Pronunciation: [jˈɑːvɪst] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "Yahvist" is based on the pronunciation of the original Hebrew word "Yahweh." It is spelled with a "v" instead of a "w" because in Hebrew, the letter "vav" can represent either the sound "v" or "w". The "i" in Yahvist is added to indicate that it is a noun. The IPA transcription of Yahvist is /jɑvɪst/. The stress is on the second syllable, represented by the primary accent mark ( ́ ) over the "a".
Yahvist refers to a term used in biblical studies to identify one of the sources or authorship traditions believed to have contributed to the composition of the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. The Yahvist, also known as the J source, is considered one of the four main sources of the Pentateuch or Torah, along with the Elohist (E), Deuteronomist (D), and Priestly (P) sources.
The Yahvist is characterized by its distinct use of the divine name "Yahweh" (often transliterated as Jehovah or Yahveh) as the personal name for God. This source is believed to have been composed in the southern kingdom of Judah during the 10th century BCE, although its exact dates and authorship remain uncertain.
The texts attributed to the Yahvist contain stories and theological themes that emphasize human-like characteristics and interactions between God and humanity. These narratives often depict God in anthropomorphic terms, such as walking in the garden of Eden or engaging in conversations with individuals. Prominent stories associated with the Yahvist include the creation story, the flood narrative, and the accounts of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The identification of the Yahvist as a distinct source within the Bible has been a significant area of research and analysis in biblical scholarship. Scholars seek to identify the distinct features, literary style, and theological perspectives associated with the Yahvist in order to better understand the development and composition of the biblical text.
The word "Yahvist" is derived from the Hebrew term "Yahwist" or "Yahwistic". It is a reference to the Yahwist source, one of the supposed authors or contributors to the composition of the Torah, specifically the Book of Genesis. The term "Yahwist" comes from the Hebrew name for God, "Yahweh", which is often transliterated in English as "Yahveh" or "Jehovah". Therefore, "Yahvist" simply refers to someone associated with or belonging to the Yahwist source.
