Abraham from the "Sacrifice of Isaac" by Rembrandt

Chapter 2 Genesis 12-50: The Ancestral Story The Ancestral Story gives an account of Israel's parentage, the matriarchs and patriarchs of the nation. The account is organized into three cycles of episodes revolving around Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction and Key Terms

1. Abraham Cycle (11:27-25:11)


Story Line
A. Call and Covenant (12-17)
1. To and From Canaan (12-14)
2. Heir to the Promise (15-16)
3. Covenant of Circumcision (17)

B. Abraham and Isaac (18-22)

1. Birth Announcement (18-19)
2. Threat (20-21)
3. Testing (22)

C. Last Days (23:1-25:11)

Interlude: The Ishmael Toledot (25:12-18)

2. Jacob Cycle (25:19-35:29)


Story Line
A. Jacob versus Esau: Stealing the Blessing (25:19-28:22)
B. Jacob versus Laban: Building a Family (29-31)
C. Jacob versus God: Wrestling for a Blessing (32-35)

Interlude: The Esau Toledot (36)

3. Joseph Cycle (37:1-50:26)


Story Line
A. Joseph and his Brothers (37-45)

1. Joseph the Dreamer (37)
2. Judah and Tamar (38)
3. Joseph's Rise to Power (39-41)
4. Joseph versus his Brothers (42-45)

B. Israel in Egypt (46-50)


4. Genesis as a Whole

A. Toledot
B. Themes


For Further Study

RESOURCE LIST

ToC | Reading the Old Testament

. . . Chapter 2. Genesis 12-50 | ToC