The Sale of Joseph in Genesis 37:18–26: Narrative Cohesion and Coherence
The purpose of this discussion is to assess the ability of the Documentary Hypothesis to provide a compelling reading of Genesis 37. Is the literary reconstruction of the J/E source divisions able to offer a compelling, internally consistent text? As a counter proposal, I consider the framework of c...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2024
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| In: |
The journal of Hebrew scriptures
Year: 2024, Volume: 24, Pages: 1-30 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Bible. Genesis 37,12-36
/ Bible. Genesis 37
/ Yahwist
/ Elohist
/ Story
/ Methodology
/ Coherence
/ Cohesion
/ Ishmaelites
/ Midianites
|
| IxTheo Classification: | HB Old Testament |
| Further subjects: | B
Cohesion
B Genesis 37 B Documentary Hypothesis B Narrative B (Neo-)Documentarian B Coherence B Ishmael(ite) B Joseph Story B narrative link B J / E source B Midian(ite) |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | The purpose of this discussion is to assess the ability of the Documentary Hypothesis to provide a compelling reading of Genesis 37. Is the literary reconstruction of the J/E source divisions able to offer a compelling, internally consistent text? As a counter proposal, I consider the framework of coherence theory as a means of evaluating the central claim of documentarians that Genesis 37 lacks compositional cohesion and coherence. The method of this discussion takes the following course. First, I sketch out a brief overview of the various compositional approaches to Genesis 37 and its place in the Joseph story. Second, I consider the nature of narrative cohesion and coherence and how these concepts inform one’s reading of Genesis 37, arguing that the markers of cohesion embedded in the narrative provide a means of guiding the reader coherently through the twists and turns of the plot line. Third, I highlight several narrative links that cross proposed source boundaries, functioning as linguistic signals for cohesion, and that suggest literary coherence. Fourth, I re-assess the so-called Ishmaelite/Midianite problem that has served a central role in most source divisions of Genesis 37. |
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| ISSN: | 1203-1542 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: The journal of Hebrew scriptures
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.5508/jhs29634 |
