Journal: Tyndale Bulletin
Volume: TYNBUL 67:2 (NA 2016)
Article: Abram As Israel, Israel As Abram Literary Analogy As Macro-Structural Strategy In The Torah
Author: Seth D. Postell

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Abram As Israel, Israel As Abram
Literary Analogy As Macro-Structural Strategy In The Torah

Seth D. Postell

([email protected])

Summary

The argument is made that through the use of literary devices, the individual stories of the Abram narrative (Genesis 11–15) were strategically arranged to correspond with Israel’s story as told in the Book of Exodus. Although previous commentators have observed some parallels between these two stories, this article asserts that the reach of this literary analogy extends further than a few identifiable similarities, and reveals an overarching compositional strategy. Potential meanings of this analogy vis-à-vis its similarities and differences are explored, and the use of this extended literary analogy is considered as a framework for appreciating the NT’s figural interpretation of some Pentateuchal narratives.

1. Introduction

Moshe ben Nahman (Ramban, 12–13th c. AD) argued ‘Everything that happened to the fathers is a sign to the sons.’1 Looking to the Patriarchal narratives for these signs by unpacking allegories could potentially open the door for all kinds of eisegetical interpretations at odds with careful exegesis. At the same time, it would be careless to dismiss Ramban’s assertion hastily without consideration, given the

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presence of manifold literary features such as allusion and literary analogy placed throughout the biblical text.2

Both Jewish and Christian scholars have already uncovered many of the literary parallels between Abram’s story and what happens later in Israel’s story, as will later be discussed, but it seems that the observable interplay of the two stories is far more extensive than may have been previously noticed.

Textual evidence indicates that the individual stories that constitute the Abram narrative (Gen. 11–15) have been strategically arranged to foreshadow Israel’s exodus from Egypt, their journey through the wilderness to Mount Sinai, and the making of the Sinai Covenant. The abundance of shared language and themes ranging over such a broad swath of texts strongly suggests the presence of an overarching and unifying textual strategy. Israel came forth from the loins of their father Abram. So too did their history.

Many literary and thematic parallels can be seen between Genesis 1–11 and Israel’s story as recorded in the Former Prophets (Jos...