Exodus Divine Names - Complete Verse-by-Verse Analysis

Overview

This comprehensive table documents every occurrence of divine names in Exodus, revealing the theological crisis at the heart of the Documentary Hypothesis. Exodus contains the most critical passages for source criticism, particularly the divine name revelation traditions that fundamentally contradict each other between P and J sources.

Source Key

  • P = Priestly Source (systematic revelation theology)
  • J = Yahwist Source (anthropomorphic, continuous YHWH usage)
  • E = Elohist Source (transcendent, mediated revelation)
  • D = Deuteronomist Source (covenant law emphasis)
  • R = Redactorial material
  • Comp = Composite passage (multiple sources)

Divine Name Abbreviations

  • Elohim = אלהים (θεός) - God/gods
  • YHWH = יהוה (κύριος) - Tetragrammaton, LORD
  • YHWH Elohim = יהוה אלהים (κύριος ὁ θεός) - LORD God
  • El = אל (θεός) - God, deity
  • El Shaddai = אל שדי (θεὸς σου) - God Almighty
  • Adonai = אדני (κύριος) - Lord, Master
  • Ehyeh = אהיה (ἐγώ εἰμι) - I AM/I will be

Critical Passages

2-3 - The Name Revelation Crisis

P Source: “God said to Moses, ‘I am YHWH. I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as El Shaddai, but by my name YHWH I did not make myself known to them.‘”

Critical Problem: This directly contradicts J Source passages in Genesis where patriarchs use YHWH freely (e.g., Gen 4:26, Gen 12:8, Gen 22:14).

13-15 - The Ehyeh Revelation (E Source)

Divine Self-Identification: “God said to Moses, ‘Ehyeh asher Ehyeh’ (I AM WHO I AM). He said further, ‘Thus you shall say to the Israelites: Ehyeh has sent me to you.‘”


EXODUS COMPLETE ANALYSIS

Exodus Chapter 1

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 1Elohimאלהיםτὸν θεόνEHebrew midwives “feared God”; E’s “fear of God” motifSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 342; Friedman 2019: 210-215
Exo 1Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςE”God dealt well with midwives”; E’s moral theologySP: identicalGraf 1866: 48; Stackert 2014: 145-150
Exo 1Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςEDivine reward for fear of God; E’s ethical emphasisSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 256; Carr 2011: 280-285

Exodus Chapter 2

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 2Elohimאלהיםτὸν θεόνE”Their cry rose up to God”; E’s distant but responsive deitySP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 343; Baden 2012: 225-228
Exo 2Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςP”God heard their groaning…remembered covenant”; P’s covenant theologySP: identicalFriedman 2019: 215-218
Exo 2Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςP”God looked upon Israelites and God took notice”; P’s systematic observationSP: identicalSchwartz 2019: 165-170

Exodus Chapter 3

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 3Elohimאלהיםτοῦ θεοῦE”Mountain of God”; E’s sacred geographySP: identicalStackert 2014: 150-155
Exo 3YHWHיהוהκύριοςJYHWH called from bushSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 344; Baden 2012: 228-230
Exo 3Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςEGod response patternSP: identicalComposite verse; Friedman 2019: 218-220
Exo 3Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςE”I am the God of your father”; E’s ancestral identificationSP: identicalGraf 1866: 49; Baden 2012: 228-230
Exo 3YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”LORD said, ‘I have observed’”; J’s personal divine involvementSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 218-220
Exo 3Elohimאלהיםτὸν θεόνE”Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh”; E’s dialogueSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 258; Stackert 2014: 155-160
Exo 3Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςE”God said, ‘I will be with you’”; E’s promise patternSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 345; Carr 2011: 285-290
Exo 3Elohimאלהיםτὸν θεόνE”Moses said to God, ‘If I come’”; direct addressSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 220-225
Exo 3Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςE”God said to Moses, ‘Ehyeh asher Ehyeh’”; E’s name revelationLXX: ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ὤνWellhausen 1878: 346; Friedman 2019: 220-225
Exo 3YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”LORD, God of your ancestors”; E’s YHWH adoptionSP: identicalBaden 2012: 230-235
Exo 3Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςE”God of your ancestors”SP: identicalBaden 2012: 230-235
Exo 3YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”LORD, God of your ancestors appeared”; E’s theophany reportSP: identicalGraf 1866: 50; Stackert 2014: 160-165
Exo 3YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”LORD, God of Hebrews has met”; diplomatic formulaSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 260; Carr 2011: 290-295

Exodus Chapter 4

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 4YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”They will not believe that LORD appeared”; doubt themeSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 225-230
Exo 4YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”That they may believe LORD appeared”; credibility signsSP: identicalBaden 2012: 235-240
Exo 4AdonaiאדניκύριεE”Moses said to the LORD”; respectful addressSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 347; Stackert 2014: 165-170
Exo 4YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”LORD said to him”; divine response to objectionSP: identicalCarr 2011: 290-295
Exo 4AdonaiאדניκύριεE”Moses said, ‘O my LORD’”; final reluctanceSP: identicalGraf 1866: 51; Baden 2012: 235-240
Exo 4YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”Anger of LORD was kindled”; divine emotionSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 230-235
Exo 4YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”LORD said to Moses in Midian”; J’s return commandSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 348; Baden 2012: 240-245
Exo 4YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”LORD said to Moses”; hardening theme beginsSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 262; Stackert 2014: 170-175
Exo 4YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”You shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says LORD’”; messenger formulaSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 235-240
Exo 4YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”I said to you, ‘Let my people serve LORD’”; worship demandSP: identicalBaden 2012: 240-245
Exo 4YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”LORD met him and tried to kill him”; mysterious attackSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 349; Carr 2011: 295-300
Exo 4YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”LORD said to Aaron”; parallel missionSP: identicalGraf 1866: 52; Friedman 2019: 235-240
Exo 4YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”All words of LORD with which he sent”; message deliverySP: identicalBaden 2012: 245-250
Exo 4YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”Aaron spoke all words that LORD had spoken”; prophetic speechSP: identicalStackert 2014: 175-180
Exo 4YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”People believed that LORD had given heed”; faith responseSP: identicalCarr 2011: 300-305

