This paper focuses on the narrative gaps in P and the challenge they pose to the concept of P as a continuous source. Adopting the ‘scroll approach’, it considers the material aspects of the transmission of the hypothetical P source. The paper suggests that, similar to other ancient literary scrolls, P was transmitted as a collection of sub-scrolls prior to the Hellenistic period. The main argument is that the narrative gaps may have arisen due to damage to the sub-scrolls containing the relevant textual sections, thereby explaining the inconsistency in the completeness of P across textual sections and the specific positions of the gaps in P.
BadenJS (2012a) The Composition of the Pentateuch: Renewing the Documentary Hypothesis. Anchor Yale Bible Reference Library. New Haven: Yale University Press.
3.
BadenJS (2012b) The Original Place of the Priestly Manna Story in Exodus 16. Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft122: 491–504.
4.
BernerC (2022) The Literary Character of the Priestly Portions of the Exodus Narrative. In Farewell to the Priestly Writings? The Current State of Debate, edited by HartensteinFriedhelmSchmidKonrad. Ancient Israel and Its Literature 38. Atlanta: SBL, pp. 95–134.
5.
BlenkinsoppJ (1976) The Structure of P. Catholic Biblical Quarterly38: 275–91.
6.
BlenkinsoppJ (1992) The Pentateuch: An Introduction to the First Five Books of the Bible. Anchor Bible Reference Library. Garden City, NY: Doubleday.
7.
BlumE (1990) Studien zur Komposition des Pentateuch. Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 189. Berlin: de Gruyter.
8.
BlumE (2012) The Jacob Tradition. In The Book of Genesis: Composition, Reception, and Interpretation, edited by EvansCraig A.et al. Supplements to Vetus Testamentum 152 Leiden: Brill.
9.
BlumE (2015) “Noch einmal: Das literargeschichtliche Profil der P-Überlieferung.” In Abschied von der Priesterschrift? Zum Stand der Pentateuchdebatte, edited by HartensteinFriedhelmSchmidKonrad. Leipzig: Evangelische Verlagsanstalt, pp. 32–64.
10.
BogaertPM (1996) L’importance de la Septante et du ‘Monacensis’ de la Vetus Latina pour l’exégèse du livre de l’Exode (chap. 35–40). In Studies in the Book of Exodus: Redaction–Reception–Interpretation, edited by VervenneMarc. Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium 126. Leuven: Leuven University Press, pp. 399–428.
11.
BogaertPM (2005) La construction de la tent (Ex 36–40) dans le Monacensis de la plus ancienne version latine: l’autel d’or et Hébreux 9,4. In L’enfance de la Bible hébraïque: L’historie du texte de l’Ancien Testament à la lumière des recherches récentes, edited by SchenkerAdrianHugoPhilippe. Geneva: Labor et Fides, pp. 570–571.
12.
CarrDM (1996) Reading the Fractures of Genesis: Historical and Literary Approaches. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, pp. 327–347.
13.
CarrDM (1998) Βίβλος γενέσεως: A Synchronic Analysis of Pattern in Genesis as Part of the Torah. Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft110: 159–72.
14.
CarrDM (2011) The Formation of the Hebrew Bible: A New Reconstruction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
15.
CarrDM (2020a) The Formation of Genesis 1–11: Biblical and Other Precursors. New York: Oxford University Press.
16.
CarrDM (2020b) Rethinking the Materiality of Biblical Texts: From Source, Tradition and Redaction to Scroll Approach. Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft132: 594–621.
17.
CarrDM (2024) Background and Aims of a Scroll Approach to the Formation of the Hebrew Bible. In From Sources to Scrolls and Beyond: Essays on the Study of the Pentateuch. Forschungen zur Alten Testament 177. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, pp. 7–79.
18.
CrossFM (1973) Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic: Essays on the History of the Religion of Israel. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
19.
DayfaniH (2023) Material Reconstruction of 4Q22 in Aid of Literary Criticism of the Book of Exodus. Advances in Ancient Biblical and Near Eastern Research3 (2023): 81–107.
20.
DershowitzI (2021) The Dismembered Bible: Cutting and Pasting Scripture in Antiquity. Forschungen zur Alten Testament 143. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck.
21.
DillmannA (1897) Genesis: Critically and Exegetically Expounded, translated by StevensonWilliam B. 2 vols. Edinburgh: T&T Clark.
22.
EerdmansDB (1908) Alttestamentliche Studien 1. Die Komposition der Genesis. Giessen: Töpelmann.
23.
ElligerK (1952) Sinn und ursprung der priesterlichen Geschichtserzählung. Zeitschrift für Theologie und Kirche49: 121–43.
