1. The Major Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph Narratives dating from (most likely) 2000-1200 BC On Haran, see Gen. 12 and 24 Hebrews (Abraham’s people) and Arameans descended from Amorites?

2. “Patriarchal” Society Mix of pastoral nomadism and settled cultivation Importance of (extended) family with patriarch at head Arranged marriages, concerns with procreation and purity of family line

3. “Patriarchal” Religion Patron deity of clan in contractual relationship with patriarch Gen. 15 echoing ancient covenant tradition Circumcision possibly inherited from Egyptian practice (since 3rd millennium BC)?

4. Theophanies = visual or auditory manifestations of a deity - parallels in Canaanite mythology

5. Abraham’s Religion Gen. 12: 1-3: Foretelling election of a people who will gain stature and influence on earth. Free gift! Gen. 15 (J) and 17 (P): God entering contractual relationship with Abraham, obliging self to fulfill promise. In Gen. 17, circumcision as physical sign of subscription to agreement. Abraham must have faith in God’s promise and travel to unknown land

6. Obstacles Remaining narrative portraying tension btw. threats to God’s promise and God’s actions to safeguard it: Sarah’s barrenness; Abraham and Sarah’s doubts Sarah twice ending up in harems (pharaoh, Abimelech of Gerar) Frictions with Lot and Hagar

7. Lot’s story (Gen. 13: 1-13, 14: 12-16 and 19): Source of aetiologies Contrast to Abraham Abraham’s bargaining over Sodom (Gen. 18: 16-33) Hagar and Ishmael’s story (Gen. 16: 1-16, 17: 23-27, 21: 8-21 and 25: 9)