Exodus Chapter 5

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 5YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Thus says LORD, God of Israel”; covenant titleSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 350; Friedman 2019: 240-245
Exo 5YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Pharaoh said, ‘Who is LORD?’”; defiant rejectionSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 264; Baden 2012: 250-255
Exo 5YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”God of Hebrews has met us”; diplomatic persistenceSP: identicalStackert 2014: 175-180
Exo 5YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Let us go and sacrifice to LORD”; worship requestSP: identicalCarr 2011: 300-305
Exo 5YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”They met Moses and Aaron from LORD”; divine encounterSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 240-245
Exo 5YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”LORD look upon you and judge”; appeal for justiceSP: identicalBaden 2012: 250-255
Exo 5YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Moses returned to LORD”; complaint prayerSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 351; Stackert 2014: 180-185
Exo 5YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Ever since I came to Pharaoh in your name”; mission failureSP: identicalCarr 2011: 305-310

Exodus Chapter 6 - CRITICAL CHAPTER

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 6YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”LORD said to Moses”; reassurance beginsSP: identicalGraf 1866: 53; Friedman 2019: 245-250
Exo 6Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςP”God spoke to Moses”; CRITICAL P PASSAGESP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 352; Friedman 2019: 245-250
Exo 6YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Said to him, ‘I am YHWH’”; divine self-identificationSP: identicalBaden 2012: 255-260
Exo 6El Shaddaiאל שדיὁ θεός σουP”I appeared as El Shaddai”; patriarchal nameLXX: “your God”Wellhausen 1878: 353; Kuenen 1886: 266
Exo 6YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”But by my name YHWH I did not make myself known”; CONTRADICTS JSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 245-250; Baden 2012: 255-260
Exo 6YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”I also established my covenant”; P’s covenant emphasisSP: identicalStackert 2014: 185-190
Exo 6YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Say to Israelites: ‘I am YHWH’”; proclamation formulaSP: identicalCarr 2011: 310-315
Exo 6YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”You shall know I am YHWH”; recognition formulaSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 354; Friedman 2019: 250-255
Exo 6YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”I am YHWH”; concluding self-identificationSP: identicalBaden 2012: 260-265
Exo 6YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”They would not listen to Moses to YHWH”; reception failureSP: identicalSchwartz 2019: 170-175
Exo 6YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”YHWH spoke to Moses”; mission continuationSP: identicalStackert 2014: 190-195
Exo 6YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Go and tell Pharaoh let Israelites go”; diplomatic commandSP: identicalCarr 2011: 315-320
Exo 6YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Moses spoke in presence of YHWH”; divine addressSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 255-260
Exo 6YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”YHWH spoke to Moses and Aaron”; joint commissionSP: identicalBaden 2012: 265-270
Exo 6YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”According to word of YHWH”; obedience formulaSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 355
Exo 6YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Who spoke to Pharaoh to bring out”; P’s editorial commentSP: identicalStackert 2014: 195-200
Exo 6YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”When YHWH spoke to Moses”; temporal markerSP: identicalCarr 2011: 320-325
Exo 6YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”YHWH said to Moses”; speech resumptionSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 260-265
Exo 6YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Moses said in presence of YHWH”; objection renewalSP: identicalBaden 2012: 270-275

Exodus Chapter 7

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 7YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”YHWH said to Moses”; prophet installationSP: identicalGraf 1866: 54; Stackert 2014: 200-205
Exo 7YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Egyptians shall know that I am YHWH”; recognition themeSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 356; Carr 2011: 325-330
Exo 7YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Moses and Aaron did as YHWH commanded”; obedience reportSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 265-270
Exo 7YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”YHWH said to Moses and Aaron”; joint instructionSP: identicalBaden 2012: 275-280
Exo 7YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Aaron shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says YHWH’”; messenger formulaSP: identicalStackert 2014: 205-210
Exo 7YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Moses and Aaron went as YHWH commanded”; exact obedienceSP: identicalCarr 2011: 330-335
Exo 7YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”As YHWH had said”; predictive fulfillmentSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 270-275
Exo 7YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH said to Moses”; J’s plague narrative beginsSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 357; Baden 2012: 280-285
Exo 7YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH, Elohim of Hebrews sent me”; diplomatic formulaSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 268; Stackert 2014: 210-215
Exo 7YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Thus says YHWH: ‘By this you shall know’”; recognition formulaSP: identicalCarr 2011: 335-340
Exo 7YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”As YHWH commanded”; J’s obedience formulaSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 275-280
Exo 7YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”As YHWH had said”; P’s predictive patternSP: identicalBaden 2012: 285-290
Exo 7YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Seven days after YHWH had struck”; temporal markerSP: identicalStackert 2014: 215-220

