Language, Literature, and Culture

Stalking the Younger Brother: Some Models for Understanding a Biblical Motif

Document Type

Article

Abstract

The motif of the Younger Brother Triumphant is a well-recognized and striking one in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in Genesis and Samuel-Kings. It has spawned numerous interpretations, in the modem period no less than in the works of classical Jewish and Christian commentators. This article sets out six of the more common recent approaches to the motif: comparative, psychological, historical, socio- economic, Davidic and structural/ideological. It suggests that, in the end, an evolving, composite reading that takes previous ‘lives’ of the motif into account best serves the texts that lie before us. © 1993, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.

Publication Title

Journal for the Study of the Old Testament

Publication Date

12-1993

Volume

18

Issue

60

First Page

45

Last Page

68

ISSN

0309-0892

DOI

10.1177/030908929301806003

Keywords

Hebrew Bible, Old Testament, motifs

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS