Scholarly Interest In The Old Testaments

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

While scholarly interest in the Old Testaments has long centered on diachronic source criticism as well as the more recent synchronic criticism, theological themes of the book, particularly the Book of Genesis, has largely been relegated to the background. Research works on the book of Genesis is widespread and thorough mostly directed toward source and form criticism, that is why David J. A. Clines has called for a “more holistic approach to the Pentateuch . . . which goes beyond questions about its (presumed) sources, and enquires about the meaning of the text that now exists.” A general review of the biblical book does not focus specifically on the theological themes in the literature which is our main focus.

YHWH makes three statements in each panel (15:1b, 4, 5 and 15:7, 13-16, 18b-21) and His name occurring symmetrically. Abram, in turn, raises an objection to the divine promise in each panel (15:2-3 and 15:8).
Also a brief outline of Gen 17 may be helpful here before establishing the literary context. The outline can be proposed in congruence with the structure proposed by Gordon Wenhen in his commentary on Genesis as follows :
A. Abram’s age (17:1a) B. The LORD appears to Abram (17:1b) C. God’s first speech (17:1c-2) D. Abram falls on his face (17:3) E. God’s second speech (emphasizing “names/ kings/nations”) (17:4-8) F. God’s third/most important speech (emphasizing “the covenant”) (17:9-14) E’. God’s fourth speech (emphasizing “names/kings/ nations”) (17:15-16) D’. Abraham falls on his face (17:17-18) C’. God’s fifth speech (17:19-21) B’. The LORD goes up from Abraham (17:22-23) A’. Abraham’s age (17:24-25)

Genre of Genesis 15 and

The account of Genesis is God’s dealing with the faithful few who loved and served Him. Also it addresses the depth of depravity into which those who had left God and His precepts fell
2. Genesis 15 and 17 appears to address God’s covenant cutting with Abraham, especially the relationship between both accounts in the chapters, and how God re-emphasize His promise in Gen 12:1-3.
3. The immediate literary context of Gen 15 and 17 is the unit chaps. 15-17, which in turn has chapters 12-22 as its larger context.
4. In terms of genre, Gen 15 and 17 are considered as a narrative, attempting to give account of how God cut a covenant with Abraham.
5. Structurally the cutting of the covenant forms an integral and central part in the larger context.

CHAPTER 3
EXEGETICAL STUDY
This part of the study focuses on the Abrahamic covenant in Gen 15 and 17. To this end, I will analyze two chapters within which the covenant of Abraham are found. The structural and contextual analysis of the chapters will be carried out. I will first consider the term covenant and what it