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Genesis 37–50: Joseph Story or Jacob Story?
Abstract
Genesis 37-50 universally known as the Joseph Story, leaves scholars with question about its boundaries and unity. This chapter brings to the fore two neglected aspects of the story: the rivalry between the brothers for firstborn status, and the brothers' recognition of a divine plan trumping their own plans. It argues that the Genesis theme of fraternal striving for firstborn status provides the major dramatic tension. It then explores the parallel between Joseph's and Judah's going down from their brothers and reached the conclusion that Judah's confession in 38:26 was nothing less than his recognition of the divine force increasing in his family in spite of his own sinful choices. Author elaborates the dramatic necessity of Jacob's Testament (ch. 49): Jacob regains his paternal authority by adjudicating his sons' status, declaring that firstborn privilege will be shared by Rachel's son Joseph and Leah's son Judah. Keywords:firstborn status; Genesis; Jacob; Joseph; Judah; Rachel
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The Bible, culture and ethics: Trickery in the narrative of Judah and Tamar
Pietersen, L., & Fourie, W. J. (2015) · HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies · doi:10.4102/hts.v71i3.2937 · Cited by 5
Boże wybraństwo Józefa. W poszukiwaniu ukrytych sensów narracji Rdz 37–50
Komarnytskyy, V. (2026) · Ruch Biblijny i Liturgiczny · doi:10.21906/rbl.3788
Metadata
- Authors
- Clifford, R. J.
- Corresponding author
- Clifford, Richard J.
- ORCID
- Clifford, Richard J.
- Venue
- The Book of Genesis
- Publisher
- BRILL
- Published
- 2012-01-01
- Pages
- 213-229
- OpenAlex
- W2295493943
- Semantic Scholar
- 45450d2b597295935da7ced38d35a5d537f5f431
- Cited by
- 2
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2015: 1
- FWCI
- 9.71
- Type
- book chapter
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- BRILL eBooks (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Biblical Studies and Interpretation
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Language and Linguistics › Classical Studies and Philology
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Religion, Theology, History, Judaism, Christianity
- Keywords
- Joseph Story, Genesis 37-50, Jacob, Joseph, Judah, Rachel, Genesis 49, divine plan, patriarchal authority
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