Session 2-Joseph-The Thematic Melody of the Hebrew Bible-Module 1

Session 2: The Thematic Melody of the Hebrew Bible

Key Takeaways Like a symphony, the Hebrew Bible introduces readers to a pattern of key themes in its opening chapters, setting a template for the rest of the collection. The biblical authors structure Yoseph’s story around the pattern of themes from Genesis 1-11 by repeating the sequence of events and by repeating key vocabulary to signal this connection.

These thematic cycles set up a narrative pattern, a thematic melody, that re-cycles with each generation, developing and advancing the melody. The basic melody goes like this. .

Creation and blessing

God brings order/life/blessing out of chaos/waters/death/curse. Key words Life, blessing, create, establish, seed, sprout, grow, fruit, fruitful, multiply Seven, fullness, oath (all spelled עבש ) Key images: dry land, refuge, safety, order .

Folly, test, and failure (a.k.a. “the foolish fall”)

God invites a chosen human partner to share in the order/life/blessing, which places a decision/test of their trustworthiness on the table. God’s chosen partner fails/succeeds the test, usually involving deception/division/violence. The same person/next generation faces their own opportunity and test and fails/succeeds, usually involving an intensified expression of deception/division/violence. The escalating sequence of tests and failures leads to a separation between the key characters so that one person or family splits off from the rest and is chosen by God for a new future. Key words found in Genesis 2-3, 4-5, 6:1-4. .

De-creation and re-creation

De-creation: God brings about an inversion of #1 above, usually an escalation of chaos/death/curse. Out of that de-creation, God chooses/preserves a remnant/seed and begins a new movement of re-creation through them, often marked by covenants and wordplays on the Hebrew root עבש , “seven/fullness/oath” or “covenant” ( תירב ). Key words found in Genesis 6:5-9:17. 

Reflection Question

In what ways do you see Yoseph’s story replaying events from the early chapters of Genesis?De-creation and re-creation