Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 75:297 (Jan 1918)
Article: A New Solution Of The Pentateuchal Problem
Author: Melvin Grove Kyle

BSac 75:297 (Jan 1918) p. 31

A New Solution Of The Pentateuchal Problem

Melvin Grove Kyle

I have no theory to present. In the course of the collating and arranging of materials on the subject of the Pentateuchal Law for the department of Biblical Theology and Biblical Archaeology in Xenia Theological Seminary, some facts came under my notice to which I wish now to direct attention. Being primarily an archaeologist rather than a critic, my method of research was archaeological rather than critical; I pursued the simple and comprehensive method of going carefully over all the materials, noting and classifying the essential facts for use. Such a method anticipates nothing; certainly I did not anticipate the results which I am about to present; the final result, especially, was as surprising to me as it will be to others. Some of the simplest facts brought out by the investigation are, also, most surprising; I have hardly persuaded myself that they have always heretofore escaped notice by critics, but such seems to be the case. It is the old story of stumbling over diamonds, while chasing rainbows.

I wish to share the pleasure of discovery with my readers; so, to that end, will present the investigations as they were originally pursued, anticipating little or nothing, but allowing each item of interest to appear in its own place and making the comparison, which brought to me the greatest

BSac 75:297 (Jan 1918) p. 32

surprise of all, only at the last, when it will be exactly in order.

A pleasant obligation, however, requires me to anticipate just enough to say that the investigations raised many legal questions. That I might make no mistake in legal nomenclature, and especially might not make great results to proceed from a mistaken legal interpretation, I sought the counsel and advice of my genial friend Samuel Scoville, Jr., Esq., of Philadelphia. The mass of evidence which the investigations cover is appalling even to a lawyer. I am deeply grateful to Mr. Scoville for his assistance, and desire here to acknowledge my debt to his patience as well as his learning; a debt which the readers of Bibliotheca Sacra will also share, and I doubt not they will join with me in this expression of thanks.

Investigations

The original investigations, under the caption “Materials of the Law,” were pursued as follows: —

I. First Investigation.

The legal terms of the Pentateuch noted and listed from a careful study of the text of all the laws.

It would be a useless consuming of time to put down here all the results of this investigation; such exactness and completeness of detail belongs only to the schools. It will serve the purpose of this presentation of ...