The Portrait of Isaac in Genesis 27: Between Synchronic and Diachronic Readings of Patriarch’s Character

• Authors: Anna Rozonoer

Abstracts

EN

Modern critical reception characterizes patriarch Isaac as a particular character type: the schlemiel. This article provides a tour through the cumulative evidence for this comedic read, focusing on Genesis 27, the blessing of Jacob. It provides a revised narratological and literary context, arguing that Isaac’s fivefold questioning demonstrates not confusion, but awareness: he knows exactly which son is in front of him. The paper presents an alternative narratological and literary context for Isaac, framing his questions in terms of the editing process: a synchronic reading of Isaac’s acumen is corroborated by evidence from diachronic reading. The redaction history of the Isaac material in chapter 26 yields a number of points suggesting the dependence of the Abraham material on the Isaac narrative. A number of features indicate a stronger, less subordinate Isaac figure based on the earlier tradition revealed by a complex transmission history than the image arising from the mainstream synchronic reading of chapter 27 seems to depict.

Keywords

EN

biblical interpretation; patriarchal narratives; history of reception; Isaac

• Publisher: Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II
• Journal: Verbum Vitae
• Year: 2022
• Volume: 40
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 375-385

Dates

published

2022

Contributors

author

Anna Rozonoer

• Hellenic College, Boston, MA

• https://orcid.org/0000000216702782

References

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Identifiers

DOI

10.31743/vv.13351

Biblioteka Nauki

2088013