24.
EmertonJA (1988) The Priestly Writer in Genesis. Journal of Theological Studies39: 381–400.
25.
EyreC (2013). The Use of Documents in Pharaonic Egypt. Oxford Studies in Ancient Documents. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
26.
FeldmanLM (2023) The Consuming Fire: The Complete Priestly Source, from Creation to the Promised Land. Oakland: University of California Press.
27.
FreidenreichA (2024) Mutual Influence in Priestly and Non-Priestly Pentateuchal Narratives. Forschungen zur Alten Testament 153. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck.
28.
GayerACarrDM (2024) Text Density, Scroll Carrying Capacity and Pre-Biblical Sources: How a Hellenistic Period Shift in Text Density is Relevant to Hypotheses about the Formation of the (Hebrew) Bible. Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft136: 32–58.
29.
GertzJC (2000) Tradition und Redaktion in der Exoduserzählung: Untersuchungen zur Endredaktion des Pentateuch. FRLANT 186. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.
30.
GertzJC (2012) The Formation of the Primeval History. In The Book of Genesis: Composition, Reception, and Interpretation, edited by EvansCraig A.LohrJoel N.PetersenDavid L.Leiden: Brill, pp. 105–135.
31.
GertzJC (2014) The Miracle at the Sea: Remarks on the Recent Discussion about Origin and Composition of the Exodus Narrative. In The Book of Exodus: Composition, Reception, and Interpretation, edited by DozemanThomas B.EvansCraig A.LohrJoel N. Supplements to Vetus Testamentum 164. Leiden: Brill, pp. 91–120.
32.
GrandetP (1994) Le Papyrus Harris I (BM 9999). 3 vols. Cairo: IFAO.
33.
GraupnerA (2002) Der Elohist: Gegenwart und Wirksamkeit des transzendenten Gottes in der Geschichte. Wissenschaftliche Monographien zum Alten und Neuen Testaments 97. Neukirchen-Vluyn: Neukirchener Verlag.
34.
GunkelH (1997) Genesis. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press.
35.
HaranM (1982) Book Scrolls in Israel in Pre-Exilic Times. Journal for the Study of Judaism in the Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman Periods33: 161–73.
36.
HaranM (1983) Book Scrolls at the Beginning of the Second Temple Period: The Transition from Papyrus to Skins. Hebrew Union College Annual54: 111–22.
37.
HaranM (1984) The Size of Book Scrolls in the Bible and the Division of the Pentateuch and the Deuteronomistic Work. Tarbiz53: 329–52 (Hebrew).
38.
HaranM (1985) Book-Size and the Device of Catch-Lines in the Biblical Canon. Journal of Jewish Studies36: 1–11.
39.
HaranM (1986) Torah and Bible Scrolls in the First Centuries of the Christian Era. Shnaton10: 93–106 (Hebrew).
40.
HolzingerH (1893) Einleitung in der Hexateuch. Freiburg Im Breisgau: Mohr.
41.
HolzingerH (1898) Genesis. Kurzer Hand-Commentar zum Alten Testament 1. Freiburg Im Breisgau: Mohr.
42.
HutzliJ (2023) The Origins of P: Literary Profiles and Strata of the Priestly Texts in Genesis 1 – Exodus 40. Forschungen zum Alten Testament 164. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck.
43.
JensonPP (1992) Graded Holiness. A Key to the Priestly Conception of the World. Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement Series 106. Sheffield: JSOT Press.
44.
JohnsonWA (2004) Bookrolls and Scribes in Oxyrhynchus. Toronto: Toronto University Press.
45.
KenyonFG (1941) Book Divisions in Greek and Latin Literature. In William Warner Bishop: A Tribute, edited by MillerHarryKeoghAndrew. New Haven: Yale University Press.
46.
KenyonFG (1951) Books and Readers in Ancient Greece and Rome. Oxford: Clarendon.
47.
KnierimRP (1985) The Composition of the Pentateuch. In Society of Biblical Literature 1985 Seminar Papers, edited by RichardsKent Harold. Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers. Atlanta: SBL, pp. 63–76.
KratzRG (2005) The Composition of the Narrative Books of the Old Testament, translated by BowdenJohn. London: T&T Clark.
50.
LevinC (1993) Der Jahwist. Forschungen zur Religion und Literatur des Alten und Neuen Testaments 157. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.
51.
LevinC (2022) The Priestly Writing as a Source: A Recollection. In Farewell to the Priestly Writing? The Current State of Debate, edited by HartensteinFriedhelmSchmidKonrad. Ancient Israel and Its Literature 38. Atlanta: SBL.
