Let’s be honest: The Old Testament (the Hebrew Bible) is a daunting collection of texts. It’s not just one book; it’s an ancient library of poetry, legal codes, historical chronicles, and fiery prophecy spanning over a thousand years. Reading it as a believer is one thing, but studying it critically—looking at its authorship, historical context, and linguistic layers—is a completely different challenge.
Below is the exam paper download link
Past Paper On Critical Study Of The Old Testament For Revision
Above is the exam paper download link
When you sit for a “Critical Study of the Old Testament” exam, the marker isn’t looking for a Sunday school summary. They want to see if you can handle the “Source Criticism” tools, understand the socio-political climate of the Ancient Near East, and track the evolution of the concept of God. To help you get into that academic mindset, we’ve deconstructed the big-ticket questions found in recent past papers.
The Revision Q&A: Deconstructing the Text
Q: What is the ‘Documentary Hypothesis’ (JEDP) and is it still relevant? This is arguably the most famous theory in biblical criticism. Proposed largely by Julius Wellhausen, it suggests that the Pentateuch (the first five books) wasn’t written by Moses alone but was edited together from four distinct sources:
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J (Jahwist): Uses the name Yahweh; often depicts God in human-like terms.
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E (Elohist): Focuses on the Northern Kingdom and uses the name Elohim.
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D (Deuteronomist): Primarily found in Deuteronomy; emphasizes the covenant and the law.
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P (Priestly): Concerned with rituals, genealogies, and the Temple.
In an exam, don’t just list them—explain how spotting these different “voices” helps resolve contradictions in the text, like why there are two different creation stories in Genesis.
Q: How does the ‘Enuma Elish’ or the ‘Epic of Gilgamesh’ help us understand the Bible? Biblical scholars look at the Old Testament through the lens of the Ancient Near East. For example, the Babylonian creation myth (Enuma Elish) and the flood story in Gilgamesh share striking similarities with Genesis.
Key Exam Tip: Focus on the differences. While the Babylonian myths are polytheistic and chaotic, the Genesis accounts emphasize a single, orderly Creator. This is called Comparative Criticism.
Q: What is the significance of the ‘Covenant’ (Berit) in Hebrew history? The Old Testament revolves around the “Covenant”—a formal agreement between God and His people. You must be able to distinguish between:
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The Abrahamic Covenant: Focusing on land and progeny (Unconditional).
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The Mosaic/Sinaitic Covenant: Focusing on the Law and obedience (Conditional).
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The Davidic Covenant: Focusing on the eternal kingdom.
Q: What is the role of ‘Form Criticism’ (Gattung) in studying the Psalms? Hermann Gunkel revolutionized this area by looking for the “Sitz im Leben” (setting in life). Instead of asking who wrote a Psalm, ask how it was used. Was it for a royal coronation? A funeral? A temple festival? Identifying the genre helps you interpret the author’s intent.
The Power of the Past Paper: Your Scholarly Blueprint
You can read the text until your eyes glaze over, but a “Critical Study” requires you to apply theories. You need to know how to identify “Anachronisms” (things that are out of place in time) or explain the “Deuteronomistic History” under a 45-minute timer.
By downloading our Critical Study of the Old Testament past paper, you will:
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Master the Jargon: Practice using terms like Exegesis, Hermeneutics, Hapax Legomena, and Redaction correctly.
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Refine Your Analysis: Learn how to critique the historical accuracy of the “Conquest of Canaan” using archaeological evidence.
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Spot the Trends: You’ll notice that questions on Gender and the Old Testament and Post-Colonial Readings are becoming standard features in 2026.
Download Your Revision Material Here
Ready to turn your interest in the ancient world into a distinction? Don’t leave your performance to guesswork. The best way to build your confidence is to tackle the textual puzzles that have challenged scholars for centuries. Use the link below to download a curated past paper.
[Click Here to Download the Critical Study of the Old Testament Past Paper PDF]
A Quick Parting Tip: The ‘Redaction’ Rule
Whenever you are asked about why a text seems choppy or repetitive, mention Redaction Criticism. It’s the study of how an editor (a Redactor) took various oral and written traditions and wove them into the final book we have today. Mentioning the “theological intent” of the editor is a surefire way to impress your marker!
