Genesis L 15-21: A Theological Exploration

Abstract

The study of the Joseph narrative has been dominated by the work of Martin Noth and Gerhard von Rad. Their work has led to a cul-desac . Noth has been interested only in the great themes of the Pentateuch and paid little attention to this narrative. Von Rad, with his wisdom hypothesis, has also disregarded this narrative in his study of the Hexateuch, and has treated the internal character of the narrative in something of a vacuum. This chapter considers Genesis L 15-21 as a piece of carefully wrought theology. The theological statement is drawn upon those theological motifs that Israel found most useful in contexts of fear and hopelessness. The Joseph story is shaped for the primary purpose of staging speech which is carefully placed at the seam between Exodus and Genesis. The chapter functions typologically for a religious seam or crisis in Israel's life. Keywords: Exodus; Genesis L 15-21; Gerhard von Rad; Martin Noth; theological exploration