Genesis 37-50: The Story of Jacob and His Sons in Light of the Primary Narrative (Genesis ~ 2 Kings) 1

Abstract

Genesis 37 to 50 is traditionally known as the story of Joseph, or sometimes referred to as the story of Israel (Jacob)-Joseph. It seems that these two fathers are considered to be the main characters, and their influence predominates in various ways within the storyline of the novella. In this article, I challenge the titles traditionally given to the story because they do not fit into the wider context of the Primary Narrative (Genesis ~ 2 Kings). Chapters 37-50 do not merely focus on Joseph or Jacob, but also have an interest in other characters and a wider perspective. This is the reason, for instance, why a chapter such as Genesis 38, and the characters Judah and Tamar, exists in the present form in their stories. These considerations lead me to propose a more suitable title for this section of narrative, that is, The Story of Jacob and His Sons. Reframing these chapters in this way assists the reader in understanding how the multiple threads of the subsequent narratives are to be combined.