52.
LohfinkN (1978) Die Priesterschrift und die Geschichte. In Congress Volume Göttingen 1977. Supplements to Vetus Testamentum 29. Leiden: Brill.
53.
LongacreD (2021) Comparative Hellenistic and Roman Manuscript Studies (CHRoMS): Script Interactions and Hebrew/Aramaic Writing Culture. Comparative Oriental Manuscript Studies Bulletin7: 38–80.
54.
LongacreD (forthcoming) Size Does Matter: Manuscript Format and Literary Criticism in the Persian and Hellenistic Periods.
55.
LundhaugHIngeborg LiedL (2017) Studying Snapshots: On Manuscript Culture, Textual Fluidity, and New Philology. In Snapshots of Evolving Traditions: Jewish and Christian Manuscript Culture, Textual Fluidity, and New Philology, edited by Ingeborg LiedLivLundhaugHugo. Texte und Untersuchungen 175. Berlin: de Gruyter, pp. 1–19.
56.
MannTW (1988) The Book of the Torah: The Narrative Integrity of the Pentateuch. Louisville: Westminster John Knox.
57.
MastnjakN (2023) Before the Scrolls: A Material Approach to Israel’s Prophetic Library. New York: Oxford University Press.
58.
MilsteinSJ (2016) Tracking the Master Scribe: Revision through Introduction in Biblical and Mesopotamian Literature. New York: Oxford University Press.
59.
MitchellC (2017) Berlin Papyrus P. 13447 and the Library of the Yehudite Colony at Elephantine. Journal of Near Eastern Studies76: 139–47.
60.
MooreJD (2017) ‘I Am Unable to Do My Job’: Literary Depictions of the Scribal Profession in the Story of Ahiqar and Jeremiah 36. PhD diss., Brandeis University.
61.
NaehS (1997) The Structure and Division of ‘Torat Kohanim’ (A): Scrolls. Tarbiz66: 483–515 (Hebrew).
62.
NicholsSG (1990) The New Philology: Introduction: Philology in a Manuscript Culture. Speculum65: 1–10.
63.
NihanC (2007) From Priestly Torah to Pentateuch: A Study in the Composition of the Book of Leviticus. Forschungen zum Alten Testament 25. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck.
64.
NihanC (2009) The Priestly Covenant, Its Reinterpretations, and the Composition of ‘P’. In The Strata of the Priestly Writings: Contemporary Debate and Future Directions, edited by ShectmanSarahBadenJoel S. Abhandlungen zur Theologie des Alten und Neeuen Testaments 95. Zurich: TVZ, pp. 87–128.
65.
NothM (1948) Überlieferungsgeschichte des Pentateuch. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer.
66.
ProppWHC (1999) Exodus 1–18. Anchor Bible 2. New York: Doubleday.
67.
de PuryA (2006) The Jacob Story and the Beginning of the Formation of the Pentateuch. In A Farewell to the Yahwist? The Composition of the Pentateuch in Recent European Interpretation, edited by DozemanThomas B.SchmidKonrad. Society of Biblical Literature Symposium Series 34. Atlanta: SBL, pp. 51–72.
68.
ReindlJ (1977) Der Finger Gottes und die Macht der Götter: Ein Problem des ägyptischen Diasporejudentums und sein literarischer Niederschlang. In Dienst der Vermittlung: Festschrift zum 25-jährigen Bestehen des Priesterseminars Erfurt, edited by ErnstWilhelmFeiereisKonrad. Erfurter theologische Studien 37. Leipzig: St. Benno, pp. 49–60.
69.
RendtorffR (1977) Das überlieferungsgeschichtliche Problem des Pentateuch. Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 147. Berlin: de Gruyter.
70.
RendtorffR (1990) The Problem of the Process of Transmission in the Pentateuch, translated by ScullionJohn J. Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement Series 89. Sheffield: JSOT Press.
71.
RömerT (2014) Der Pentateuch. In Die Entstehung des Alten Testaments, edited by DietrichWalterMathysHans-PeterRömerThomasSmendRudolf. Theologische Wissenschaft 1. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer, pp. 53–166.
72.
RömerT (2015) The Joseph Story in the Book of Genesis: Pre-P or Post-P? In The Post-Priestly Pentateuch: New Perspectives on its Redactional Development and Theological Profiles, edited by GiuntoliFedericoSchmidKonrad. Forschungen zum Alten Testament 101. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, pp. 185–201.
73.