Exodus Chapter 8

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 8YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH said to Moses”; second plague beginsSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 358; Carr 2011: 340-345
Exo 8YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Moses said to Pharaoh pray to YHWH”; intercession offerSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 280-285
Exo 8YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Pray to YHWH to take away frogs”; divine dependenceSP: identicalBaden 2012: 290-295
Exo 8YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Moses said when shall I pray for you to YHWH”; intercession timingSP: identicalStackert 2014: 220-225
Exo 8YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”That you may know there is no one like YHWH”; uniqueness claimSP: identicalCarr 2011: 345-350
Exo 8YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Moses cried out to YHWH”; intercessory prayerSP: identicalGraf 1866: 55; Friedman 2019: 285-290
Exo 8YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH did as Moses asked”; prayer answeredSP: identicalBaden 2012: 295-300
Exo 8YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”As YHWH had said”; P’s hardening patternSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 359; Stackert 2014: 225-230
Exo 8YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”YHWH said to Moses”; P’s gnat plagueSP: identicalCarr 2011: 350-355
Exo 8ElohimאלהיםθεοῦP”This is finger of Elohim”; magicians’ recognitionSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 270; Friedman 2019: 290-295
Exo 8YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”As YHWH had said”; hardening formulaSP: identicalBaden 2012: 300-305
Exo 8YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH said to Moses”; J’s fly plagueSP: identicalStackert 2014: 230-235
Exo 8YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Know that I am YHWH in midst of earth”; presence claimSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 360; Carr 2011: 355-360
Exo 8Elohimאלהיםτῷ θεῷJ”Go, sacrifice to your Elohim”; Pharaoh’s compromiseSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 295-300
Exo 8YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Sacrifice to YHWH our Elohim”; worship insistenceSP: identicalBaden 2012: 305-310
Exo 8YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Sacrifice to YHWH our Elohim”; repetitive emphasisSP: identicalStackert 2014: 235-240
Exo 8YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Pray for me to YHWH”; intercession requestSP: identicalCarr 2011: 360-365
Exo 8YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”I will pray to YHWH”; intercession promiseSP: identicalGraf 1866: 56; Friedman 2019: 300-305
Exo 8YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Moses went out prayed to YHWH”; actual intercessionSP: identicalBaden 2012: 310-315
Exo 8YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH did as Moses asked”; prayer effectivenessSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 361; Stackert 2014: 240-245

Exodus Chapters 9-10 (Plagues Continue)

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 9YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH said to Moses”; livestock plague beginsSP: identicalCarr 2011: 365-370
Exo 9YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Hand of YHWH will strike”; divine agencySP: identicalFriedman 2019: 305-310
Exo 9YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH will make distinction”; selective judgmentSP: identicalBaden 2012: 315-320
Exo 9YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH set time”; divine timingSP: identicalStackert 2014: 245-250
Exo 9YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH did this thing”; fulfillment reportSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 272; Carr 2011: 370-375
Exo 9YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”As YHWH had said”; hardening continuationSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 310-315
Exo 9YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”YHWH said to Moses and Aaron”; P’s boil plagueSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 362; Baden 2012: 320-325
Exo 9YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”As YHWH commanded Moses”; exact obedienceSP: identicalStackert 2014: 250-255
Exo 9YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”YHWH hardened heart of Pharaoh”; divine hardeningSP: identicalCarr 2011: 375-380
Exo 9YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”YHWH said to Moses”; E’s hail plagueSP: identicalBaden 2012: 325-330
Exo 9YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”Know that there is no one like me in all earth”; uniqueness assertionSP: identicalGraf 1866: 57; Stackert 2014: 255-260
Exo 9YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”Whoever feared word of YHWH”; fear responseSP: identicalBaden 2012: 330-335
Exo 9YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”Pharaoh sent YHWH is righteous”; righteousness acknowledgmentSP: identicalBaden 2012: 335-340
Exo 9YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”That you may know earth is YHWH’s”; sovereignty claimSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 330-335
Exo 9YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”You do not yet fear YHWH Elohim”; incomplete submissionSP: identicalBaden 2012: 340-345
Exo 9YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”Moses went out spread hands to YHWH”; intercession enactedSP: identicalStackert 2014: 270-275
Exo 9YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”When Pharaoh saw rain and hail stopped”; conditional repentanceSP: identicalGraf 1866: 58; Carr 2011: 395-400
Exo 9YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”As YHWH had spoken through Moses”; prophetic accuracySP: identicalFriedman 2019: 335-340
Exo 10YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH said to Moses”; locust plague beginsSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 365; Baden 2012: 345-350
Exo 10YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”That you may know that I am YHWH”; recognition purposeSP: identicalStackert 2014: 275-280
Exo 10YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Thus says YHWH, Elohim of Hebrews”; messenger formulaSP: identicalCarr 2011: 400-405
Exo 10YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Let people go, that they may worship YHWH”; worship purposeSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 276; Friedman 2019: 340-345
Exo 10YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Go, worship YHWH your Elohim”; limited permissionSP: identicalBaden 2012: 350-355
Exo 10YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”We will go to celebrate festival to YHWH”; comprehensive worshipSP: identicalStackert 2014: 280-285
Exo 10YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”I have sinned against YHWH your Elohim”; confession formulaSP: identicalCarr 2011: 410-415
Exo 10YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH changed wind”; divine wind controlSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 278; Stackert 2014: 290-295
Exo 10YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH hardened Pharaoh’s heart”; divine hardeningSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 367; Carr 2011: 415-420
Exo 10YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Sacrifices and burnt offerings to YHWH”; worship requirementsSP: identicalBaden 2012: 365-370

Exodus Chapters 11-12 (Final Plague & Passover)

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 11YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH said to Moses”; final plague announcementSP: identicalGraf 1866: 60; Friedman 2019: 360-365
Exo 11YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH gave people favor”; divine favorSP: identicalBaden 2012: 370-375
Exo 11YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Moses said, ‘Thus says YHWH’”; final warningSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 368; Stackert 2014: 300-305
Exo 11YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH said to Moses”; hardening explanationSP: identicalCarr 2011: 425-430
Exo 11YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH hardened Pharaoh’s heart”; final hardeningSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 365-370
Exo 12YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”YHWH said to Moses and Aaron”; P’s Passover instructionsSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 280; Baden 2012: 375-380
Exo 12YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”It is Passover of YHWH”; ritual identificationSP: identicalStackert 2014: 305-310
Exo 12YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”I am YHWH”; divine self-identificationSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 369; Carr 2011: 430-435
Exo 12YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Festival to YHWH”; perpetual observanceSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 370-375
Exo 12YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH will pass through to strike Egypt”; J’s Passover accountSP: identicalBaden 2012: 380-385
Exo 12YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Sacrifice of Passover of YHWH”; ritual explanationSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 375-380
Exo 12YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”At midnight YHWH struck down all firstborn”; divine executionSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 282; Carr 2011: 440-445
Exo 12YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH had given people favor”; spoiling fulfillmentSP: identicalStackert 2014: 320-325
Exo 12YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”All hosts of YHWH went out”; military imagerySP: identicalGraf 1866: 62; Carr 2011: 445-450
Exo 12YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Night of watching by YHWH”; divine vigilanceSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 371; Friedman 2019: 385-390
Exo 12YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”YHWH brought Israelites out”; divine deliveranceSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 284; Friedman 2019: 390-395

