I know it has been nearly two years since this discussion took place but back to part of PiCo s original point there is no recognition at the time I write in this article of R E Friedman s redating of the P source to Hezekiah s time The mistake in attributing the P source the last half of Exodus all of Leviticus much of early Genesis etc to postexilic times has made hash of much of the secular history minded Torah interpretation that I grew up with and I am grateful to Friedman for helping me set matters straight I d like to see this article provide just a little more help to others who might be similarly grateful talk