Abraham Traditions in the Hebrew Bible outside the Book of Genesis

Abstract

This chapter questions the origins of the Abraham traditions in the Hebrew Bible. Abraham cycle can be divided into two groups. The first approach argues that the formation of Genesis 12-36 has to be explained in the context of a global model applied to entire Pentateuch. The second approach suggests that the link between Patriarchs and Exodus was made at a fairly late point, and that the first stages of the formation of the Abraham traditions took place in the context of the elaboration of a Patriarchal narrative. The various references to Abraham in the Hebrew Bible outside of the Book of Genesis can be classified depending on whether Abraham appears alone or is mentioned together with other figures. Ezek 33:24 and Isa 51:2 present the two main themes of the Abraham narrative in Genesis: land and offspring. They are the oldest references to Abraham outside the book of Genesis. Keywords:Abraham traditions; Exodus; Ezek 33:24; Genesis; Hebrew Bible; Pentateuch