Table Of ContentSeeking a Homeland
Biblical Interpretation Series
Editors
R. Alan Culpepper
Ellen van Wolde
Associate Editor
Rolf Rendtorff
Editorial Advisory Board
Janice Capel Anderson – Phyllis A. Bird
Erhard Blum – Werner H. Kelber
Ekkehard W. Stegemann – Vincent L. Wimbush
Jean Zumstein
VOLUME 106
Seeking a Homeland
Sojourn and Ethnic Identity in the
Ancestral Narratives of Genesis
By
Elisabeth Robertson Kennedy
LEIDEN • BOSTON
2011
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Kennedy, Elisabeth Robertson.
Seeking a homeland : sojourn and ethnic identity in the ancestral narratives of
Genesis / by Elisabeth Robertson Kennedy.
p. cm. — (Biblical interpretation series ; 106)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-90-04-19169-3 (hardback : alk. paper) 1. Bible. O.T. Genesis—Criticism,
Narrative. I. Title. II. Series.
BS1235.52.K47 2011
222’.11066—dc22
2010048894
ISSN 0928-0731
ISBN 978 90 04 19169 3
Copyright 2011 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Koninklijke Brill NV incorporates the imprints Brill, Hotei Publishing,
IDC Publishers, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers and VSP.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, translated,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
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Fees are subject to change.
for Darren
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements ............................................................................ ix
Abbreviations ..................................................................................... xi
Introduction: A Place for Sojourn .................................................. 1
Parameters and Method ............................................................... 4
Related Works ................................................................................ 10
Chapter One Theoretical Tools: Anthony D. Smith ................. 21
Ethno-Symbolism .......................................................................... 22
Ethnic Myth ................................................................................... 30
Election ........................................................................................... 33
Territoriality ................................................................................... 35
Sojourn and Ethnic Myth ............................................................ 38
Chapter Two Mapping an Ethnoscape: Sojourn in the
Itinerary Notices ................................................ 41
Sojourn in Egypt (12:10) .............................................................. 47
Sojourn in Gerar (20:1; 21:34) .................................................... 60
Sojourn in Paddan-aram (36:27; 36:7; 37:1) ............................. 66
Conclusions .................................................................................... 74
Chapter Three Bolstering Ethnic Election: Sojourn in the
Promise Speeches .............................................. 77
Genesis 15:13 .................................................................................. 78
Genesis 17:8 .................................................................................... 88
Genesis 26:3 .................................................................................... 98
Genesis 28:4 .................................................................................... 120
Conclusions .................................................................................... 138
Chapter Four Constructing Relational Ethics: Sojourn in the
Dialogues .............................................................. 141
Genesis 19:9 .................................................................................... 142
Genesis 21:23 .................................................................................. 171
Genesis 23:4 .................................................................................... 188
Genesis 32:5 .................................................................................... 200
viii contents
Genesis 47: 4, 9 .............................................................................. 217
Conclusions .................................................................................... 230
Chapter Five Conclusions: Journeying On ................................ 233
Trajectories for Reflection ........................................................... 238
Bibliography ........................................................................................ 243
Index of Names .................................................................................. 257
Index of Subjects ................................................................................ 263
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Writing about sojourn has been an experiential process for me, as
I traveled between three countries during the years of my PhD studies.
I was privileged to be a part of scholarly communities in Edinburgh,
Cairo, and Princeton, where the support of many kind individuals
transformed both my actual sojourn and my writing about it into posi-
tive, meaningful experiences.
I was blessed with a superb supervisor for my doctoral work at the
University of Edinburgh. David Reimer offered me sensitive and wise
guidance, meticulous attention to detail, steady encouragement, gentle
challenging, many cups of tea, and countless hours of his time. His
efforts went far beyond the call of duty. David’s most lasting impact
on me, however, comes through his modeling in every encounter the
character of a Christian scholar. His influence on my formation as a
person of faith has been as significant for me as his role in guiding my
work. I am deeply privileged to have been his student.
The faculty of New College offered warm support at all stages of my
studies. Hans Barstad and Timothy Lim graciously took time to inter-
act with my work at key stages. Christoph Bultmann kindly offered
his expertise during a stay at New College. The external examiner
for my thesis, Gordon Wenham, offered valuable corrections to the
final product. Any shortcomings that remain in my work are entirely
my own.
I am thankful for the strong support of the New College student
community. Denise and Dwight Friesen, Erin and Chris Keith, and
Beverly and Shawn White graciously hosted me in their homes during
my later visits to Edinburgh. Marya and Jason Curtis helped resolve
troubling logistics. Denise Friesen’s friendship was a daily gift. Con-
versations with Olivia Kew-Fickus, begun when we were undergradu-
ates, continued to weave through the fabric of my life and thought.
In Cairo, my colleagues at the Evangelical Theological Seminary
blessed me with their patience and encouragement during my leave
from teaching. I owe special thanks to Atef Gendy and Victor Makari
for continued advocacy on my behalf.
At Princeton Theological Seminary, Ross Wagner and Christo-
pher Holmes frequently saved the day by helping me access sources
