The theme of 'blessing for the nations' in the patriarchal narratives of genesis
The universalistic promise expressed by a formula with the theme ~Blessing for the Nations~ in the Old Testament is primarily found in the patriarchal narratives (Gen. l2-35). This aspect of the patriarchal narratives however has not been adequately studied. Previous discussions of the theme, based primarily on 12:1-3, and conducted within the framework of the Yahwist's work, are shown to be inadequate in our survey in shedding light on the positioning and significance of the theme in the overall patriarchal narratives. The survey indicates a literary analysis of these narratives could probably yield more positive results. 2. A. formulaic analysis shows that the niphal form is used at the beginning of a patriarchs career to express a probationary, and the hithpael form to express a reaffirmatory, relationship of the patriarch to the promised universal destiny. Strikingly, the 'seed' plays a prominent role in the destiny. The formula also serves to link the patriarchs' calling to the primeval history and the history of the early formative period of the Israelite people. 3. The Abraham story (Gen.12-.22) is encased by the theme. A double-chiastic arrangement of the narratives (in two groups) shows a movement
Chew, Hiang Chea
Biblical studies
The theme of 'blessing for the nations' in the patriarchal narratives of genesis. The universalistic promise expressed by a formula with the theme ~Blessing for the Nations~ in the Old Testament is primarily found in the patriarchal narratives (Gen. l2-35). This aspect of the patriarchal narratives however has not been adequately studied. Previous discussions of the theme, based primarily on 12:1-3, and conducted within the framework of the Yahwist's work, are shown to be inadequate in our survey in shedding light on the positioning and significance of the theme in the overall patriarchal narratives. The survey indicates a literary analysis of these narratives could probably yield more positive results. 2. A. formulaic analysis shows that the niphal form is used at the beginning of a patriarchs career to express a probationary, and the hithpael form to express a reaffirmatory, relationship of the patriarch to the promised universal destiny. Strikingly, the 'seed' plays a prominent role in the destiny. The formula also serves to link the patriarchs' calling to the primeval history and the history of the early formative period of the Israelite people. 3. The Abraham story (Gen.12-.22) is encased by the theme. A double-chiastic arrangement of the narratives (in two groups) shows a movement
theme blessing nation patriarchal narrative genesis promise express formula theme blessing nations old_testament primarily find patriarchal narrative gen aspect patriarchal narrative however adequately study previous discussion theme base_primarily conduct_within framework work show inadequate survey shed_light position significance theme overall patriarchal narrative survey indicate literary_analysis narrative could probably yield positive result formulaic analysis_show form use begin career express form express relationship patriarch promise universal destiny strikingly seed play_prominent role destiny formula also_serve link patriarch call history history early formative_period israelite people abraham story gen theme double arrangement narrative two_group show movement