genesis review

Joseph

Son of Jacob (Israel) and Rachel (her firstborn). He is favored by his father and given an ornamented robe as a symbol of this. His father sends him to check on his brothers in a faraway pasture and, after conspiring to kill him by throwing him in a pit and leaving him for wild animals, they instead decide to sell him into slavery.

Reuben

Tried to defend Joseph when his brothers wanted to kill him for being their father's favorite and ended up being tricked that Joseph was killed by a wild animal in the pit.

Potiphar

One of Pharoah's officials who bought Joseph.

Edom

Descendants of Esau

Esau

Twin brother of Jacob. Narrowly the firstborn. Has his birthright and blessing stolen by Jacob. Characterized by his impulsive nature because he sold his birthright to Jacob for lentil soup.

Jacob

Twin brother of Esau. A "striver" according to the lecturers. Fights against both God and man. This is reflected in his character from birth in actions such as wrestling with Esau to try to be the firstborn, tricking Laban into giving up the lion's share of his livestock, as well as striving against God.

Joseph

Has a dream about greatness (being a ruler). Tells his brothers and it is laughed off. His father doesn't take it seriously but pays attention. After he is sold into slavery, he finds favor with his master and is entrusted with much of his wealth, but after being falsely accused of harassment by Potiphar's wife, he is thrown in jail, where he finds favor with the jailer and has power over the other inmates. Wherever he goes, he finds favor and prospers, regardless of circumstance.

Laban

Brother of Rebekah and father of Leah and Rachel. Agrees to trade his youngest daughter, Rachel, to Jacob in return for 7 years of labor, but switches her for Leah at the last minute, saying that they do not give up the younger before the older daughter. Could be perceived as an agent of justice or a restoring force, punishing Jacob for similar trickery.

Jacob

Tricked his father, Isaac, into thinking he was his brother and thereby attained his blessing.

Hagar

Maid who bore Abraham's children when Sarah could not. Ran away from Sarah after being beaten for giving a contemptuous look. Was visited by the angel of the Lord and told to return to Sarah and submit and that he would multiply her lineage. Lord names her son Ishmael in this visit. She named God El-Roi (the God who sees) and is surprised she lived through an encounter with him.

Ishmael

Son of Abraham and Hagar. He was prophesied by the angel of the Lord to be "a wild ass of a man", constantly in conflict with those around him.

Lot

Left Sodom and Gomorrah during its destruction. Regarded for his moral integrity during this time. Newphew of Abraham

Tower of Babel

A tower said to "reach to the Heavens" (maybe not literally). It could be said that it represents both the pride and defiance of humanity (if it is truly an attempt to reach the heavens) and the center of civilization, which the lecturers presented as the primary offense to God ("muddling the categories"). Its construction and the close proximity of civilization around it went against God's will for the people to spread out throughout the Earth. By confusing the languages of the people, God then dispersed them across the Earth and created many separate cultures.

Cain

Adam and Eve's first son and murderer of his brother, Abel. Envied his brother because God found favor with his brother's offering but not his own.

Abel

Adam and Eve's second son. Murdered by his brother Cain. One in a great many younger sons who seems to be favored by God over the older one. In this way, perhaps the theme of "the mighty meek" (power and righteousness lying in the hands of the servant, the lowly, rather than the firstborn or the king) is established in the Bible.

Tamar

Daughter-in-law of Judah. She is married to two of his sons but they both die. She then disguises herself as a prostitute and propositions Judah to sleep with her. He promises her a kid for payment and gives her his staff, signet and cord as a pledge until it can be delivered. She bears his children, Perez and Zerah.

Perez

Son of Judah and Tamar. Marked with a crimson thread but ended up retracting his hand before being born oldest.

Zerah

Oldest son of Judah and Tamar (Perez was going to be oldest and is marked with a crimson thread but then he retracted his hand and Zerah ended up arriving first)

Potiphar's wife

Falsely accuses Joseph of sexual harassment, has Joseph thrown in jail, where he still finds favor among those around him.

Pharoah's dreams

Seven lean cows ate seven fat cows; seven skinny ears of corn ate seven fat ears of corn. Could not be interpreted by any of the wise men in the land. The cupbearer then remembers Joseph from prison and Joseph is called out. He prophesies 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine. He suggests storing up grain during the 7 plentiful years and Pharoah appoints him to do this; in fact, Pharoah gives him great power. He attributes the accuracy of his prophecy to God.

Joseph's brothers go to Egypt

They go looking for grain during the 7 years of famine and are instructed to talk to Joseph (who they do not know or recognize). Joseph recognizes them but hides this and speaks to them through an interpreter. He requests they leave and return with their youngest brother (Benjamin) to prove that they are not spies. They leave to fetch Benjamin and, upon their return, find their money still in their bag with the grain. Jacob at first refuses, but then reluctantly accepts the brothers' proposition to take Benjamin with them.

Benjamin

Youngest son of Jacob. His portion is 5x as large at the dinner in Egypt with Joseph and his other brothers (favored by Joseph). He was detained after Joseph made it appear he stole a silver cup from him.

Ephraim

Joseph's youngest son, blessed by Israel right before his death and prophesied by Israel to be greater than his older brother Manasseh.

Manasseh

Ephraim's brother, son of Joseph. Older than Ephraim but prophesied to be blessed but less greatly so than his younger brother

Covenant with Noah

Agreement between God and Noah in which God unconditionally promises to never destroy the Earth with a flood again. The rainbow is a symbol of this and will "remind God of the covenant" (paraphrased)

Covenant with Abraham

God's promise to Abraham that he will give him and his descendants land, offspring and blessings. Lays the foundation for the people of Israel as God's chosen ones. God requires circumcision (a lifelong commitment) in return and promises that Sarah, previously unable to bear children, will bear Isaac at a late age, who will also be blessed by God.

Bilhah

Maidservant of Rachel who gave birth to Dan and Naphtali by Jacob.

Isaac

Son of Abraham and Sarah. He was born when they were very old. Although Isaac was not Abraham's first son, he was the firstborn of Sarah, Abraham's wife, making Isaac the heir to God's promises. His birth represents the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham.

Rebekah

Wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau. God finds her to prevent Isaac from reproducing with the Canaanites.

Dinah

Jacob's daughter who was raped by a man from Shechem. They then promise the man can marry her if the Shechemite's whole family will get circumcised; they oblige. While healing, they are attacked and killed.

Judah

Son of Jacob and Leah. Offers to sacrifice himself and become a slave for Benjamin's sake after Benjamin is framed to look like he had stolen a silver cup from Joseph. Joseph then reveals his identity.