Through this lesson the student will learn to interpret the stories of Jacob, Esau, and Laban in light of the social-literary role of their characters.

Bible: Genesis 25:19 - 31:55.

Bellis, Helpmates, Harlots, and Heroes, pp. 80-90

Lecture: Jacob, Esau, and Laban

Handouts: Observations on Kinship and Marriage, Women in the Mediterranean

Interpret the story of Jacob stealing Esau's blessing in Genesis 27:1-45.

Your essay should focus on the social and literary role of the characters in the story, and how understanding this role contributes to the meaning of the story. You should thus begin to plan your essay by explaining the social features of the text, and how they might contribute to the meaning of the story. For example, why does Jacob follow his mother's demands? Why does Rebekah want Jacob to receive the blessing and not Esau? Why does Rebekah resort to deception rather than discuss the problem with Isaac?

You should analyze the plot of the story: What is the point of the story? How do the literary characters make this point? Who is the subject of the action in the story? Who benefits (the receiver) from the action?

Finally, you should explain how this story fits within the larger context of the narrative: How is this story transformed by the Priestly version in Genesis 26:34-35 and 27:46-28:10? How does this story contribute to the meaning of the entire narrative of Isaac, Jacob, and Esau?

How do the stories of Isaac mirror the stories of Abraham? How do they differ?

What is the literary and social function of Jacob's relationship with Esau? with Laban?

What is the main purpose of this stories? How does their emphasis differ from the earlier stories of Abraham? How do these stories further develop the theme of the promise?

Other questions for discussion are raised in the lecture.

Naomi Steinberg. Kinship and Marriage in Genesis: A Household Economics Perspective. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1993. Pp. 87-114.

Frederick E. Greenspahn. When Brothers Dwell Together: The Preeminence of Younger Siblings in the Hebrew Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994.