Lecture 6. Biblical Narrative: The Stories of the Patriarchs (Genesis 12-36)

Introduction to the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) (RLST 145) with Christine Hayes

This lecture continues with a review of scholarly views on the historical accuracy of the Bible. The narratives of the patriarchs and matriarchs are introduced and the covenant between Abraham and God--which ultimately leads to the formation of a nation--is explained. Central themes of the patriarchal stories include: God's call to Abraham, God's promise of a blessed and fruitful nation, threats to this promise (including the story of the binding of Isaac for sacrifice). Finally, after a significant character transformation, the third patriarch Jacob becomes Yisrael ("he who struggles with God").

00:00 - Chapter 1. Scholarly Opinion on the Historical Accuracy of the Bible
13:05 - Chapter 2. Divine Command and Divine Promise: Truths Freed from the Burden of Historicity
20:06 - Chapter 3. The Covenant between God and Abraham
25:38 - Chapter 4. The Story of Isaac
39:12 - chapter 5. Jacob the Trickster

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://oyc.yale.edu

This course was recorded in Fall 2006.