Symmetry of the first half of the Joseph story

chiasm

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

1. a
   Joseph dreams that his family will bow (hištaḥawâ) to him37:2–11brothers see (rāʾâ) him and cannot speak (dibbēr) kindly to him
2. b
   brothers' cruel treatment of Joseph because of his dreams37:12–36they cast him into a pit (bôr), then bring him up from the pit (min-habbôr), strip off his garment of honor; he is sold to Potiphar
3. c
   Tamar languishes in father's house38:1–30her plight is forgotten as she waits in vain for help from one morally obliged (Judah); her fate is intertwined with two men who displeased God; she is falsely accused of sexual immorality by guilty party; theme: putting to death and sparing; in the end she is vindicated, given a family of two sons
4. d
   CENTER: Joseph's integrity and success in Egypt, in the midst of adversity "Yahweh was with Joseph"39:1–23
5. c′
   Joseph languishes in prison40:1–23his plight is forgotten as he waits in vain for help from one morally obliged (cupbearer); his fate is intertwined with two men who displeased pharaoh; he had been falsely accused of sexual immorality by guilty party; theme: putting to death and sparing; (in the end he is vindicated, given a family of two sons as a wife)
6. b′
   pharaoh's kind treatment of Joseph when he interprets his dreams41:1–57Joseph was in a pit (bôr), then Joseph brings him from the pit (min-habbôr), frees him, exalts him, and gives him new garments; he is given the daughter of Potiphera as a wife
7. a′
   Joseph's dream comes true42:1–38his brothers come to Egypt and bow (hištaḥawâ) to him; Joseph sees (rāʾâ) his brothers and speaks (dibbēr) harshly to them