| Popis: |
The story of Joseph's descent to Egypt in Genesis 37 is intended to explain how the chain of events led to Israel's arrival in Egypt. A close reading of the text reveals that the account contains four functionally equivalent, six irreconcilable contradictions and eight inexplicable disruptions in narrative, rendering it unintelligible in its canonical form. The disruptions are all temporary; each broken thread resumes later in the chapter precisely where it was abandoned. The segments of text bearing a clear mutual affinity readily align along two distinct axes: we find Jacob's favoritism and the special garment he provides for Joseph, Joseph's dreams, the plot to murder him, Judah's successful attempt to prevent the murder and the sale of Joseph to the Ishmaelites; we find the brothers tending flocks of sheep, Joseph's tale-bearing and its consequences, Reuben's failed attempt to rescue Joseph, Joseph in the cistern and his abduction by Midianites. Keywords:Egypt; Genesis; Ishmaelites; Israel; Jacob; Joseph; Judah; Midianites |
