The Bible's First History

This groundbreaking work reconstructs the earliest known biblical history, piecing together the original narrative of the J writer—the Yahwist—whose political imagination shaped foundational stories in Genesis and Exodus. Robert B. Coote isolates this ancient voice from the later literary strands that were woven into the first four books of the Bible, presenting the Yahwist's work as a coherent whole for the first time. The book's purpose is to let this foundational text speak for itself, free from the interpretive layers added by subsequent editors and authors. Readers are given direct access to the original meaning and political vision of one of history's most influential writers.

Coote's scholarly yet accessible approach makes this essential reading for anyone interested in biblical origins, textual criticism, and the historical development of scripture. By focusing exclusively on the Yahwist's narrative, the book reveals a powerful work of political theology that addressed the concerns of its own time rather than those of later traditions. This reconstruction challenges conventional readings of familiar stories and offers fresh insights into how ancient Israel understood its relationship with God and its place in the world. The result is a transformative reading experience that changes how we encounter these foundational texts.