Historisch-Kritische Einleitung ins Alte Testament

work by Eichhorn

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June 29, 2026

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Johann Gottfried Eichhorn's Historisch-Kritische Einleitung ins Alte Testament (1780–83) was a pioneering work in biblical scholarship. It applied historical criticism to the Old Testament, distinguishing between various documentary and cultural sources traditionally attributed to Moses. Eichhorn's approach, viewing the Bible as suitable for literary study, laid groundwork for modern biblical criticism. This method, sometimes called "higher criticism," involved analyzing texts within their historical contexts. Eichhorn also questioned the authorship of certain New Testament letters and suggested the Gospels originated from a single Aramaic text. While not entirely accurate, his work significantly stimulated research and critical analysis of biblical literature.123

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Johann Gottfried Eichhorn
His chief works included Historisch-Kritische Einleitung ins Alte Testament (3 vol., 1780–83; “Historical and Critical Introduction to the Old Testament”), and a corresponding work for the New Testament (5 vol., 1804–12). Although only partially accurate, they stimulated research and criticism in biblical literature.
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His chief works included Historisch-Kritische Einleitung ins Alte Testament (3 vol., 1780–83; “Historical and Critical Introduction to the Old Testament”), and a corresponding work for the New Testament (5 vol., 1804–12). Although only partially accurate, they stimulated research and criticism in biblical literature.
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