Biblical Parallels Index – Bereshit 21/0
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Biblical Parallels Index – Bereshit 21
The Two Banishments of Hagar
It is difficult to understand the story of the banishment of Hagar and Yishmael in Bereshit 21 without comparing it to the parallel narrative about Hagar in Bereshit 16.
Tools
- Use the Tanakh Lab to compare the two stories. There are not as many linguistic parallels as one might have expected given the similar content of the stories. One surprising parallel is the repeated motif of "eyes" in both narratives.
Articles
- See Sarah's Treatment of Hagar for an analysis of the morality of Sarah’s actions in Bereshit 16. The article notes that while most commentators believe that Sarah’s behavior was appropriate (finding support in the angel’s instructions to Hagar to return to Sarah), some suggest that Sarah behaved too harshly toward Hagar and even that her descendants were punished as a result.
- See Banishment of Hagar and Yishmael for analysis of the motivation and morality of Sarah’s actions in Bereshit 21. The article examines various commentators' evaluations of Sarah's deed. Most commentators believe that Yishmael behaved immorally and Sarah’s banishment of him was therefore justified. Ralbag and Abarbanel suggest that Sarah was motivated by the need to protect Yitzchak’s place as Avraham’s heir, while R. Avraham Saba is unique in finding fault with Sarah’s actions.
Akeidat Yitzchak and Yishmael
There are many points of comparison and contrast between the stories of the expulsion of Yishmael and Akeidat Yitzchak. In fact, Tanakh Lab1 reveals that one of the chapters which is most linguistically similar to Bereshit 21 is Bereshit 22.
Tools
- Use the Tanakh Lab to compare the two stories and find linguistic similarities here.
Articles
- See עקדת ישמעאל : חוויה מכוננת אחת, by Prof. Uriel Simon, for a discussion of how the banishment of Yishmael was in essence also an "Akeidah", with Avraham being asked to sacrifice both of his sons.
- For an exploration of the parallels and differences, see Vayera: Akedat Yishmael by R. Michael Hattin.
- For analysis of how the two narratives reflect different approaches to challenge, see But My Covenant I will Establish with Yitzhak by R. Chanoch Waxman.
