The promise narratives in Genesis : part 2

Abstract

In this cycle or group of narratives there are to be included those narrative-units which have Jacob as their central figure. It is not easy at times to make a choice since, as in the case of the Isaac-cycle, Jacob's story is intertwined with that of Joseph on whom the interest in definitely shifted from chapter 37 onwards. This section includes therefore no less than ten narratives: Jacob migrates into Haran (2B, 10-22); He meets, Rachel (29.1-14); He marries Rachel and Lia (29, 15-30, 14); Increase of Jacob's herds (30.25-43); Jacob returns to Canaan and strikes a pact with Laban (31. I-55) Meeting of Jacob and Esau (32, 1·33-16); Jacob settles in central Canaan (33, 17·20); Violation of Dinah (34, 1-31); Jacob returns to Bethel (35, 1.15); The patriarch moves to Bethlehem (35, 16-26).