What is the tablet theory of Genesis authorship, and is it biblical?

Answer

The “tablet theory” of Genesis authorship is also known as the “Wiseman hypothesis,” named after its originator, British scholar Percy Wiseman. He introduced the idea in his 1936 book New Discoveries in Babylonia about Genesis. According to the tablet theory, different parts of Genesis were initially inscribed on clay tablets by the patriarchs of Genesis like Adam, Noah, Shem, Isaac, and Jacob, although compiled by Moses. It is suggested that these ancient tablets were handed down through generations before the flood, preserved on the ark by Noah, and eventually acquired by Moses.

The tablet theory presents a conservative viewpoint in contrast to the JEDP theory. The JEDP theory proposes four distinct authors of the Pentateuch, challenging the New Testament’s affirmation that Moses authored the initial five books of the Bible (Mark 12:26;John 5:45-47;Romans 10:5). While the tablet theory upholds the Mosaic authorship of Genesis, it also suggests that Moses compiled specific documents as reference material.

According to the tablet theory, Moses referenced various tablets in Genesis using the phrase “these are the generations of.” This criterion reveals the following sections in Genesis:

1) The generations of heaven and earth “These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,” (Genesis 2:4).

2) The generations of Adam “This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;” (Genesis 5:1).

2) The descendants of Noah “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”, (Genesis 6:9).

3) The offspring of Noah’s sons “Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.”, (Genesis 10:1).

4) The lineage of Shem “These are the generations of Shem: Shem was a hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood: “, (Genesis 11:10).

5) The descendants of Terah “Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.”, (Genesis 11:27).

6) The lineage of Ishmael “Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s handmaid, bore unto Abraham: “, (Genesis 25:12).

7) The descendants of Isaac “And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham begat Isaac: “, (Genesis 25:19).

8) The lineage of Esau “Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom.”, (Genesis 36:1,9) “And these are the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in mount Seir: “, (Genesis 36:1,9).

9) The descendants of Jacob “These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.”, (Genesis 37:2).

In years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.” (Genesis 37:2).

According to the tablet theory, Adam recorded the second tablet (and possibly the first), Isaac recorded the eighth tablet (and possibly the seventh), etc. These tablets were then preserved through the centuries and eventually used by Moses as historical, eyewitness documents that he incorporated into the book of Genesis. There was no need to rely on “oral tradition.”

One problem with the tablet theory is an argument from silence. The Bible does not claim such tablets existed, nor has any archaeological evidence been found to support this view. Another problem is simply that the tablet theory is not necessary. The Holy Spirit, guiding Moses’ writing, could just as easily have used oral teaching traditions as clay tablets handed down from the patriarchs.

The words of 2 Peter 1:21 stand as a testament to the fact that all Scripture was written by humans under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: “Prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” Whether Moses used ancient clay tablets as a resource, or whether God revealed the material directly to Moses, God’s Word was accurately recorded and preserved. The inspiration of Scripture explains the enduring nature and life-changing power of the Bible.