Reasons for the Higher Criticism of the Hexateuch

srael, which offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the Lord."?Exodus xxiv: 4, 5. (3) After like fasaion Joshua built an altar and offered sacrifice on Mount Ebal, which, it is said, was done in obedience to the law. (Written in the book of the Law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lifted up any iron.?Joshua viii: 31.) Plainly Joshua did not know of the laws making the priesthood of Aaron and his sons and their altar of brass at the door of the Tabernacle exclusive. (4) It is said in the book of Judges (vi: 24-27) that Gideon built an altar and offered sacrifices, and in chapter xiii: 17-25, we are told that Manoah made an offering upon a rock, which God accepted. (5) We are informed in the same book (xxi: 4) that, during the controversy of Israel with the tribe of Benjamin, the people built an altar unto the Lord and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. (6) We are told in the book of I Samuel (vii: 17) that Samuel built an altar unto the Lord at Ramah, and in xiv: 35, that King Saul built an altar. (7) In II Samuel we are informed that King David built an altar and offered sacrifices in Jerusalem, though he had just brought back the ark and placed it in the Tabernacle he had built for it. (8) King Solomon went from Jerusalem to Gibeonand made a great sacrifice, and was there favored by God with his noted vision, which showed plainly that his offerings were accepted. (9) Ac...