The Origins of P

Literary Profiles and Strata of the Priestly Texts in Genesis 1 - Exodus 40

by Jurg Hutzli

Book cover: The Origins of P

Extent: 458 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Biblical Studies

Series: Forschungen zum Alten Testament

Series volume number: 164

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(April 2023)

ISBN: 9783161615450

9.09 x 6.06 inches

Price: $193.00

In stock

Jurg Hutzli analyses all texts in the books of Genesis and Exodus, which Hebrew Bible scholars consider belong to the so-called “Priestly Scriptures” (P), an ensemble of theologically and stylistically related texts. The author examines important questions concerning P, namely literary affiliation, literary profile and historical background.


In this study, Jurg Hutzli analyses all Priestly texts in Genesis-Exodus. He evaluates crucial questions concerning P, namely inner stratification, literary profile, historical setting, and relationship to the non-P “environment” separately for each Priestly unit or section. An important result of the author’s study is the conclusion that the Priestly texts form a stratum that is more composite and less homogeneous than previously thought. Single units like Gen. 1, the Priestly flood story, and the Priestly Abraham narrative have their own distinct theologies that do not fit that of the comprehensive Priestly composition in every respect. Furthermore, as recent studies point out, the literary profile of P is not the same in every section (either a source or a redaction). The author evaluates these observations diachronically for an inner differentiation of the Priestly strand.

  • By (author) Jürg Hutzli