Brotherhood and Inheritance

A Canonical Reading of the Esau and Edom Traditions

Bradford A. Anderson

• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN:
  9780567103819
• eBook ISBN:
  9780567368256
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Commentary

This study offers a canonical reading of the Esau and Edom traditions, examining the portrayal of Esau and Edom in Genesis, Deuteronomy, and the prophetic material. First, it is argued that the depiction of Esau and his descendants in Genesis and Deuteronomy is, on the whole, positive. Second, it is put forward that Edom is portrayed negatively by the prophets for violating their kin, and for disrespecting the divine apportioning of the lands. Finally, it is suggested that these traditions have resonance with one another based on recurring literary and theological motifs, heuristically framed as brotherhood and inheritance.

Table of contents

• CONTENTS
• Acknowledgments
• Abbreviations
• Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION
• Chapter 2. ESAU AND EDOM IN THE HISTORY OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION
• 1. Interpretation of Esau in Genesis
• 2. Depiction of Edom in the Prophets
• 3. Esau and Edom: The Relationship of the Traditions
• Chapter 3. BEGINNINGS: ORACLE, BIRTH, AND BIRTHRIGHT (GENESIS 25:19–34)
• 1. Esau in Genesis: Preliminary Issues
• 2. Introduction to Genesis 25:19–34
• 3. Pre-Birth Events (Genesis 25:19–23)
• 4. The Birth (Genesis 25:24–26)
• 5. The Birthright (Genesis 25:27–34)
• 6. Beginnings: Preliminary Conclusions
• Chapter 4. GENESIS 27: THE BLESSING OF JACOB AND ESAU
• 1. Introduction
• 2. History of Interpretation
• 3. Grammatical and Syntactical Issues
• 4. Contextual Issues
• 5. Sibling Blessings in the Ancestral Narratives
• 6. The Nature and Source of the Blessings
• 7. Genesis 27: Preliminary Conclusions
• Excursus: Birthright and Blessing
• Chapter 5. GENESIS 32–33: THE REUNION OF JACOB AND ESAU
• 1. Introduction
• 2. The Preparation (Genesis 32)
• 3. The Reunion (Genesis 33:1–11)
• 4. The Separation (Genesis 33:12–20)
• 5. Genesis 32–33: Preliminary Conclusions
• Chapter 6. GENESIS 36: THE GENEALOGY OF ESAU
• 1. Introduction
• 2. The Form and Function of Genesis 36
• 3. Key Elements in Genesis 36
• 4. Purpose of Genesis 36
• 5. Genesis 36: Preliminary Conclusions
• Excursus: Esau’s Wives
• Chapter 7. ESAU IN GENESIS: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
• Chapter 8. DEUTERONOMY’S PORTRAYAL OF THE SONS OF ESAU AND THE EDOMITES
• 1. Introduction
• 2. Deuteronomy 2: Brotherhood and Possession of the Land
• 3. Deuteronomy 23:8–9: Edom and the qhl yhwh
• 4. The Sons of Esau and Edom in Deuteronomy: Summary and Conclusions
• Chapter 9. EDOM IN OBADIAH AND THE PROPHETS
• 1. Introduction
• 2. Obadiah: The History of Its Interpretation
• 3. Brotherhood and the Land in Obadiah
• Excursus: Edom—A “Type” for All Nations?
• 4. Edom’s Brotherhood and Inheritance in the Prophetic Tradition
• 5. Edom in Obadiah and the Prophets: Summary and Conclusions
• Chapter 10. ESAU AND EDOM IN MALACHI 1:2–5
• 1. Introduction
• 2. Pre-modern Interpretation
• 3. Contemporary Reading Strategies
• 4. Making Sense of Malachi 1:2–5
• 5. Malachi 1:2–5: Preliminary Conclusions
• Chapter 11. EDOM IN THE PROPHETIC CORPUS: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
• Chapter 12. CONCLUSION: THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE ESAU AND EDOM TRADITIONS AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR ELECTION THEOLOGY
• 1. The Relationship of the Traditions
• 2. Implications for Election Theology
• Bibliography
• Index of References
• Index of Authors