Tradition, History, and Our Story: Some Observations on Jacob and Esau in the Books of Obadiah and Malachi

Abstract

In both Genesis and early prophecy, Jacob, the father of the chosen people of Israel, is harshly criticized for the shrewd trickery that he employs to supplant his brother Esau. The role reversal of the twins thus challenges later biblical authors. It is argued in this study that, from the way this tradition is used for purposes of communication in Obadiah and Malachi, two alternative interpretations may be discerned. While Obadiah explains the role reversal as a result of Esau's misconduct, Malachi interprets it as an inscrutable act of divine election. Tracing the latter approach in Paul's letter to the Romans, both the bearing of these actualizing interpretations on the tradition itself and the way different communities used it as common story are observed.