How did Johann Gottfried Eichhorn contribute to biblical higher criticism?

Johann Gottfried Eichhorn (1752–1827) was a foundational figure in biblical criticism, and he is credited with the first application of the term "higher criticism" to the study of the Pentateuch.1

In the context of literary criticism, Eichhorn pioneered the scientific analysis of the Bible by treating it as an object of historical and literary study rather than solely as a sacred text. His contributions include:1

• Comparative Analysis: He was among the first to apply a scientific comparison between biblical books and other Semitic writings.2
• Source Criticism: He pioneered the identification of distinct documentary and cultural sources within the Old Testament law, challenging the traditional view of Mosaic authorship.2
• New Testament Inquiry: He questioned the traditional authorship of the letters to Timothy and Titus, challenged the authenticity of the Second Letter of Peter, and proposed that the four Gospels originated from a single Aramaic text.2

His influential works, such as the Historisch-Kritische Einleitung ins Alte Testament, stimulated significant advancements in the study of biblical literature.2