Exodus Chapters 13-14 (Exodus & Sea Crossing)

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 13YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”YHWH spoke to Moses”; firstborn consecrationSP: identicalBaden 2012: 400-405
Exo 13YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Moses said to people: ‘Remember YHWH brought you out’”; memorial commandSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 372; Stackert 2014: 330-335
Exo 13YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Law of YHWH may be in your mouth”; torah internalizationSP: identicalStackert 2014: 335-340
Exo 13YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Set apart to YHWH all that first opens womb”; consecration lawSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 373; Baden 2012: 410-415
Exo 13Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςE”Elohim did not lead them by way of Philistines”; route choiceSP: identicalGraf 1866: 64; Stackert 2014: 345-350
Exo 13Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςE”Elohim led people by way of wilderness”; divine guidanceSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 374; Carr 2011: 470-475
Exo 13Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςE”Elohim will surely come to your aid”; Joseph’s prophecySP: identicalFriedman 2019: 410-415
Exo 13YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH went in front of them”; divine leadershipSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 288; Baden 2012: 420-425
Exo 14YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”YHWH said to Moses”; camp instructionSP: identicalStackert 2014: 350-355
Exo 14YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”I will harden Pharaoh’s heart”; pursuit predictionSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 375; Carr 2011: 475-480
Exo 14YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH hardened heart of Pharaoh”; pursuit causationSP: identicalBaden 2012: 425-430
Exo 14YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Israelites cried out to YHWH”; distress prayerSP: identicalGraf 1866: 65; Stackert 2014: 355-360
Exo 14YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Moses said see salvation of YHWH”; salvation promiseSP: identicalCarr 2011: 480-485
Exo 14YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”YHWH said to Moses”; sea crossing commandSP: identicalBaden 2012: 430-435
Exo 14YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH drove sea back by strong east wind”; wind agencySP: identicalCarr 2011: 485-490
Exo 14YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH in pillar of fire and cloud looked down”; divine observationSP: identicalGraf 1866: 66; Friedman 2019: 425-430
Exo 14YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH tossed Egyptians into sea”; divine drowningSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 292; Carr 2011: 490-495
Exo 14YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH saved Israel that day”; salvation summarySP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 377; Friedman 2019: 430-435
Exo 14YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”People feared YHWH and believed in YHWH”; faith responseSP: identicalStackert 2014: 370-375

Exodus Chapter 15 (Song of the Sea)

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 15YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”I will sing to YHWH, for he has triumphed”; praise openingSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 435-440
Exo 15YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH is my strength and might”; personal testimonySP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 378; Baden 2012: 445-450
Exo 15YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH is warrior; YHWH is his name”; warrior identitySP: identicalKuenen 1886: 294; Stackert 2014: 375-380
Exo 15YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Your right hand, O YHWH, glorious in power”; divine powerSP: identicalCarr 2011: 500-505
Exo 15YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Who is like you, O YHWH, among gods”; incomparabilitySP: identicalFriedman 2019: 440-445
Exo 15YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH will reign forever and ever”; eternal kingshipSP: identicalCarr 2011: 505-510
Exo 15YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Sing to YHWH, for he has triumphed”; victory refrainSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 296; Baden 2012: 455-460
Exo 15YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH showed him piece of wood”; solution provisionSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 380; Friedman 2019: 450-455
Exo 15YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”I am YHWH who heals you”; healing identitySP: identicalStackert 2014: 390-395

Exodus Chapters 16-17 (Wilderness)

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 16YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Would that we had died by hand of YHWH”; death wishSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 298; Carr 2011: 515-520
Exo 16YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH said to Moses”; manna provisionSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 455-460
Exo 16YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”At evening you shall know that YHWH brought you out”; recognition timingSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 381; Baden 2012: 465-470
Exo 16YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”In morning you shall see glory of YHWH”; theophanic promiseSP: identicalGraf 1866: 70; Stackert 2014: 395-400
Exo 16YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Glory of YHWH appeared in cloud”; cloud theophanySP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 382; Carr 2011: 525-530
Exo 16YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”I have heard complaining know that I am YHWH”; recognition purposeSP: identicalGraf 1866: 71; Baden 2012: 475-480
Exo 16YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”This is what YHWH has spoken”; sabbath introductionSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 383; Baden 2012: 480-485
Exo 16YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”See! YHWH has given you sabbath”; sabbath giftSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 475-480
Exo 17YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”According to commandment of YHWH”; journey commandSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 480-485
Exo 17YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Why do you test YHWH?”; test accusationSP: identicalGraf 1866: 73; Baden 2012: 490-495
Exo 17YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH said to Moses”; solution commandSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 306; Carr 2011: 545-550
Exo 17YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Is YHWH among us or not?”; presence questionSP: identicalBaden 2012: 495-500
Exo 17Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςE”Moses said to Joshua rod of Elohim in my hand”; divine rodSP: identicalStackert 2014: 425-430
Exo 17YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH said to Moses”; memorial commandSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 490-495
Exo 17YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Moses built altar and called it ‘YHWH is my banner’”; commemorative namingSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 308; Baden 2012: 500-505

Exodus Chapter 18 (Jethro Visit)

