Q&A: Dating the Writing of the Pentateuch According to Scholarship
Dating the Writing of the Pentateuch According to Scholarship
Question
The question is directed to anyone who knows what the most widely accepted scholarly view is regarding the time when the Pentateuch was written. I understand that this was a long period of rewriting and editing, but I would especially like to learn about the Book of Exodus. Roughly what years did it begin to be written, and when was the work completed? Thanks to those who respond.
Answer
It seems to me more efficient to search online.
Discussion on Answer
As Rabbi Michi said, it’s worth searching online, but in these matters you really have to be careful about researchers’ biases, and investigate the topic very thoroughly. The subject of biblical criticism is saturated beyond measure with biases, distortions, and theories (both from the religious side and from the secular side), and the fact that someone has the title Prof. doesn’t mean he isn’t a liar.
Ah, on this topic it’s very simple: every scholar has a different opinion, although I think the mainstream view today places the Book of Exodus somewhere around the middle of the First Temple period.
I did start looking there, and the answers there were a bit confusing.