Israel
  • Period: Divided Kingdom era
  • Prophetic Connections: Links to northern prophetic traditions
  • Political Context: Pre-722 BCE Assyrian conquest

Literary Characteristics

  • Divine Name: Uses Elohim (God) until Sinai Revelation
  • Style: More abstract, less anthropomorphic than J
  • God’s Character: Transcendent, communicates through dreams/angels
  • Language: Formal, reverent, emphasizes divine distance
  • Narrative Technique: Focuses on divine communication methods

Theological Themes

  • Transcendent Deity: God above human limitations
  • Fear of God: Reverential awe as proper human response
  • Prophetic Tradition: Dreams, visions, divine messengers
  • Moral Testing: God tests human faithfulness (Binding of Isaac)
  • Divine Protection: God watches over the faithful

Key Content in Torah

  • Patriarchal Material: Binding of Isaac (Genesis 22), some Abraham stories
  • Joseph Narrative: Primary source for Genesis 37-50
  • Exodus: Aaron’s role, golden calf incident, covenant renewal
  • Sinai Tradition: Legal material, divine revelation protocols
  • Numbers: Balaam oracles, some wilderness traditions

Distinctive Features

  • Northern Geography: Shechem, Bethel, northern tribal interests
  • Prophetic Elements: Emphasis on divine communication
  • Priestly Concerns: Aaron’s legitimacy (different from P’s approach)
  • Covenant Formality: More structured covenant relationships

Integration with J

  • JE Combination: Often merged so thoroughly that separation is difficult
  • Redactional Process: Combined after 722 BCE northern kingdom fall
  • Complementary Perspectives: J’s immediacy balanced by E’s transcendence