Brotherhood and Inheritance: A Canonical Reading of the Esau and Edom Traditions

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Description

This study offers a canonical reading of the Esau and Edom traditions, examining the portrayal of Esau and Edom in Genesis, Deuteronomy, and the prophetic material. First, it is argued that the depiction of Esau and his descendants in Genesis and Deuteronomy is, on the whole, positive. Second, it is put forward that Edom is portrayed negatively by the prophets for violating their kin, and for disrespecting the divine apportioning of the lands. Finally, it is suggested that these traditions have resonance with one another based on recurring literary and theological motifs, heuristically framed as brotherhood and inheritance.

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Brotherhood and Inheritance is a commendable and original theological study on the interpretations surrounding the tradition of Esau and Edom; in various ways, it also goes beyond that, asking valid questions concerning literary motifssuch as election, possession, land, and blessingthat permeate an important part of the literature of the ancient Near East.The author should be credited for the amount of scholarship involved, as well as for providing readers with a thorough textual study. Finally, as is usually the case with volumes in the LHBOTS series, the book has been meticulously and satisfactorily edited. -- Juan Manuel Tebes, Argentine Catholic University, University of Buenos Aires, National Research Council * Journal of Hebrew Scriptures *

Author Bio

Bradford A. Anderson is Lecturer in Biblical Studies at Mater Dei Institute, Dublin City University, Ireland.