Yahwist Narrative (J)

1. Yahwist Narrative (J)

The Temple Mount of Jerusalem In classical source analysis the Yahwist writer lived in Jerusalem at the time of David or Solomon. This picture, taken from the Mount of Olives, views the Dome of the Rock, which is built on the site of Solomon's temple. Photo by Barry Bandstra

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The earliest written source of the Torah is the Yahwist narrative. It got this name because it uses the divine name Yahweh to refer to God. Its story line formed the backbone of the Torah narrative, with the other sources building on it. The Yahwist is sometimes considered an epic because in rather sweeping and inclusive style it tells the story of how humanity developed and how one branch became the people of God. It frequently makes use of anthropomorphism; that is, it often describes God as having human characteristics, such as when he walked with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.
    The Yahwist source is referred to as J in scholarly literature because German scholars first formulated this source analysis and Yahweh begins with a "J" in German. It appears to contain the first account of where the nation of Israel came from and why the nation was special to God. This national story provided a common identity for all the people united under the rule of the Davidic dynasty. The Yahwist composed his story sometime during the reign of Solomon (961-922 B.C.E.), though some scholars would date this source as much as a century later. Remembering that it was written at the time of the early monarchy in Judah is one way to remember to associate the Yahwist, or J source, with Judah - both begin with J.
    The Yahwist source was written out of love for the royal house, providing a sense of history and a sense of destiny for the grand new kingdom of David. The Solomonic era was most conducive to such a historical project. This golden age had the resources and provided the opportunity to write a national epic. Royally sponsored scribal schools provided the training, royal income supported the work, and the increased international contact afforded by the new international status of Israel stimulated historical reflection, and perhaps even prompted in some measure the need for a national story.
    The Yahwist was especially interested in those traditions that supported the legitimacy of Davidic rule and the centrality of the tribe of Judah. He (or she, if Bloom 1990 is correct) believed that God's plan was working itself out in the rule of David and Solomon. The Yahwist came from Judah, so he naturally thought highly of King David. David was originally from Bethlehem in Judah, and ruled from Hebron, a major city in Judah, for many years.
    The Judah connection is evident in the Yahwist's interest in Abraham. The bulk of the Abraham traditions are associated with locations in and around Judah. For example, several Yahwist stories of Abraham have him living in Hebron (Genesis 13:18; 23:2). On the other hand, the Jacob stories are generally located in the north or in Transjordan.
    There are other obvious connections between the patriarch Abraham and the kingdom of David. The covenant God made with Abraham promised that his descendants would possess the land "from the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates" (Genesis 15:18-21). Not coincidentally, this turns out to be the extent of the nation under King David.
    Thus, the Yahwist epic provided supportive history and a theological foundation for David's new empire. Going back to its primeval stories, it first exposed the need for an enlightened empire by painting a picture of human sin and natural rebellion. Then, by unfolding the groundwork of the empire in Yahweh's promises to Abraham, it revealed the plan of Yahweh. David's empire was its culmination. The Yahwist is bold and honest in his portrayal of Israel's early history. He does not overly glorify the role of Yahweh's chosen ones, and has a keen sense for human failing. Yet his eye is always on the promises of Yahweh, which wend their way to fulfillment within the crucible of human history.
    As you read the Pentateuch, watch for these features of the Yahwist:

• divine promises, curse on disobedience
• sin as the impulse to be like God or the gods
• geographical locations in Judah
• use of anthropomorphic imagery (God with human characteristics)
• use of the divine name YHWH

 Table A Yahwist Narrative (story line, style, and theology) provides additional details and a list of Yahwist passages in the Pentateuch.