Biblical Parallels Index – Bereshit 12/0
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Biblical Parallels Index – Bereshit 12
Wives and Sisters
Tools
- Makbilot Bamikra points out that Avraham’s claim that Sarah is his sister is parallel to two similar stories, one later in the narrative of of Avraham and Sarah (Bereshit 20) and one in the narrative of Yitzchak and Rivka (Bereshit 26).
Articles
- See Endangering Sarai in Egypt for an exploration of the moral and strategic questions that arise from the behavior of the Patriarchs in this narrative and in the others in which they claim that their wives are their sisters
Avraham and Iyyov
There are a number of parallels between the narratives of Avraham and of Iyyov. Both are exceptionally God-fearing individuals who endure difficult tests.
Primary Sources
Several Rabbininc sources compare Avraham and Iyyov:
- R. Yehuda HaNasi in Tosefta Sotah 6:1 compares Avraham and Iyyov, noting that both characters are described as "יְרֵא אֱ-לֹהִים", but that just as Avraham acted out of a love of God (and not merely fear), so too did Iyyov.
- See Tosefta Bava Kamma 9:11, and Bereshit Rabbah 49:9 for other parallels, and Bavli Bava Batra 15b who notes that Tanakh's praise of Iyyov even surpasses that of Avraham.
Articles
- See Avraham and Iyyov for an exploration of the comparisons and contrasts between the two figures.
- Rav Soloveitchik’s writing on Iyyov in Kol Dodi Dofek accentuates the aspects of Iyyov’s personality that are different from the legacy of Avraham.
Avraham and Bilaam
Primary Sources
- Pirkei Avot 5:19 contrasts the character traits of Avraham and Bilaam. While Avraham was marked by a "good eye", a humble spirit and a lowly soul, Bilaam was known for the opposite qualities.
Articles
- See Balaam: The Prophet and the Consultant by R. Menachem Leibtag for analysis of the parallel and contrasting themes of the stories of Avraham and Bilaam.
