Chiasmus: The redactional structure of the Book of Genesis

This dissertation surveys various attempts to discover the structure, especially the chiastic structure of the book of Genesis, and includes a critique of the various methodologies underlying these attempts. It establishes and explains the criteria of chiasm and the significance of the method. It also demonstrates that the author/redactor of Genesis utilizes various structures of the individual segments of Genesis, but for the whole of the book he employs an overall complex chiastic structure in order to convey his theological or ideological message clearly and persuasively. (A) The Creation Cycle (1:1–6:8); (B) The Noah Cycle (6:9–11:26); (C) The Abraham Cycle (11:27–22:24); (D) The Isaac-Rebekah Cycle (23:1–25:11); (C′) The Jacob Cycle (25:12–37:1); (B ′) The Joseph Cycle (37:2–46:27); (A′ ) The Creation of Israel Cycle (46:28–50:26). This theological message is easily discernable in the chiastic pattern of the book of Genesis because in this pattern, the first three of cycles (A to C) are concerned with the plot's rising tension or action, and the second three (C′ to A′), which are symmetrically parallel to the first three, are concerned with its resolution or falling action with a single central element, the turning point or climax of this structure (D). The creation of God which was good, even very good, in its start begins to be destroyed by the disobedience of Adam and Eve and the sins of their progeny which cause curse and their expulsion, and await restoration. Noah as a new beginner also fails, and further curse and expulsion are necessary. Eventually, Abraham whom God calls resolves these human problems by his absolute obedience. Finally, God's broken creation must start all over again. These events take place in the first three cycles. In the center of the book of Genesis, a new couple, Isaac and Rebekah who are firmly stationed in the Promised Land and enjoy much blessing because of Abraham's unswerving obedience, is introduced to make a fresh start. Now in the last three cycles which are symmetrically parallel to the first three cycles, the new creation of God works throughout to form the nation Israel. Jacob inherits Abraham's spiritual heritage and becomes the direct progenitor of Israel. Joseph plays the same preserving role as Noah did. Unlike Noah who only contributed to the distribution of world population, he succeeds. Jacob's family grows into the twelve tribes, and eventually, becomes the nation Israel, which is the ultimate goal of God's creation. All kinds of problems which the world has had are resolved by God's chosen nation Israel. Disobedience is replaced by the understanding of God's heart, strife by reconciliation, murder by life, curse by blessing, and expulsion by safe settlement. Thus, the complex chiastic structure of the book of Genesis clearly reveals who the nation Israel is, what roles she must play in the world as God's regent, and how to secure the Promised Land which is inseparably connected to the observance of God's law. Therefore, the understanding of the literary and aesthetic structure of a text is a necessary and integral part of understanding its intended meaning.