Who Wrote The Bible? (2nd Edition) Apr 2026

Named for using the name Elohim for God. Originating from the northern Kingdom of Israel around the 8th or 9th century BCE, it focuses more on northern locations and traditions.

The specific concerns, geography, and political leanings of each source reflect the real-world tensions between the northern and southern kingdoms of ancient Israel. Significance of the 2nd/Later Editions Who Wrote the Bible? (2nd Edition)

Found primarily in the Book of Deuteronomy . Friedman uniquely identifies the author of D as the prophet Jeremiah or his scribe Baruch, linked to King Josiah’s religious reforms in 621 BCE. Key Arguments & Evidence Named for using the name Elohim for God

A much larger document focused on laws, genealogies, and priestly duties, such as those found in Leviticus . Friedman argues P was written as a response to J and E. Significance of the 2nd/Later Editions Found primarily in

Friedman identifies four main voices that were woven together by a later editor to form the final text:

The Bible often tells the same story twice with different details (e.g., two versions of the creation story or the flood). Friedman explains these as the result of a Redactor (R) —likely the priest Ezra —combining multiple sources into one cohesive but sometimes inconsistent narrative.

While the core thesis remains the same, later editions available through Simon & Schuster and Amazon provide updated archaeological context and linguistic data that reinforce Friedman's original findings. These editions continue to challenge traditional views by presenting the Bible not as a monolithic document, but as a complex literary tapestry reflecting centuries of human experience and faith. Episode 27: Who Wrote the Bible? - Richard Elliott Friedman