Behold-Nå̄, Statistics is an Effective Tool, Use It-Nå̄
In recent years a debate has erupted around the possibility of using quantitative tools to date biblical texts. Our article sets forth a new methodology for discerning statistically significant traces of diachronic layers in texts from the Hebrew Bible. This is not to suggest that an irregularity in...
Authors: | ; ; |
---|---|
Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
Oxford University Press
2022
|
In: |
Journal of Semitic studies
Year: 2022, Volume: 67, Issue: 2, Pages: 441-469 |
Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
Summary: | In recent years a debate has erupted around the possibility of using quantitative tools to date biblical texts. Our article sets forth a new methodology for discerning statistically significant traces of diachronic layers in texts from the Hebrew Bible. This is not to suggest that an irregularity in a book is sufficient to determine that it is made of more than one source. We are only making the argument on the negative: that there is no reason to explain phenomena that ‘seem interesting’ if there is no statistical model that shows a significant difference from random distribution. More generally, this study demonstrates the need for informed and careful application of recent statistical theory to the field of biblical studies. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 1477-8556 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of Semitic studies
|
Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1093/jss/fgac006 |