The Forsaken First-born: A Study of a Recurrent Motif in the Patriarchal NarrativesThis provocative book combines literary and historical methods to examine the phenomenon of the 'forsaken firstborn' in Genesis. The dignity of the firstborn sons of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph-Ishmael, Esau, Reuben and Manasseh-is disregarded in the narrative and the rights inherent in their status are taken from them and conferred on a younger brother. One might easily compare this with the motif in many folktales of the youngest son outdoing his elder brothers in cleverness and skill. But unlike the folklore motif, in the book of Genesis the younger brother's success is not due to any courageous deed or heroic feat on his own part. Instead the displacement of the elder by the younger is usually the result of somebody else's initiative and achievement. |
Other editions - View all
The Forsaken Firstborn: A Study of a Recurrent Motif in the Patriarchal ... Roger Syrén Limited preview - 1992 |
The Forsaken First-born: A Study of a Recurrent Motif in the Patriarchal ... Roger Syrén No preview available - 1993 |
The Forsaken Firstborn: A Study of a Recurrent Motif in the Patriarchal ... Roger Syrén No preview available - 2009 |
Common terms and phrases
Abraham according addition already answer appears attitude become beginning biblical birth blessing Blum brothers chapter character circumcision clear clearly command common complex composition concerning concludes context contrast covenant criticism descendants Deut earlier Edom Edomites element Esau Esau's example explain Ezra fact father final first-born Fokkelman foreign genealogies Genesis given gives God's groups Gunkel Hagar hand important individual intended interpretation Isaac Ishmael Israel Israelite Jacob Joseph Judah land later literary lived Lord material means mention motif Narrative Old Testament original parallel passage patriarchal Poetics position present probably promise question reaction receives refers reflect relation represent Reuben Sarah saying seems separation shows similar sons sources speech status story structure Studies suggests taken texts theological tradition tribes understanding unit Verse Westermann whole Yahweh