The Evolution of the Joseph Story

Abstract

The correct understanding of the origin of Yahwism, calf worship, early legislation, the tabernacle, the Levite and Aaronite priesthoods, and in fact the entire issue of the religious origins of the Hebrews' depends largely upon the true interpretation of the Hebrew sojourn in Egypt. This in turn involves the issue of the entrance of the Hebrews into Egypt. It is becoming more generally recognized that all the twelve tribes did not enter Egypt. Evidence for this is found in the small number who formed the Exodus party,2 in the antagonisms and religious differences between the north and south, and in the records of the Amarna letters, the Merneptah stele, and the Boghaz-Keui documents.3 This evidence, together with that found in the biblical records, indicates that the invasion of northern Canaan under Hoshea preceded the invasion of southern Canaan by the Exodus party. The northern tribes were not in Egypt, the Aaronite elements of the Exodus story being a later interpolation.4 The Joseph story, however, maintains that all the tribes did enter Egypt, following in the wake of the Joseph tribe. Clearly, if our historical analysis is valid, the story of Joseph must be explained otherwise than as reminiscences of historical tribal migrations. To suggest such an explanation is the purpose of this paper. Attempts have already been made to explain the Joseph story in the light of the fertility cults,5 but these attempts have been limited to