An algorithm developed by Israeli software company has provided new clues about the multiple authors of the Bible. It analyzes the writing style and words chosen to distinguish parts of a single text written by several authors. Applying this method to the Bible, the algorithm identified several “authorial voice.”
The program is part of a sub-branch of artificial intelligence called “literary authorship attribution” and may be useful in several areas, from assisting law institutions to develop new programs for writers. The authors of this algorithm, considered analysis of the Bible as the most tempting way to demonstrate its capabilities.
For millions of Christians and Jewish believers, the fact that God is the author of the Old Testament (also known as the Hebrew Bible) is an essential part of faith. However, studies conducted by scholars of the Bible led to the conclusion, accepted by most researchers in the field, that the Bible was written by several authors, whose contribution can be identified by different ideological intent, writing style and name it were used to describe God.
Most researchers share the biblical text in two categories. The first of these is considered to be the work of an author “priest” because of appearances that they have links with the priests of the temple in Jerusalem and the other is written, according to researchers, by an author without ecclesiastical links. Bible exegetes have studied in detail to determine which text belongs to which of these two authors.
When the algorithm developed by Israeli company was used to analyze the text of the Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible), and separate content according to the two authors, their results coincided in 90% with the conclusions drawn by researchers after years analysis.
Aspects of the text that the algorithm has not agreed with the analysis of exegetes could provide an interesting starting point for further analysis. Thus, the first chapter of Genesis was considered by scholars as the work of the author of “priests”, but the finished software as being written by another author.
Also, exegetes consider the book of Isaiah as having two authors, the second opera starting from Chapter 39. Software agreed that this book has two authors, but concluded that the second author took over from Chapter 33.
Before applying this algorithm on the Bible, the researchers wanted to conduct an objective test, demonstrating its capabilities. Thus, they have mixed parts from the book of Ezekiel and Jeremiah in one text, then applying the software on it. The algorithm was able to sort out the two separate texts “almost perfect”, said researchers.
If two different styles for scholars of the Bible indicates that it was written by men, not a deity, the research team behind the algorithm did not comment on why there are many styles of writing.
