Ishmael and Isaac: Contradicted brotherhood in the story of Genesis
Wénin, André
Ishmael and Isaac: Contradicted brotherhood in the story of Genesis - 2015.
64
The relationship between Abraham’s two sons is but outlined in Genesis. Nevertheless, when we approach the text from a narrative point of view, discreet clues suggest to the reader that Isaac experiences nostalgia for a sibling relationship he could not establish with Ishmael. The dismissal of this son is due to the jealousy of Sarah (21,8-21) that reaches back to the circumstances of his birth (16,1-16). It takes place even though Yhwh has created conditions to make a real brotherhood with Isaac possible (17,19-21). In the last analysis, however, the reason of this failure does not lie only in Sarah herself but also in her difficult relationship with Abraham, whose consequences are transferred to the following generations.
Ishmael and Isaac: Contradicted brotherhood in the story of Genesis - 2015.
64
The relationship between Abraham’s two sons is but outlined in Genesis. Nevertheless, when we approach the text from a narrative point of view, discreet clues suggest to the reader that Isaac experiences nostalgia for a sibling relationship he could not establish with Ishmael. The dismissal of this son is due to the jealousy of Sarah (21,8-21) that reaches back to the circumstances of his birth (16,1-16). It takes place even though Yhwh has created conditions to make a real brotherhood with Isaac possible (17,19-21). In the last analysis, however, the reason of this failure does not lie only in Sarah herself but also in her difficult relationship with Abraham, whose consequences are transferred to the following generations.
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