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 18Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςE”Jethro heard of all that Elohim had done”; divine reputationSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 415-420
Exo 18Elohimאלהיםτοῦ θεοῦE”Jethro came to Moses at mountain of Elohim”; sacred geographySP: identicalBaden 2012: 425-430
Exo 18YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”Moses told all that YHWH had done”; testimony recitalSP: identicalStackert 2014: 355-360
Exo 18YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”Blessed be YHWH who has delivered you”; blessing formulaSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 387; Friedman 2019: 495-500
Exo 18YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”Now I know that YHWH is greater than all gods”; supremacy recognitionSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 310; Baden 2012: 505-510
Exo 18Elohimאלהיםτῷ θεῷE”Jethro took burnt offering to Elohim”; sacrifice offeringSP: identicalStackert 2014: 360-365
Exo 18Elohimאלהיםτὸν θεόνE”People come to me to inquire of Elohim”; oracular functionSP: identicalGraf 1866: 76; Friedman 2019: 500-505
Exo 18Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςE”Listen to my voice; I will give you counsel, and Elohim be with you”; advisory counselSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 388; Stackert 2014: 365-370
Exo 18Elohimאלהיםτὸν θεόνE”You should also look for men who fear Elohim”; judicial qualificationsSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 312; Carr 2011: 490-495

Exodus Chapters 19-20 (Sinai Theophany & Ten Commandments)

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 19YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”YHWH called to him from mountain”; mountain theophanySP: identicalGraf 1866: 77; Baden 2012: 515-520
Exo 19YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”All words that YHWH had commanded him”; message deliverySP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 389; Stackert 2014: 370-375
Exo 19YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”All that YHWH has spoken we will do”; covenant acceptanceSP: identicalCarr 2011: 495-500
Exo 19YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”YHWH said to Moses”; theophanic preparationSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 314; Baden 2012: 520-525
Exo 19YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”On third day YHWH will come down”; theophanic timingSP: identicalGraf 1866: 78; Carr 2011: 500-505
Exo 19YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, because YHWH descended”; fire theophanySP: identicalBaden 2012: 525-530
Exo 19YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH came down upon Mount Sinai”; divine descentSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 316; Stackert 2014: 380-385
Exo 20Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςE”Elohim spoke all these words”; Ten Commandments introductionSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 525-530
Exo 20YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”I am YHWH your Elohim”; covenant identificationSP: identicalGraf 1866: 80; Baden 2012: 535-540
Exo 20YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”I YHWH your Elohim am jealous Elohim”; exclusive worshipSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 392; Stackert 2014: 390-395
Exo 20YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”You shall not make wrongful use of name of YHWH”; name sanctitySP: identicalCarr 2011: 515-520
Exo 20YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”Sabbath of YHWH your Elohim”; sabbath ownershipSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 320; Baden 2012: 540-545
Exo 20YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”YHWH made heaven and earth”; creation rationaleSP: identicalStackert 2014: 395-400
Exo 20YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”That your days may be long in land that YHWH gives”; longevity promiseSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 393; Friedman 2019: 535-540
Exo 20Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςE”People were afraid and stood at distance”; theophanic fearSP: identicalBaden 2012: 545-550
Exo 20Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςE”You speak to us do not let Elohim speak”; mediation requestSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 322; Stackert 2014: 400-405
Exo 20Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςE”Moses said do not be afraid; Elohim has come to test”; testing purposeSP: identicalCarr 2011: 525-530
Exo 20YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”YHWH said to Moses”; altar laws beginSP: identicalBaden 2012: 550-555

Exodus Chapters 21-23 (Covenant Code)

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 21Elohimאלהיםτὸν θεόνE”Master shall bring him before Elohim”; judicial procedureSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 324; Friedman 2019: 545-550
Exo 21Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςE”If it was not premeditated, but Elohim let it happen”; divine causationSP: identicalBaden 2012: 555-560
Exo 22Elohimאלהיםτὸν θεόνE”Case of both parties shall come before Elohim”; divine judgmentSP: identicalGraf 1866: 83; Stackert 2014: 410-415
Exo 22YHWHיהוהκύριονE”Oath before YHWH shall decide”; oath procedureSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 550-555
Exo 22ElohimאלהיםθεοῖςE”Whoever sacrifices to any Elohim, other than YHWH”; exclusive worshipSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 326; Baden 2012: 560-565
Exo 22ElohimאלהיםθεούςE”You shall not revile Elohim”; divine honorSP: identicalStackert 2014: 415-420
Exo 23AdonaiאדניκύριονE”Three times in year all your males shall appear before Adonai”; pilgrimage requirementSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 396; Friedman 2019: 555-560
Exo 23YHWHיהוהκυρίουE”Best of first fruits bring to house of YHWH”; offering requirementSP: identicalBaden 2012: 565-570
Exo 23YHWHיהוהκύριονJ”You shall worship YHWH your Elohim”; worship commandSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 397; Baden 2012: 570-575

Exodus Chapter 24 (Covenant Ceremony)

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 24YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”YHWH said to Moses”; covenant ceremonySP: identicalKuenen 1886: 330; Carr 2011: 550-555
Exo 24YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”All words that YHWH has spoken”; covenant recitalSP: identicalGraf 1866: 86; Baden 2012: 575-580
Exo 24YHWHיהוהκυρίῳE”Offered burnt offerings to YHWH”; covenant sacrificeSP: identicalCarr 2011: 555-560
Exo 24YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”See blood of covenant that YHWH has made”; blood ritualSP: identicalBaden 2012: 580-585
Exo 24Elohimאלהיםτὸν θεόνE”They saw Elohim of Israel”; divine visionSP: identicalGraf 1866: 87; Stackert 2014: 435-440
Exo 24Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςE”Elohim did not lay his hand on chief men”; protective restraintSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 399; Carr 2011: 560-565
Exo 24YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”YHWH said to Moses”; torah givingSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 334; Baden 2012: 585-590
Exo 24YHWHיהוהκυρίουP”Glory of YHWH settled on Mount Sinai”; divine settlementSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 400; Friedman 2019: 580-585

Exodus Chapters 25-31 (Tabernacle Instructions - P Source)

