Journal: Journal of Ministry and Theology
Volume: JMAT 25:2 (Fall 2021)
Article: A Narrative Analysis Of Pre-Sinaitic Well Scenes
Author: Donald C. McIntyre

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A Narrative Analysis Of Pre-Sinaitic Well Scenes

Donald C. McIntyre

Abstract: There is a definite narrative progression in the well scenes of the Pentateuch, showing a cataphoric function to identify a deliverer for the progeny of Abraham. This impacts the Abrahamic promise, as is witnessed by an examination of the literary context and a description of narrative methodology and a plot-line analysis of major well scenes in Genesis and Exodus (Gen 16, 21, 24, 29, and Exod 2). A comparison of these scenes show the progression leading to Moses as the deliverer par excellence of Abraham’s elect-progeny and effector of the deliverance of Israel from Egypt in fulfilment of Genesis 15:13–14. Previous analyses of the patriarchal well scenes which concluded that “seed line” or “betrothal” considerations were the primary motivation for these scenes’ inclusion in the canon are unable to account for the entirety of the data in a way that this thesis is better able to defend.

Key Words: Abraham, Moses, Well, Genesis, Exodus

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Introduction

The imagery of a well has been examined in detail by numerous theologians, with some seeing well scenes as nothing more than betrothal settings and others who see them as markers of Israelite boundaries.2 In spite of this, an analysis

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of how these narratives fit together is lacking in biblical scholarship. The goal of this article is to analyze the narrative plot structure of the major well scenes in pre-Sinaitic literature (Genesis 1 through Exodus 2). This will establish a definite narrative progression in the well scenes of the Pentateuch, showing a cataphoric function to identify a deliverer for the progeny of Abraham. This present analysis will begin with an examination of the literary context and a description of narrative methodology before moving through a plot-line analysis of major well scenes in Genesis and Exodus (Gen 16; 21; 24; 29; and Exod 2) with a particular emphasis on characterization.3After the plot s...