Analysis of Chiastic Elements in Patriarchal Narratives in Genesis
Location
Culp Room 219
Start Date
4-6-2022 9:00 AM
End Date
4-6-2022 9:15 AM
Faculty Sponsor’s Department
Literature and Language
Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor
Joshua Reid
Competition Type
Non-Competitive
Type
Boland Symposium
Project's Category
Religious Studies
Abstract or Artist's Statement
Chiastic structures are utilized throughout the entirety of the Bible but are prominently found in the book of Genesis. This paper aims to research the stories of four different patriarchal characters of the Bible to see how chiastic structures are used in these stories. By looking at the stories of Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph in Genesis, I will demonstrate the effectiveness of chiastic structures covering the entirety of the stories, as well as how smaller chiasmi work within each. An appreciation of these chiastic structures deepens our appreciation of the formal structuring of Biblical narratives and the transformational character development arcs of the patriarchs and helps to give insight on the God of the Old Testament.
Analysis of Chiastic Elements in Patriarchal Narratives in Genesis
Culp Room 219
Chiastic structures are utilized throughout the entirety of the Bible but are prominently found in the book of Genesis. This paper aims to research the stories of four different patriarchal characters of the Bible to see how chiastic structures are used in these stories. By looking at the stories of Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph in Genesis, I will demonstrate the effectiveness of chiastic structures covering the entirety of the stories, as well as how smaller chiasmi work within each. An appreciation of these chiastic structures deepens our appreciation of the formal structuring of Biblical narratives and the transformational character development arcs of the patriarchs and helps to give insight on the God of the Old Testament.