User:Black1979-PJ/sandbox

History of the Text

The text of Judges 6-8 combines earlier source material used as a building block for the text people read today. Which is why some scholars are hesitant to provide a date for when it was rewritten. While other scholars are more inclined to date the text to when it was places in its final form. And the scholars who hold this perspective do not look to place a date on the early source material. The Deuteronomic, or D source material has an overwhelming presence in Judges 6-8. The earlier source material used is present. However, the message and theological view has the style of the Deuteronomistic school of Authors. While there are other source material within chapter 6-8 a understanding of D and the purpose of the author’s writing of the text is needed.

The D source comes from the Documentary Hypothesis, by scholars who questioned who wrote the Torah. As credit was given to Moses as being the author. And after researching concluded Moses did not write the Torah, and they credited scribes from different theological schools. From the Documentary Hypothesis scholars found these sources. The oldest being the Yahwist (J), then the Elohist (E), then the Deuteronomists (D), and the last one is the Priestly (P) source; and they each have different theological views, writing styles, and purpose for writing. D writes to bring authority and legitimacy to their theological beliefs, by use prominent voices from the past.

Moreover, a majority of scholars view Ch’s 6-8 as a post-exilic reworking of the text after the Babylonian exile, as the people returned to their homeland. Yahwist source material in Judges 6-8 is distinguishable by the use of God’s name יְהֹוָה YHWH as E and D material uses‎ אֱלֹהִ֑ים Elohim as the generic form of God’s name. J’s use of YHWH demonstrates God had revealed his name to the people before Moses encounter at Mt. Sinai. While E, P, and D believe God did not reveal his name until the encounter at Mt. Sinai.

The author's purpose for writing is to show how a breach in the covenant between them and God lead to danger. Using a pre-monarch historical view, the author show a cycle disobedience, followed by enslavement by an oppressive regime, and followed by crying out by the people. Then God hears and sends a judge to free them, and for a period can live in peace. The author does this as a reminder for the people of the post-exilic era what happens when they turn from God.