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And the Joseph Narrative (Gen 37:2-50:26): the Purpose of God’S Election of the Patriarch

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And the Joseph Narrative (Gen 37:2-50:26): the Purpose of God’S Election of the Patriarch A Parallel Structure between the Jacob Narrative (Gen 25:19-37:1) and the Joseph Narrative (Gen 37:2-50:26): The Purpose of God’s Election of the Patriarch by Eunjung Kim A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Theology of the University of St. Michael’s College and the Biblical Department of the Toronto School of Theology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology awarded by the University of St. Michael’s College © Copyright by Eunjung Kim 2013 A Parallel Structure between the Jacob Narrative (Gen 25:19-37:1) and the Joseph Narrative (Gen 37:2-50:26): The Purpose of God’s Election of the Patriarchs Eun Jung Kim Doctor of Philosophy in Theology University of St. Michael’s College 2013 Abstract The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the possibility of a parallel structure between the Jacob (Gen 25:19-37:1) and the Joseph narratives (Gen 37:2-50:26). This study proposes a new understanding of the Joseph narrative as well as the nature of the redactional materials in their relation both to the original Joseph story and the Jacob narrative. Using a holistic, synchronic approach to the narratives, this dissertation investigates how the redactional materials (Genesis 38; 46-50) are deliberately and carefully redacted and added to the original Joseph story so as to complete the parallel between the Jacob and the Joseph narratives. Chapter One examines the different approaches to the Joseph narrative, such as the documentary, traditio-historical, redactional, and synchronic approaches. Chapter Two demonstrates how the redactional materials (Genesis 38; 46-50) are carefully and deliberately redacted to be an integral part of the Joseph story in the development of the story line. This chapter also surveys how the redactional materials parallel with the Jacob narrative in terms of literary and thematic/theological features. Chapter Three examines the unique thematic and theological parallels between the Jacob narrative and the original Joseph story (Genesis 37; 39-45). Chapter Four analyzes the eight matching pairs of units between the Jacob and the Joseph narratives as a whole based on the findings of the ii thematic/theological parallel features between the two narratives. Chapter Five investigates the theological dimension of a parallel structure between the Jacob and the Joseph narratives in relation to the meaning of God’s election. It concludes that the Joseph narrative is carefully redacted so as to create a parallel structure with the Jacob narrative and to convey clearly and persuasively a theological or ideological message: God’s grace and faithfulness despite the unworthiness of the chosen enable them to live out their destiny as the chosen. iii Acknowledgements As I look back over the last several years, I realize that this dissertation could not have been written without a great deal of help from many people. First, I am deeply indebted to Prof. Glen Taylor, my supervisor, whose thoughtful and many valuable comments and warm encouragement have enabled me to complete this dissertation. In particular, Prof. Glen Taylor suggested this topic which I would have not been able to think of as my dissertation topic on my own. He read this dissertation with painstaking care, and helped me with many critical insights in the process of revision. I am also grateful to Prof. Marion Taylor and Prof. John McLaughlin for their time and expertise in the proposal state of the process. In particular, I would like to express a special appreciation to Prof. Marion Taylor for her support and encouragement in the time of academic crisis during my Th.M. program. Without her support, I would have never made this far in my academic study. There are also many others whose contributions have been valuable to me. Special thanks go to Prof. Glen Taylor, Prof. Marion Taylor, the late Prof. Gerald T. Sheppard, and the late Prof. Brian Peckham for their support, encouragement, and insightful teaching. I would also like to thank my dear friend Elder Lorna Hutchinson for proof-reading my dissertation chapter by chapter. I would also like to thank my friends/mentors. I am very grateful to Prof. Soon Ok Lee in Korea, Rev. Mira Park (Young Nak Korean Presbyterian Church), Rev. Paul Bong Kyu Choi (Dream Church) and Peter Kyung Jin Kim (Korean Philadelphia Presbyterian Church) for their financial and spiritual support during my doctoral study. I must also express my gratitude to my dear friends. Many thanks are due to Jan Ross and her family, iv Pastor Janet Kim, Dr. Bryan Lee and Rev. Hye Kyung Han for their loving care and friendship. The presence of these dear friends has made me feel at home in Canada. Their prayers and encouragement are priceless. Finally, I would like to thank my family and dedicate this work to them as they have been always supportive of my academic journey in Canada. Without the great amount of financial and emotional support given by my family, the completion of this dissertation would not have been possible. I am especially grateful to Jin Up Kim and Ok Ja Lee, my parents, and Mee Sook, my late sister, as they have given their unconditional love and encouragement. I also thank my elder sisters, Mee Rae Kim and Mee Ra Kim, and my younger brother, Dong Gi Kim, as they have helped me concentrate on my study abroad by taking good care of our parents and my niece Bianca Hyun Young Moon and my nephew Kevin Young Heum Moon. v Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ iv Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... vi Abbreviations ...................................................................................................................... x Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter One ........................................................................................................................ 7 Various Readings of the Joseph Narrative (Gen 37:2-50:26) ............................................. 7 With Emphasis on the Redactional Materials ..................................................................... 7 (Genesis 38; 46-50) ............................................................................................................. 7 1. The Source-Critical Approaches ............................................................................. 7 2. The Traditio-Historical Approaches ...................................................................... 12 3. Synchronic Approaches ......................................................................................... 30 4. Redaction-critical Approaches ............................................................................... 35 4.1 The Composite but Unified Character of the Joseph Narrative ....................... 38 4.2 Both Jacob and Joseph Stories Reflected in Gen 46:1-50:26 .......................... 41 Chapter Two: .................................................................................................................... 46 Integral Redactional Unity of the Joseph Narrative as a Whole ....................................... 46 (Gen 37:2-50:26) and the Function and Purpose of the .................................................... 46 Redactional Materials (Genesis 38; 46-50)....................................................................... 46 1. Integral Interconnectedness of the Redactional Materials (Genesis 38; 46-50) with the Original Joseph Story and Among Themselves ...................................................................................... 46 1.1 The Interconnectedness of Genesis 38 to the Original Joseph Story and to Other Redactional Materials ...................................... 47 1.1.1 Genesis 38 in Its Links to the Immediate Context .................................... 48 1.1.2 Genesis 38 as a Microcosm of the Original Joseph Story ........................ 50 1.1.3 Genesis 38 in Its Links to Gen 44:18-34 and Genesis 49 as a Judah-focused Story .................................................................... 51 1.2 The Interconnectedness of Gen 46:1-47:12 to the Original Joseph Story and to Other Redactional Materials ...................................... 55 1.2.1 Links of Gen 46:1-5 to Gen 47:27; Gen 48:21; Genesis 49; and Gen 50:1-14 ................................................................................ 55 1.2.2 Links of Gen 46:8-27 to Genesis 38; Gen 41:50-52; Gen 46:3; Gen 47:27; Gen 48:21 and Genesis 49................................................. 57 1.2.3 Links of Gen 46:31-47:12 to Gen 45:10-11, 18-20; Gen 48:4 and to Gen 50:4- 14 .............................................................................. 58 1.3 The Interconnectedness of Gen 47:13-27 to the Original Joseph Story and to ..................................................................................... 60 1.3.1 Gen 47:13-27 and Gen 41:53-57; Gen 45:5-13; Gen 50:15-21 within the Motif of Preservation and Nationhood ......................... 61 1.3.2 Gen 47:13-27 Compared with Gen 47:10-12, Genesis 48, & Genesis 49 within the Motif of Blessing ....................................... 64 1.4 The Interconnectedness of Gen 47:28-50:14 to
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