Judah's Development: The Pattern of Departure-Transition-Return

Abstract

This article shows, through a literary-critical approach, that the episode of Genesis 38 is intimately related to the Joseph story. This relationship is shown by focusing upon the character development of Judah. I analyze in particular Judah's character as revealed through the structural pattern of departure-transition-return, as it spans Genesis 38 and the Joseph story. This analysis shows that the dramatic experiences that Judah undergo in ch. 38 is crucial to understanding Judah's important role as spokesman for the family in the Joseph story. Other themes and motifs, such as identity, justice, responsibility, blessing, reconciliation, continuity and favoritism are also identified, which, by way of analogy and allusion, connect ch. 38 to the whole of the book of Genesis.