Abstract

The aim of this paper is to focus on the portrayal of Abraham in the letter to the Galatians and the book of Genesis respectively and to put it in perspective. What are the similarities and differences in the portrayal of Abraham in the Biblical books of Galatians and Genesis respectively? Three promises are made to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3: land, progeny and blessing. It is interesting that, in each one of the passages investigated, emphasis is laid mainly (but not exclusively) on one of the promises. In Genesis 12-25, attention is paid to the promise of land and on Abraham as a blessing to the nations, but the emphasis is mainly on the problem of progeny. When Abraham resurfaces in the exilic time, the promise of the land seems to be the primary focus. In Galatians 3, the main emphasis is on blessing as the third part of the promises made to Abraham.

Highlights

  • AND PROBLEM STATEMENTIt is a truism to claim that Abraham serves as an important figure in both the Old and the New Testament

  • The aim of this paper is to focus on the portrayal of Abraham in the letter to the Galatians and the book of Genesis respectively and to put it in perspective

  • What are the similarities and differences in the portrayal of Abraham in the Biblical books of Galatians and Genesis respectively? Three promises are made to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3: land, progeny and blessing

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Summary

INTRODUCTION

Examining this issue and making use of the figure of Abraham will help us understand Paul’s argument in Galatians better. This contribution will not deal with the interpretation of Abraham in Jewish thought during the time of Paul as is customary in commentaries on Galatians (Longenecker 1990:110-112; De Boer 2011:187-188). This contribution will focus mainly on Galatians 3:1-14 due to constraints of time and space

ABRAHAM IN GALATIANS
An analysis of Paul’s argument
Considering the context of Paul’s argument
ABRAHAM IN GENESIS
The thrust of the Abraham narrative in Genesis
A consideration of the theme of faith in the Abraham narrative
A Consideration of the theme of blessing in the Abraham narrative
Abraham in the rest of the Old Testament
Abraham read against an exilic background
The motif of entering and re-entering the land
Similarities
Differences
CONCLUSION

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