The liberal understanding of the Pentateuch is encapsulated in what is called the JEPD theory. Each of those letters stands for a source or period in the Pentateuch’s development. J stands for the “Jehovah source,” the oldest portions of the law, which use the name Jehovah for God. E stands for the “Elohim source.” This material used the name Elohim for God. Next came the P or priestly documents, and last of all came D. D stands for the compilations by the Deuteronomist or Deuteronomic school. Julius
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