Announcements of plots in Genesis
The narrative blocks which comprise Genesis are prefaced by statements which suggest ways in which the ensuing stories are likely to develop. This thesis sets out to investigate how these ~Announcements~ influence their respective plots. In Gen. 1: 28 the primaeval history is introduced by a three-fold imperative. The first part, ~be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth~ has some success in exerting its authority but is threatened by several factors. The second, ~subdue the earth~, is negated. The third, ~have dominion over the animals~, degenerates into a relationship of mutual hostility. Gen. 12: 1-3 contains two promises and a command. The promises of nationhood and land are threatened throughout the Abraham narrative and by the time of his death Abraham has a single heir and hardly any land. However, by the end of Genesis the ancestral family has grown to seventy people who are multiplying, but outside the land that has been promised to them. The command ~be a blessing~ makes hardly any impact because neither Abraham nor his descendants seem disposed to obey it. In the Jacob story the Announcement is found in 25: 23 and 27: 27-29, 39-40. Jacob's lordship over Esau is never seen. The promise of fertility/prosperity
Turner, Laurence A.
Genesis - narrative study
Announcements of plots in Genesis. The narrative blocks which comprise Genesis are prefaced by statements which suggest ways in which the ensuing stories are likely to develop. This thesis sets out to investigate how these ~Announcements~ influence their respective plots. In Gen. 1: 28 the primaeval history is introduced by a three-fold imperative. The first part, ~be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth~ has some success in exerting its authority but is threatened by several factors. The second, ~subdue the earth~, is negated. The third, ~have dominion over the animals~, degenerates into a relationship of mutual hostility. Gen. 12: 1-3 contains two promises and a command. The promises of nationhood and land are threatened throughout the Abraham narrative and by the time of his death Abraham has a single heir and hardly any land. However, by the end of Genesis the ancestral family has grown to seventy people who are multiplying, but outside the land that has been promised to them. The command ~be a blessing~ makes hardly any impact because neither Abraham nor his descendants seem disposed to obey it. In the Jacob story the Announcement is found in 25: 23 and 27: 27-29, 39-40. Jacob's lordship over Esau is never seen. The promise of fertility/prosperity
genesis narrative block comprise genesis preface statement suggest_way ensue story likely develop set_investigate influence respective plot gen history introduce three_fold imperative first_part fruitful multiply fill earth success exert authority threaten several_factor second earth negate third have dominion animals relationship mutual hostility gen contains promise command promise nationhood land threaten throughout abraham narrative time death abraham single heir hardly land however end genesis ancestral family grow seventy people multiply outside land promise them command blessing make hardly impact neither abraham descendant seem dispose obey story find lordship never see promise fertility prosperity