1. Torah Defined
Torah is the Hebrew term used to identify and describe the primary division of the Hebrew
Bible. This biblical division consists of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
The popular translation of this term is law. This understanding however is misleading and lacks
comprehensive definition of torah content. While there is a significant amount of legal material
found throughout the torah, especially in sections of the books Exodus, Leviticus and
Deuteronomy, the majority of its content is narrative in form (including the presentation of the
legal material). Both the legal and narrative literature is generally considered to function
didactically. Thus a more definitive translation is instruction or teaching.
Torah Content
Structure
Torah may be divided into six movements:
1. Genesis 1-11 Primeval History
2. Genesis 12-50 Ancestral History
3. Exodus 1-18 Slavery and Liberation of Hebrews
4. Exodus 19-Numbers 10:11Sojourn at Mount Sinai
5. Numbers 10:12-36:13 Wandering in the Wilderness
6. Deuteronomy Encampment in the Plains of Moab
Sources
Divine Authorship
The authoritative and infallible nature attributed to the torah by confessional
Traditions has been associated with the belief that this body of literature
(oral/written) is the actual Word(s) of God spoken to and delivered by Moses.
Mosaic Authorship
Probably due to his seminal influence and presence in the Torah, the authorship
of the Torah was and continues to be ascribed to the person of Moses. Thus,
there exist the designations: Five Books of Moses and the Law of Moses.
Torah Development
Fragmentary Hypothesis
This theory maintains that the Torah developed according to a snowball like
effect. Supposedly stories, songs, codes and proverbs revered by local
tribes/clans, composing ancient Israel and Judah; were collected in hodge-podge
fashion over an extended period of time resulting in the Torah as it presently
exists. This may explain the repetitions, variations and inconsistencies.

2. Supplemental Hypothesis
This theory maintains that a core tradition existed to which other literature was
added over an extended period of time. This may explain the loosely unified
nature of the torah.
Documentary hypothesis
Due to the use of different names for the deity, repetition, conflicts and
contradictions; the Torah was and continues to be regarded by many as being
composite nature. This theory postulates there are at least four distinctive and
identifiable sources that stand behind the Torah in its final form. The four
sources are:
J (Yahwist) - 10th-century BCE Judean (Southern Kingdom) source that
identifies the deity as Yahweh. Characteristically speaking the J source
tends to depict the deity in anthropomorphic ways. (Present throughout
Torah).
E (Elohist) – 9th- century BCE Israelite (Northern) source that identifies
the deity as Elohim. Deity is depicted in transcendent ways and
communicates with humans through messengers and prophets. (Present
throughout Torah after Genesis 15).
D (Deuteronomist) - a late 7th -century BCE reinterpretation (possibly
revision) of the ancient legal traditions (Exodus-Leviticus) that probably
serves the theological undergirding of the Former Prophets. The theology
of this source tends to be retributive in nature and promotes the sole
worship of Yahweh at the central sanctuary (probably refers to
Jerusalem). (Believed to be contained solely in the book of
Deuteronomy).
P (Priestly) - an exilic source interested in cultic regulations, covenants
and codes that is traditionally assumed to be the final editor of the Torah.
This source supposedly makes use of genealogies as the major means of
organizing the Torah. (Present throughout Torah revealing divine name
of Yahweh after Exodus Chapter 6).
This theory maintains that the J and E sources were redacted and merged
together following the fall of the Northern Kingdom 721 BCE, via a Judean
redactor, when Israelite refugees who escaped the destruction brought their

3. traditions with them to Jerusalem. This ancient tradition was then rediscovered
and reinterpreted in the late 7th-century BCE by D source yet another Judean
source. Finally, during exile and perhaps even post-exile the Priestly source
collects the existing sources and provides a final redaction of the Torah by
organizing the material using genealogies and covenants.
Torah Literature
General View
The literature of the Torah is set within a narrative framework. The two main
genres are:
 Narrative (myth, legend, fable, sacred history, novella, type-scene,
proverb, song, reports, etc)
 Legal/Official (codes, covenants and geneaologies)