P is one of the five authors (
J,
E,
D,
P, and
R) of the
Pentateuch or
Torah (the first five books of the
Bible) theorized by Biblical scholars. S/he may have lived during the 6th or 5th century BC.
P is short for the "Priestly" author, so named because P stresses religious and legal observances, rituals, and obligations, to a degree which can quickly become tedious. P is responsible for those detailed descriptions of and justifications for
dietary laws, the
Passover ritual, the
Sabbath,
circumcision, clerical ordination ceremonies and vestments, and genealogies. In P's work,
Aaron is given prominence since Aaron was the first high priest of
Israel.
P's contributions include the first creation story (
Genesis 1:1-2:3), the first account of
the Ten Commandments (
Exodus 20:1-17), and the death of
Moses in
Deuteronomy.