Joseph, Judah, and Plot
An Exploration of Narrative Continuity in Genesis 37-50
©2025
Monographs
XX,
142 Pages
Series:
Studies in Biblical Literature, Volume 187
Summary
Joseph, Judah, and Plot explores the concept of narrative continuity in Genesis 37-50. By tracing the plot-structure of the story about Jacob and his sons, author Paul Twiss assesses the cohesiveness and intent of the narrative. He uses Paul Ricoeur’s philosophical work, Time and Narrative, as a methodological foundation to inform a new, literary reading of the text. Central to the author’s understanding of plot is the importance of the narrative world in which the drama unfolds, and the intended effect on the reader. When we trace the plot-structure from the narrative world to the world of the reader we see more fully its unity, and its potential to shape the minds of those who submit to its leading.
This is a landmark new reading of one of the most important passages in the Book of Genesis, and will be essential reading for scholars and students interested in narrative and structure in the Old Testament.
"Drawing helpfully on the narrative theory of Paul Ricoeur, Paul Twiss demonstrates both the coherence of Genesis 37-50 and its theological contribution. His reading consistently illuminates the text, and so contributes not only to our understanding of it but also how awareness of narrative conventions can assist the reading of other Old Testament narratives."
—Dr David G. Firth, Old Testament Tutor, Trinity College Bristol and Research Associate, University of the Free State
"In this compelling study Dr Paul Twiss breaks new ground by exploring how the neglected topic of plot may enrich our comprehension of Genesis 37-50. Highlighting the continuity of the narrative, he reveals how the final section of Genesis centres on the hope of royal deliverer. This is essential reading for anyone seeking to grasp the narrative dynamics of Genesis 37-50."
—Dr T. Desmond Alexander, Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies, Union Theological College, Belfast
This is a landmark new reading of one of the most important passages in the Book of Genesis, and will be essential reading for scholars and students interested in narrative and structure in the Old Testament.
"Drawing helpfully on the narrative theory of Paul Ricoeur, Paul Twiss demonstrates both the coherence of Genesis 37-50 and its theological contribution. His reading consistently illuminates the text, and so contributes not only to our understanding of it but also how awareness of narrative conventions can assist the reading of other Old Testament narratives."
—Dr David G. Firth, Old Testament Tutor, Trinity College Bristol and Research Associate, University of the Free State
"In this compelling study Dr Paul Twiss breaks new ground by exploring how the neglected topic of plot may enrich our comprehension of Genesis 37-50. Highlighting the continuity of the narrative, he reveals how the final section of Genesis centres on the hope of royal deliverer. This is essential reading for anyone seeking to grasp the narrative dynamics of Genesis 37-50."
—Dr T. Desmond Alexander, Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies, Union Theological College, Belfast
Excerpt
Table Of Contents
- Cover
- Title
- Copyright
- About the author
- About the book
- This eBook can be cited
- Contents
- Series Editor’s Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- These are the Generations of the Joseph Story
- Introduction
- Source Criticism and the Documentary Hypothesis
- The Rise of Literary Criticism
- The Response of Source Criticism
- Conclusion
- Prefiguration, Understanding The Narrative World
- Introduction
- Adam and Abraham
- Humankind as Vice-Regents
- Genesis 3 and the Promise of a Seed
- Abraham and the Hope of a Royal Deliverer
- Righteousness, and the Younger Brother
- Structures and the Ancient Near East
- Conclusion
- Configuration, Reading The Plot
- Introduction
- Genesis 37 and 38: A Tale of Two Brothers
- Chapter 37: The Favored Son is Exiled
- Gen 38: The Aspiring Son Matures
- Plot Contribution
- Genesis 39-41: From the Prison to the Palace
- Gen 39: Anticipatory Blessing in Potiphar’s House
- Gen 40: Testing the Favored Son
- Gen 41: Egypt Is Blessed through the Reign of Joseph
- Plot Contribution
- Genesis 42-45: Providential Journeys
- Gen 42: The First Journey
- Gen 43-45: The Second Journey
- Plot Contribution
- Genesis 46-47: The Patriarch Dwells in Egypt
- Gen 46-47: Jacob’s Descent and Narrative Fears
- Plot Contribution
- Genesis 48-50: An Heir Is Appointed
- Gen 48-49: Jacob’s Blessing and Narrative Hopes
- Gen 50: More Lessons to Learn?
- Plot Contribution
- Conclusion
- Refiguration, Shaping The World of the Reader
- Introduction
- Gen 38 and the Reader’s Confession
- Narrative Perspective and Reader-Character Association
- Judah’s Confession as an Invitation for Reader Evaluation
- Joseph’s Testing, Judah’s Speech and the Reader’s Compassion
- Narrative Gaps and Reader-Character Assimilation
- Judah Confronts the Reader
- Jacob’s Testament and the Reader’s Blessing
- Iconic Augmentation and Reader Affirmation
- Conclusion
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Subject Index
- Index of Scripture
Series Editor’s Preface
More than ever the horizons in biblical literature are being expanded beyond that which is immediately imagined; important new methodological, theological, and hermeneutical directions are being explored, often resulting in significant contributions to the world of biblical scholarship. It is an exciting time for the academy as engagement in biblical studies continues to be heightened.
Details
- Pages
- XX, 142
- Publication Year
- 2025
- ISBN (PDF)
- 9781636676197
- ISBN (ePUB)
- 9781636676203
- ISBN (Hardcover)
- 9781636676180
- DOI
- 10.3726/b21138
- Language
- English
- Publication date
- 2024 (December)
- Keywords
- Joseph Narrative Genesis Plot Literary Criticism Source Criticism Ricœur Hebrew narrative Old Testament
- Published
- New York, Berlin, Bruxelles, Chennai, Lausanne, Oxford, 2025. XX, 142 pp.
- Product Safety
- Peter Lang Group AG
