A Parallel Structure between the Jacob Narrative (Gen 25:19-37:1) and the Joseph Narrative (Gen 37:2-50:26): The Purpose of God's Election of the Patriarch
Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the possibility of a parallel structure between the Jacob (Gen 25:19-37:1) and the Joseph narratives (Gen 37:2-50:26). This study proposes a new understanding of the Joseph narrative as well as the nature of the redactional materials in their relation both to the original Joseph story and the Jacob narrative. Using a holistic, synchronic approach to the narratives, this dissertation investigates how the redactional materials (Genesis 38; 46-50) are deliberately and carefully redacted and added to the original Joseph story so as to complete the parallel between the Jacob and the Joseph narratives. Chapter One examines the different approaches to the Joseph narrative, such as the documentary, traditio-historical, redactional, and synchronic approaches. Chapter Two demonstrates how the redactional materials (Genesis 38; 46-50) are carefully and deliberately redacted to be an integral part of the Joseph story in the development of the story line. This chapter also surveys how the redactional materials parallel with the Jacob narrative in terms of literary and thematic/theological features. Chapter Three examines the unique thematic and theological parallels between the Jacob narrative and the original Joseph story (Genesis 37; 39-45). Chapter Four analyzes the eight matching pairs of units between the Jacob and the Joseph narratives as a whole based on the findings of the thematic/theological parallel features between the two narratives. Chapter Five investigates the theological dimension of a parallel structure between the Jacob and the Joseph narratives in relation to the meaning of God’s election. It concludes that the Joseph narrative is carefully redacted so as to create a parallel structure with the Jacob narrative and to convey clearly and persuasively a theological or ideological message: God’s grace and faithfulness despite the unworthiness of the chosen enable them to live out their destiny as the chosen.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Eun Jung Kim
Language: English
Subfield: Religious studies
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2604230742