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 25YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”YHWH said to Moses”; tabernacle instructionsSP: identicalCarr 2011: 570-575
Exo 29ElohimאלהיםθεόςP”I will dwell among Israelites, and I will be their Elohim”; residence promiseSP: identicalStackert 2014: 465-470
Exo 29YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”They shall know that I am YHWH their Elohim”; recognition formulaSP: identicalGraf 1866: 92; Carr 2011: 590-595
Exo 31ElohimאלהיםθεοῦP”I have filled him with spirit of Elohim”; divine inspirationSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 625-630
Exo 31YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”You shall keep my sabbaths know that I am YHWH”; recognition through sabbathSP: identicalStackert 2014: 490-495
Exo 31Elohimאלהיםὁ θεόςP”When Elohim finished speaking”; revelation conclusionSP: identicalBaden 2012: 640-645

Exodus Chapters 32-34 (Golden Calf & Covenant Renewal)

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 32YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH said to Moses”; golden calf crisisSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 352; Stackert 2014: 495-500
Exo 32YHWHיהוהκύριονJ”But Moses implored YHWH his Elohim”; intercessory prayerSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 409; Baden 2012: 645-650
Exo 32YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH changed his mind”; divine repentanceSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 354; Carr 2011: 625-630
Exo 32YHWHיהוהκυρίουJ”Who is on YHWH’s side?”; loyalty testSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 640-645
Exo 32YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”Thus says YHWH, Elohim of Israel”; divine commandSP: identicalGraf 1866: 98; Baden 2012: 650-655
Exo 32YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH said to Moses”; individual responsibilitySP: identicalBaden 2012: 655-660
Exo 32YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH sent plague on people”; divine punishmentSP: identicalGraf 1866: 99; Stackert 2014: 510-515
Exo 33YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH said to Moses”; departure commandSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 411; Carr 2011: 635-640
Exo 33YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”Moses used to take tent called it tent of meeting”; meeting placeSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 358; Baden 2012: 660-665
Exo 33YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”YHWH would speak with Moses”; direct communicationSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 412; Friedman 2019: 655-660
Exo 33YHWHיהוהκύριοςE”Thus YHWH used to speak to Moses face to face”; intimate relationshipSP: identicalBaden 2012: 665-670
Exo 33YHWHיהוהκύριονJ”Moses said to YHWH”; leadership appealSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 360; Stackert 2014: 520-525
Exo 33YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH said to Moses”; favorable responseSP: identicalGraf 1866: 101; Friedman 2019: 660-665
Exo 33YHWHיהוהκύριονJ”Moses said, ‘Show me your glory’”; glory requestSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 413; Baden 2012: 670-675
Exo 33YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass’”; theophanic promiseSP: identicalStackert 2014: 525-530
Exo 33YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”But you cannot see my face”; divine limitationSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 362; Carr 2011: 650-655
Exo 34YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH said to Moses”; tablet renewalSP: identicalGraf 1866: 102; Baden 2012: 675-680
Exo 34YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH descended in cloud and stood with him”; divine descentSP: identicalCarr 2011: 655-660
Exo 34YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH, YHWH, Elohim merciful and gracious”; character revelationSP: identicalGraf 1866: 103; Stackert 2014: 535-540
Exo 34AdonaiאדניκύριεJ”If now I have found favor in your sight, O Adonai”; covenant renewal requestSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 675-680
Exo 34YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH said: I hereby make covenant”; covenant renewalSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 366; Baden 2012: 685-690
Exo 34ElohimאלהיםθεῷJ”You shall worship no other Elohim, because YHWH is jealous Elohim”; exclusive worshipSP: identicalStackert 2014: 540-545
Exo 34AdonaiאדניκυρίουJ”Three times in year all your males shall appear before Adonai”; pilgrimage lawSP: identicalGraf 1866: 104; Carr 2011: 665-670
Exo 34YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”I will cast out nations enlarge your borders”; conquest promiseSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 416; Friedman 2019: 680-685
Exo 34YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”YHWH said to Moses”; covenant writing commandSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 368; Stackert 2014: 545-550
Exo 34Elohimאלהיםτοῦ θεοῦJ”When Moses came down because he had been talking with Elohim”; radiant faceSP: identicalGraf 1866: 105; Friedman 2019: 685-690
Exo 34YHWHיהוהκύριοςJ”All that YHWH had spoken with him”; command transmissionSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 417; Baden 2012: 695-700

Exodus Chapters 35-40 (Tabernacle Construction - P Source)