RömerT (2022) From the Call of Moses to the Parting of the Sea: Reflections on the Priestly Version of the Exodus Narrative. In Farewell to the Priestly Writings? The Current State of Debate, edited by HartensteinFriedhelmSchmidKonrad. Ancient Israel and Its Literature 38. Atlanta: SBL, pp. 135–164.
74.
SchmidK (2006) The So-Called Yahwist and the Literary Gap Between Genesis and Exodus. In Farewell to the Yahwist? The Composition of the Pentateuch in Recent European Interpretation, edited by DozemanThomas B.SchmidKonrad. Society of Biblical Literature Symposium Series 34. Atlanta: SBL, pp. 29–50.
75.
SchmidK (2010) Genesis and the Moses Story: Israel’s Dual Origin in the Hebrew Bible. Siphrut 3. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns.
76.
SchmidK (2023) Sinai in the Priestly Document. In The Scribes of the Torah: The Formation of the Pentateuch in Its Literary and Historical Contexts. Atlanta: SBL, pp. 569–586.
77.
SchmidtL (1993) Studien zur Priesterschrift. Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 214. Berlin: de Gruyter.
78.
SchmidtL (2006) Die Priesterschrift in der Josefsgeschichte (Gen. 37; 39-50). In Auf dem Weg zur Endgestalt von Genesis bis II Regum, edited by BeckMartinSchornUlrike. Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 370. Berlin: de Gruyter, pp. 111–123.
79.
SchwartzBJ (1996) The Priestly Account of the Theophany and Lawgiving at Sinai. In Texts, Temples, and Traditions: A Tribute to Menahem Haran, edited by FoxMichael V.HurowitzVictor AvigdorHurvitzAvi M.KleinMichael L.SchwartzBaruch J.ShupakNili. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, pp. 103–134.
80.
SchwartzBJ (2010) Joseph’s Descent into Egypt: The Composition of Genesis 37. Beit Mikra1: 1–30.
81.
SkaJL (2006) Introduction to Reading the Pentateuch, translated by DominiquePascale. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns.
82.
SkeatTC (1982) The Length of the Standard Papyrus Roll and the Cost-Advantage of the Codex. Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik45: 169–75.
83.
StordalenT (1992) Genesis 2,4: Restudying alocus classicus. Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft104: 163–77.
84.
ThomasMA (2011) These Are the Generations: Identity, Covenant, and the Toledot Formula. New York: T&T Clark.
85.
Van SickleJ (1975) Abraham in History and Tradition. New Haven: Yale University Press.
86.
Van SickleJ (1980) The Book-Roll and Some Conventions of the Poetic Book. Arethusa13: 5–42.
87.
VolzP (1933) P ist kein Erzähler. In Der Elohist als Erzähler: Ein Irrweg der PentateuchKritik: An der Genesis erläutert, edited by VolzPaulRudolphWilhelm. Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 63. Giessen: Töpelmann, pp. 135–142.
88.
WassermanJ (2008) The Egyptian Book of the Dead: The Book of Going Forth by Day: The Complete Papyrus of Ani Featuring Integrated Text and Full-Color Images. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.
89.
WeimarP (1984) Struktur und Composition der priesterschriftlichen Geschichtsdarstellung. Biblische Notizen32: 81–134.
90.
WellhausenJ (1899) Dei Composition des Hexateuchs und der historischen Bücher des Alten Testaments. Berlin: Reimer.
91.
WellhausenJ (2014 [1885]) The Prolegomena to the History of Israel, translated by SutherlandJ.MenziesAllan. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
92.
WestermannC (1981) Genesis 12–36, translated by ScullionJohn J.Minneapolis: Augsburg.
93.
WöhrleJ (2012) Fremdlinge im eigenen Land: Zur Entstehung und Intention der priesterlichen Passagen der Vätergechichte. Forschungen zur Religion und Literatur des Alten und Neuen Testaments 246. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.
94.
WöhrleJ (2016) There’s No Master Key! The Literary Character of the Priestly Stratum and the Formation of the Pentateuch. In The Formation of the Pentateuch: Bridging the Academic Cultures of Europe, Israel, and North America, edited by GertzJan C.LevinsonBernard M.Rom-ShiloniDalitSchmidKonrad. Forschungen zum Alten Testament 111. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck.
95.
WöhrleJ (2021) The Priestly Writing(s): Scope and Nature. In The Oxford Handbook of the Pentateuch, edited by BadenJoel S.StackertJeffrey. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 255–275.
96.
ZimmerliW (1960) Sinaibund und Abrahambund: Ein Beitrag zum Verständnis der Priesterschrift. Theologische Zeitschrift16: 268–80.
