Bible/King James/Documentary Hypothesis

The documentary hypothesis hypothesizes four primary sources (traditionally known as J, E, P, and D) for the Torah. These translations are based on the King James version of the Bible. This learning resource employs the latest iteration of the Documentary Hypothesis, known as the New Documentary Hypothesis. The New Documentary Hypothesis considers the four main sources to have been independent at the moment of redaction into the Torah, with a number of insertions into the redacted document by later scribes.

Diagram of one version of the Documentary Hypothesis.

*	includes most of Leviticus
†	includes most of Deuteronomy
‡	"Deuteronomic history": Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings

The resource provides two ways to view the sources. The first method highlights the various sources as one reads through the Torah. The second method extracts each source's content from the Torah, and compiles it into a single, flowing document.

The text with sources highlighted

• Genesis
• Exodus
• Leviticus
• Numbers
• Deuteronomy

The Sources

• Jahwist source ("J")
  • The Song of Lamech
  • The Blessing of Jacob
  • The Song of the Sea
• Elohist source ("E")
  • The Covenant Code

• Priestly source ("P")
  • The narrative elements of P
  • The legal elements in "P"
    • The Levitical laws
    • The Holiness code ("H")
      • The list of sexual prohibitions
    • The list of clean and unclean animals
  • Ritual elements in "P"
    • The guides to ritual
    • The description of the tabernacle, incense, and vestments
    • The list of duties of the Levite families
  • Tallies in "P"
    • The list of altar dedication offerings
    • The list of spoils from the midianites
  • Genealogies in "P"
    • The Genealogy of the children of Abraham
    • The genealogy of nations
  • Specifications of the components of Israel in "P"
    • The Israelite census
    • The description of the limits of Canaan
• Deuteronomist source ("D")
  • First Deuteronomists Version ("Dtr1")
    • The Narrative elements in "Dtr1"
    • The Deuteronomic Laws
    • Words for rituals in "Dtr1"
      • The Prayer of the Tithe
      • The Prayer of Firstfruits
      • The List of Mount Ebal curses
      • The Pairs of Curses and Blessings
    • The List of clean and unclean food
  • Additions for the Second Deuteronomist Version ("Dtr2")
    • The Song of Moses
    • The Blessing of Moses
    • Threats and Promises
• Redaction Sources ("R")
  • Book of generations
  • The stations list
  • Additional Rituals
  • Explanatory Additions
  • Resolution of conflicts between sources
• Sources by Chapter and Verse