J’s Problem with the East: Observations on the So-Called Yahwistic Texts in Genesis 1–25

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_7491029D7116
Type
A part of a book
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
J’s Problem with the East: Observations on the So-Called Yahwistic Texts in Genesis 1–25
Title of the book
Social Groups behind the Pentateuch
Author(s)
Hutzli Jürg
Publisher
SBL Press
Publication state
Published
Issued date
16/01/2022
Language
english
Abstract
The cardinal direction east appears often in the book of Genesis, much more so than in other biblical books. 1 The east serves as a place of intrigue for the story in Gen 2:4b-3:24, the narrative of Jacob and Laban, and probably also the story of the tower of Babel. Furthermore, the east often appears as the position of a main protagonist: the cherubim and the fiery ever-turning sword guarding the tree of life are situated at the east of the garden of Eden, and Cain, too, lives east of Eden. Lot chooses the region of the plain and the city of Sodom, located in the east, as a place to live. Finally, Abraham sends all of his sons borne by concubines to the east, away from his favorite son, Isaac. How can one explain this concentration of references to the cardinal direction east in the book of Genesis? Analysis of all these texts will reveal different if not contradictory images and appraisals of the east. One reason for the great number of texts mentioning the east seems to be the disagreement between the biblical authors on this point. This article seeks to clarify what is at stake in this disagreement and the role the latter played in the process of the formation of the primeval history and the Abraham narrative.
Create date
07/02/2022 14:53
Last modification date
03/04/2022 6:35
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