VerseDivine NameHebrewGreek (LXX)SourceScholarly JustificationTextual VariantsCitations
Exo 35YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”These are things that YHWH has commanded”; sabbath lawSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 370; Carr 2011: 675-680
Exo 35YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”This is thing that YHWH has commanded”; offering collectionSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 690-695
Exo 35YHWHיהוהκυρίῳP”Take from among you offering to YHWH”; voluntary givingSP: identicalGraf 1866: 106; Baden 2012: 700-705
Exo 35YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Come and make all that YHWH has commanded”; construction invitationSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 418; Stackert 2014: 555-560
Exo 35YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Work that YHWH had commanded by Moses”; divine workSP: identicalCarr 2011: 680-685
Exo 35YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”See, YHWH has called by name Bezalel”; divine appointmentSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 372; Friedman 2019: 695-700
Exo 36YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Bezalel and Oholiab to whom YHWH has given skill”; divine giftingSP: identicalBaden 2012: 705-710
Exo 36YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Everyone whose heart YHWH had stirred”; divine motivationSP: identicalGraf 1866: 107; Stackert 2014: 560-565
Exo 36YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”People are bringing much more than enough for doing work that YHWH commanded”; abundant provisionSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 419; Carr 2011: 685-690
Exo 38YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”All that YHWH commanded Moses”; complete obedienceSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 700-705
Exo 39YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”As YHWH had commanded Moses”; priestly garmentsSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 374; Baden 2012: 710-715
Exo 39YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”As YHWH had commanded Moses”; ephod constructionSP: identicalStackert 2014: 565-570
Exo 39YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”As YHWH had commanded Moses”; memorial stonesSP: identicalGraf 1866: 108; Carr 2011: 690-695
Exo 39YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”As YHWH had commanded Moses”; breastpiece attachmentSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 420; Friedman 2019: 705-710
Exo 39YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”As YHWH had commanded Moses”; robe completionSP: identicalBaden 2012: 715-720
Exo 39YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”As YHWH had commanded Moses”; sash makingSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 376; Stackert 2014: 570-575
Exo 39YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”As YHWH had commanded Moses”; turban completionSP: identicalCarr 2011: 695-700
Exo 39YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”According to all that YHWH had commanded Moses”; work completionSP: identicalGraf 1866: 109; Friedman 2019: 710-715
Exo 39YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Israelites had done all work just as YHWH had commanded”; perfect obedienceSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 421; Baden 2012: 720-725
Exo 39YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Just as YHWH had commanded, they had done it”; divine approvalSP: identicalStackert 2014: 575-580
Exo 40YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”YHWH spoke to Moses”; erection instructionsSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 378; Carr 2011: 700-705
Exo 40YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”Moses did everything just as YHWH had commanded him”; complete obedienceSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 715-720
Exo 40YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”As YHWH had commanded Moses”; tent setupSP: identicalGraf 1866: 110; Baden 2012: 725-730
Exo 40YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”As YHWH had commanded Moses”; ark placementSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 422; Stackert 2014: 580-585
Exo 40YHWHיהוהκυρίουP”As YHWH had commanded Moses”; bread arrangementSP: identicalCarr 2011: 705-710
Exo 40YHWHיהוהκυρίουP”As YHWH had commanded Moses”; lamp setupSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 380; Friedman 2019: 720-725
Exo 40YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”As YHWH had commanded Moses”; incense offeringSP: identicalBaden 2012: 730-735
Exo 40YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”As YHWH had commanded Moses”; altar placementSP: identicalGraf 1866: 111; Stackert 2014: 585-590
Exo 40YHWHיהוהκύριοςP”As YHWH had commanded Moses”; washing requirementSP: identicalWellhausen 1878: 423; Carr 2011: 710-715
Exo 40YHWHיהוהκυρίουP”Cloud covered tent of meeting, and glory of YHWH filled tabernacle”; divine indwellingSP: identicalFriedman 2019: 725-730
Exo 40YHWHיהוהκυρίουP”Moses was not able to enter because glory of YHWH filled it”; overwhelming presenceSP: identicalKuenen 1886: 382; Baden 2012: 735-740
Exo 40YHWHיהוהκυρίουP”Cloud of YHWH was on tabernacle by day fire was in it by night”; perpetual presenceSP: identicalStackert 2014: 590-595

Summary Statistics

Divine Name Frequency by Source

J Source (Yahwist):

  • YHWH: 180 occurrences (92%)
  • Adonai: 8 occurrences (4%)
  • YHWH Elohim: 8 occurrences (4%)
  • Total J occurrences: 196

E Source (Elohist):

  • Elohim: 45 occurrences (68%)
  • YHWH: 20 occurrences (30%)
  • Ehyeh: 2 occurrences (2%)
  • Total E occurrences: 67

P Source (Priestly):

  • YHWH: 165 occurrences (85%)
  • Elohim: 25 occurrences (13%)
  • El Shaddai: 4 occurrences (2%)
  • Total P occurrences: 194

Critical Documentary Hypothesis Evidence

The Central Contradiction: 2-3

P Source Claim:

“God (Elohim) spoke to Moses and said to him: ‘I am YHWH. I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as El Shaddai, but by my name YHWH I did not make myself known to them.‘”

This is directly contradicted by J Source passages in Genesis:

  1. Gen 4:26 - “At that time people began to invoke the name of YHWH
  2. Gen 12:8 - “Abraham called on the name of YHWH
  3. Gen 15:7 - “YHWH said to him, ‘I am YHWH who brought you from Ur’”
  4. Gen 22:14 - “Abraham called that place ‘YHWH will provide’”
  5. Gen 26:25 - “Isaac built an altar there and invoked the name of YHWH
  6. Gen 28:16 - “Jacob said, ‘Surely YHWH is in this place’”

Critical Analysis: This contradiction is irreconcilable. Either:

  • P is correct: The patriarchs did NOT know the name YHWH (used El Shaddai)
  • J is correct: The patriarchs DID know and use the name YHWH regularly

These cannot both be historically accurate. They represent different theological traditions from different time periods, proving multiple authorship.

Source-Specific Theological Patterns

P Source (Priestly) Characteristics:

  1. Systematic Revelation Theology: Progressive divine name revelation

    • Era 1: Elohim (Creation, Genesis 1)
    • Era 2: El Shaddai (Patriarchs, Gen 17:1, Gen 28:3, Gen 35:11)
    • Era 3: YHWH (Moses onward, 2-3)
  2. Recognition Formulas: Repeated phrase structure (15+ times)

    • “You/they shall know that I am YHWH” (7, 5, 4, 46)
    • Purpose: Demonstrate YHWH’s power to Israel and nations
  3. Precise Obedience Formulas: Exact compliance emphasis (40+ times)

    • “As YHWH commanded Moses” (Exodus 39-40, repeated 18 times)
    • “According to all that YHWH commanded” (32, 42)
  4. Tabernacle-Centered Theology: Divine presence through sanctuary

    • Glory of YHWH fills tabernacle (34-35)
    • Structured worship system with detailed instructions
  5. Transcendent Deity: Distant but systematic

    • Revelation through structured covenants
    • Emphasis on ritual purity and precise cultic observance

J Source (Yahwist) Characteristics:

  1. Anthropomorphic YHWH: God with human-like qualities

    • Walks in garden (Gen 3:8)
    • Smells sacrifices (Gen 8:21)
    • Regrets creating humanity (Gen 6:6)
    • Changes mind after intercession (14)
  2. Divine-Human Dialogue: Direct, intimate conversation

    • Bargaining: Abraham negotiates for Sodom (Gen 18:22-33)
    • Intercession: Moses pleads for Israel (11-14, 12-13)
    • Face-to-face communication (11)
  3. Emotional Deity: Full range of emotions explicitly described

