Literary Structures of Genesis

Parallel Structure of Primeval History
Act 1:
A. Waters of Chaos at Creation
B. Blessing on humans
C. Fertility of animals
D. Fertility of humans
E. Dominion over creation
F. A garden planted with tree
G. Awareness of nakedness
H. Covering/concealment of nakedness
I. The acquisition of knowledge
J. Uttering of curses
K. Changed relational status: the man/woman
L. Population of Adam’s family
M. Trouble: Violence and corruption/Nephilim
N. Chaos: The Flood
O. Noah and his sons

Act 2:
A. Waters of Chaos at The Flood
B. Blessing on Noah and his sons
C. Fertility of animals
D. Fertility of Noah and his sons
E. Dominion over creation
F. A vineyard planted
G. Awareness of nakedness
H. Covering/concealment of nakedness
I. The acquisition of knowledge
J. Uttering of a curse
K. Changed relational status: Ham and his brothers
L. Population of Noah’s family
M. Trouble: Tower and city
N. Chaos: Language/dispersion
O. Sons of Shem/Terah/Abram


Chiastic Structure of Abrahamic Narrative

A. Intro: Journey to Canaan, promise of descendants

     B. Abram lies about Sarah in Egypt, God protects her

          C. Lot settles in Sodom

               D. Abram intercedes for Lot and Sodom, militarily

                    E. God says Abram and Sarai will have a son

                         F. Ishmael is born and blessed by God

                             G. Center: Yahweh’s Covenant – Abram and Sarai’s names changed

                         F'. Ishmael is circumcised and blessed by God

                    E'. God says Abraham and Sarah will have a son

               D'. Abraham intercedes for Sodom and Lot, in prayer

          C'. Lot flees Sodom

     B'. Abraham lies about Sarah in Gerar, God protects her

A'. Conclusion: Birth of Isaac 

Chiastic Structure of Isaac narrative

A. Abraham desires blessing for Ishmael, Sarah desires blessing for Isaac
     B. First son (Ishmael) becomes wilderness wanderer, second son (Isaac) stays in tents
          C. God’s reassuring promise: Two sons/two nations
               D. God speaks to Abraham
                    E. Isaac carries burden/wood for his own sacrifice/death sentence
                         F. God preserves line of Abraham/spares Isaac’s life
                              G. Nahor’s descendants
                                   H. Death and burial of Sarah
                                         I. Isaac marries Rebekah
                                   H'. Death and burial of Abraham
                              G'. Ishmael’s descendants
                         F'. God preserves line of Abraham/opens Rebekah’s barren womb
                    E'. Rebekah carries burden/pregnancy complications/death sentence
                D'. God speaks to Rebekah
           C'. God’s promise: Two sons/two nations
     B'. First son (Esau) goes out to the wilderness, second son (Jacob) stays in tents
A'. Isaac desires blessing for Esau, Rebekah desires blessing for Jacob


Chiastic Structure of Jacob Narrative

A. Naming of Jacob
     B. Esau Despises and casts off his Birthright
          C. Abimelech, Isaac’s conflict with the Philistines, wells violated, peaceful resolution
               D. Jacob is blessed and incites Esau to Murder
                    E. Vision of God at Bethel
                         F. Jacob vs. Laban
                              G. Leah vs. Rachel
                                   H. God opens Rachel’s womb – birth of Joseph
                              G'. Speckled vs. White Goats
                         F'. Jacob vs. Laban
                    E'. Vision of God at Peniel
               D'. Esau turns from his anger and Jacob blesses Esau
          C'. Dinah, Jacob’s conflict with Shechem, daughter violated, violent resolution
     B'. Jacob despises and casts off the idols
A'. Renaming of Jacob


Parallel Arrangement of Joseph’s Story
1A. Trouble with brothers: Joseph’s brothers hate him
1B. Trouble with brothers: Joseph’s brothers get rid of him

2A. Sexual temptation story: Tamar successfully seduces Judah
2B. Sexual temptation story: Potiphar’s wife unsuccessfully tries to seduce Joseph

3A. Joseph interprets two dreams: dreams of two prison mates
3B. Joseph interprets two dreams: dreams of Pharaoh

4A. Brothers come to Egypt for food: they bow to Joseph, Joseph fills sacks with grain and money, Reuben offers his sons as surety for Benjamin
4B. Brothers come to Egypt for food: they bow to Joseph, Joseph fills sacks with grain and money, Judah offers himself as surety for Benjamin

5A. Joseph calls for his family: includes only his brothers, they weep and have joyful reunion
5B. Joseph calls for his family: includes his brothers, their families, and his father, they weep and have joyful reunion

6A. Prospering in Egypt: Joseph prospers in his rule over all Egypt, Joseph is a blessing to the Egyptians
6B. Prospering in Egypt: Joseph’s family prospers and flourishes, Jacob blesses his sons

7A. Death of Patriarch: Jacob dies
7B. Death of Patriarch: Joseph dies