Biblical Parallels Index – Bereshit 37/0

Biblical Parallels Index – Bereshit 37

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Tension Between Brothers

The story of the sale of Yosef is the climax of stories of animosity between brothers in Sefer Bereshit.

Tools

• Makbilot Bamikra points out that the brothers’ plan to kill Yosef in Bereshit 37:19-21 parallels Esav’s expressed intent to kill Yaakov in Bereshit 27:41.
• Tanakh Lab – Compare the linguistic parallels between the two stories in the Tanakh Lab. The parallel language of  "לְאַחֶיךָ וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְךָ" / "וְאַחֶיךָ לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺת לְךָ" might hint to what lies at the heart of the various stories of jealousy throughout the book - struggles over who will be the "chosen" one, to whom others will bow and pay homage.

Articles  / Lectures

• In קנאת אחים בספר בראשית, R. Shlomo Brin explores the pattern of jealousy between brothers in Sefer Bereshit, beginning with the narrative of Kayin and Hevel.
• See וישב: מרבית אחים by Dr. Esti Rosenberg and Dr. Yosefa Wruble for a discussion of the meaning behind the tense relationships between brothers in Sefer Bereshit, culminating in the relationship of Yosef and his brothers.

Yosef and Tamar

Yosef and David's daughter Tamar are both victims of violence by their brothers. 

Tools

• Tanakh Lab – The Tanakh Lab¹ shows that the chapter that is the second most linguistically similar to the story of Yosef's sale is Shemuel II 13, the story of Amnon's rape of Tamar and Avshalom's avenging of the act. See here to compare the two chapters.²

Articles

• See "Amnon and Tamar: A Case Sturdy in Allusions" by R. Robert Klapper, Gavi Posner, and Mordy Freidman in Nahalah I for a comparison of the various stories that might be alluded to in Shemuel I 13, including the rape of Dinah in Bereshit 34, the sale of Yosef in Bereshit 37and the the story of Yehuda and Tamar in Bereshit 38.
• See Yaakov and David for an exploration of both the plot parallels and linguistic similarities in the stories of these two figures, including their reactions to the tragedies that befall their children.

Yosef and David

Tools

• Use the Tanakh Lab to compare the linguistic parallels between the story of Yosef being sent to check on his brothers in Bereshit 37, with David's being sent to check on his brothers in Shemuel I 17.

Articles

• In המסרים שבסיפור שליחות יוסף לאחיו בשכם ושליחות דוד אל אחיו אל המחנה, Professor Yonatan Grossman explores the parallels and differences between the stories of Yosef’s and David’s missions to check on their brothers, and how these missions equip Yosef and David for leadership.

Avraham and Yaakov

One of the many parallels between the lives of Avraham and Yaakov is their experiences of losing or potentially losing children, as takes place in this chapter

Tools

• Concordance – Using the concordance highlights how there are several phrases that are unique to the Avraham and Yaakov narratives. For instance, the blessing, "‎וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ כֹּל מִשְׁפְּחֹת הָאֲדָמָה",‎³ the wish "אִבָּנֶה מִמֶּנָּה"‎⁴ and the descriptions, "הָיָה רְכוּשָׁם רָב מִשֶּׁבֶת יַחְדָּו" ⁵,"וַיָּבֹא אֱ-לֹהִים... בַּחֲלוֹם הַלָּיְלָה",‎⁶ and "וַיַּרְא... מֵרָחֹק" appear in only these two stories. Such literary allusions serve as the basis for a larger comparison of the two figures.⁷

Articles

• See Avraham and Yaakov for an exploration of the parallels and contrasts between the stories, with a list of both thematic and linguistic points of contact.
• See The Parallel Between Yaakov and Avraham by Professor Yonatan Grossman for analysis of the parallels. He sees in Yaakov a second trailblazing Avraham, establishing the nation when all his children are "chosen".

¹ In the Tanakh Lab, click on the Torah icon to see a list of linguistically similar chapters to that being displayed.

² Some of the parallels include:

• Yosef and Tamar both wear a "כתונת פסים".
• Both stories feature violence between siblings.
• Avshalom is not able to speak to Amnon due to his anger just as the brothers cannot speak peaceably to Yosef.
• Tamar’s refusal to sleep with Amnon is similar to Yosef’s refusal to sleep with Potiphar’s wife in Bereshit 39
• Yosef’s statement to clear everyone from the room before he reveals himself to his brothers (Bereshit 45:1) parallels Amnon’s command to clear everyone from around him (Shmuel Bet 13:9)
• Both Yaakov and David are left in mourning over their sons.

³ Click on the phrase in Bereshit 12:3 and choose concordance from the drop-down.

⁴ Click on the phrase in Bereshit 16:2 and choose concordance from the drop-down.

⁵ Click on the phrase in Bereshit 20:3 and choose concordance from the drop-down.

⁶ Click on the phrase in Bereshit 13:6 and choose concordance from the drop-down.

⁷  There are also notable contrasts, including the fact that many of the significant narratives of Yaakov’s life take place at night whereas key events of Avraham’s life take place in the morning.  The similarities and differences between the two Patriarchs might point to their distinct roles in the establishment of the Jewish people and their individual experiences and challenges in the service of Hashem.