Toledot of Terah

Abraham and the promise of a son

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

1. a
   introduction: journey to Canaan and the promise of descendants12:1–9
2. b
   Abram lies about Sarai in Egypt; God protects her in foreign king's court12:10–20
3. c
   Lot settles in Sodom (and Abram settles in Hebron)13:1–18
4. d
   Abram intercedes for Lot and Sodom militarily14:1–24
5. e
   promise of a son: from Abram himself15:1–21
6. f
   Ishmael's birth: promise to him16:1–16
7. g
   CENTER: Yahweh's covenant: Abram's and Sarai's names changed; circumcision instituted; promise of a son reiterated17:1–21
8. f′
   Ishmael and Abraham circumcised (promise to Ishmael)17:22–27cf. 17:18, 20
9. e′
   promise of a son: from Sarah herself18:1–15
10. d′
    Abraham intercedes for Sodom and Lot in prayer18:16–33
11. c′
    Lot flees Sodom, which God destroys; settles in Moab19:1–38
12. b′
    Abraham lies about Sarah in Gerar; God protects her in foreign king's court20:1–18
13. a′
    conclusion: birth of Isaac (and tension resolved)21:1–7

Isaac

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

Unit d' exhibits no strong link to unit d.

1. a
   Yahweh's choice of the younger son Isaac21:8–19family rift involving elder son Ishmael and younger son Isaac; to protect favored younger son, matriarch proposes that elder son should leave; she appeals to husband; blessing and promise of great progeny given to banished son
2. b
   marriage of nonchosen elder son Ishmael (an archer) to foreign woman21:20–21
3. c
   strife with King Abimelech of Gerar over Abraham's wells21:22–34treaty at Beersheba with Abimelech, involving general Phicol; unlike previous time at Gerar, matriarch is not taken by king; naming of "Beersheba"
4. d
   risking everything for the covenant22:1–19Abraham's willingness to give up everything, even the life of his beloved son, for Yahweh's covenant
5. e
   nonchosen genealogy: family of Nahor22:20–24
6. f
   death of Sarah, Abraham's wife23:1–20her burial in the cave of Machpelah
7. g
   CENTER: Yahweh selects Rebekah as chosen matriarch and Jacob's wife24:1–67
8. f′
   death of Abraham; Abraham's second wife25:1–10his death and burial in the cave of Machpelah
9. e′
   nonchosen genealogy: family of Ishmael25:11–18
10. d′
    scorning the covenant25:19–34Esau's life is more important to him than the covenant; he shows contempt for his birthright (and his part in the covenant?): it is no more important than a bowl of beans: "What do I care? I am about to die!"
11. c′
    strife with King Abimelech of Gerar over Abraham's wells26:1–33treaty at Beersheba with Abimelech, involving general Phicol; like Abraham's first time at Gerar, matriarch is taken by king; naming of "Beersheba"
12. b′
    marriage of nonchosen elder son Esau (an archer) to foreign women26:34–35
13. a′
    Yahweh's choice of the younger son27:1–28:4family rift involving elder son Esau and younger son Jacob; to protect favored younger son, matriarch proposes that younger son should leave; she appeals to husband; blessing and prayer for great progeny given to banished son