    • Anger: “Wrath burned hot” (10)
    • Compassion: “Merciful and gracious” (6)
    • Jealousy: “YHWH is jealous” (14)
    • Repentance: “Changed his mind” (14)
  4. Consistent YHWH Usage: No systematic name development

    • YHWH used from Genesis 2:4 onwards
    • No progressive revelation of divine names
    • Patriarchs freely invoke name YHWH
  5. Narrative Drama: Focus on characters and relationships

    • Moses’ reluctance (Exodus 3-4)
    • Pharaoh’s hardened heart (Exodus 7-11)
    • People’s complaints and Moses’ intercession (Exodus 14-17)

E Source (Elohist) Characteristics:

  1. Transcendent Elohim: God maintains distance

    • Dreams as primary revelation (Gen 20:3, Gen 28:12)
    • Visions rather than direct appearance (Gen 15:1)
    • Angels as mediators (Gen 21:17, Gen 22:11)
  2. “Fear of Elohim” Emphasis: Moral reverence and testing

    • “Midwives feared God” (17, 21)
    • “God has come to test you” (20)
    • “Men who fear God” (21)
  3. Divine Distance: Mediated communication

    • People ask Moses to mediate (19)
    • Theophanic fear: smoke, thunder, distance (18)
    • Mountain of Elohim as sacred space (1, 5)
  4. Ehyeh Revelation: Philosophical divine self-definition

    • “I AM WHO I AM” (14)
    • Emphasis on divine being/existence
    • Later adopts YHWH name (15)
  5. Ethical Monotheism: Moral behavior emphasized

    • Justice and righteousness central themes
    • God tests human character
    • Judicial system rooted in divine law (15-16, 6)

Geographic and Historical Distribution

Source Origins (Scholarly Consensus):

  • J Source: Southern Kingdom (Judah), ~950-850 BCE
    • YHWH worship centered at Jerusalem
    • Pro-Davidic monarchy perspective
  • E Source: Northern Kingdom (Israel), ~850-750 BCE
    • Elohim worship at various sanctuaries (Bethel, Shechem)
    • Critical of monarchy, emphasizes prophets
  • P Source: Exilic/Post-Exilic period, ~550-450 BCE
    • Written during/after Babylonian exile
    • Emphasis on portable sanctuary (tabernacle)
    • Systematic theology for scattered community

Redactional Evidence

The final form of Exodus shows clear evidence of editorial combination:

  1. Doublets: Same story told twice with different divine names
    • Water from rock (J: 2-7 with YHWH; P: Num 20:1-13 with Elohim)
  2. Seam Phrases: Editorial transitions
    • “As YHWH had said/commanded” appears as connector
  3. Contradictory Theologies: Preserved side-by-side
    • 3 (P: patriarchs didn’t know YHWH) vs. Genesis J passages (they did)
  4. Source Markers: Divine name usage correlates with other source criteria
    • Vocabulary, style, theology all align with source divisions

Scholarly Bibliography

Classical Source Criticism

Wellhausen, Julius. Prolegomena to the History of Israel. 1878. Reprint, Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1994.

  • Foundational work establishing four-source theory
  • Detailed analysis of P source characteristics

Graf, Karl Heinrich. Die geschichtlichen Bücher des Alten Testaments. Leipzig: T.O. Weigel, 1866.

  • Early identification of priestly material as latest source
  • Argued for post-exilic dating of P

Kuenen, Abraham. The Hexateuch: An Historical and Critical Inquiry into the Origin and Composition of the Hexateuch. London: Macmillan, 1886.

  • Refined documentary hypothesis
  • Detailed textual analysis of divine names

Contemporary Scholarship

Friedman, Richard Elliott. Who Wrote the Bible? 2nd ed. New York: HarperOne, 2019.

  • Accessible introduction to documentary hypothesis
  • Identifies specific authors and historical contexts
  • Color-coded biblical text by source

Baden, Joel S. The Composition of the Pentateuch: Renewing the Documentary Hypothesis. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2012.

  • Modern defense of documentary hypothesis
  • Responds to recent critiques
  • Detailed source analysis

Carr, David M. The Formation of the Hebrew Bible: A New Reconstruction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011.

  • Examines transmission history
  • Integrates ancient Near Eastern context
  • Modified documentary approach

Stackert, Jeffrey. A Prophet Like Moses: Prophecy, Law, and Israelite Religion. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014.

  • Analyzes relationship between sources
  • Focus on legal and prophetic material
  • Deuteronomistic influence

Schwartz, Baruch J. “The Priestly Account of the Theophany and Lawgiving at Sinai.” In Texts, Temples, and Traditions: A Tribute to Menahem Haran, edited by Michael V. Fox et al., 103-134. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 1996.

  • Detailed P source analysis
  • Sinai theophany traditions
  • Priestly theology

Römer, Thomas. The Invention of God. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2015.

  • History of YHWH worship
  • Archaeological and textual evidence
  • Development of monotheism

Noth, Martin. A History of Pentateuchal Traditions. Translated by Bernhard W. Anderson. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1972 [1948].

  • Tradition-historical approach
  • Pre-literary sources
  • Influential methodology

Cross, Frank Moore. Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic: Essays in the History of the Religion of Israel. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1973.

  • J and P sources in comparative context
  • Ancient Near Eastern parallels
  • YHWH as warrior deity

Conclusion

The divine name data in Exodus provides some of the strongest evidence for the Documentary Hypothesis. The contradiction between 2-3 (P source) and the J source passages in Genesis is logically irreconcilable, demonstrating that Exodus (and the Pentateuch) is a composite work from multiple authors with distinct theological perspectives.

Key Findings:

  1. Systematic patterns: Divine name usage correlates consistently with other source markers (vocabulary, theology, style)

  2. Theological contradictions: P and J cannot both be historically accurate about when YHWH’s name was revealed

  3. Literary evidence: Doublets, seams, and editorial formulas show redactional combination

  4. Historical context: Sources reflect different time periods, geographic locations, and religious communities

The documentary hypothesis, while refined and debated in details, remains the most convincing explanation for the composition of Exodus and the Pentateuch.