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.

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

Friedman identifies four main voices that were woven together by a later editor to form the final text: 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 divine name Yahweh . Written in the southern Kingdom of Judah around the 9th or 10th century BCE, it features a more anthropomorphic God. Named for using the name Elohim for God

Analysis shows that the Hebrew used in different parts of the Torah reflects various historical periods, much like the difference between Shakespearean and modern English.

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. These editions continue to challenge traditional views by

Richard Elliott Friedman’s (initially published in 1987, with updated editions through 2019) is a landmark work of biblical scholarship that treats the authorship of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament) like a historical detective case.