Abraham, Blessing and the Nations

A Philological and Exegetical Study of Genesis 12:3 in its Narrative Context

Keith N. Grüneberg

• Publisher: De Gruyter
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN: 9783110178371
• eBook ISBN: 9783110895117
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Ancient Religion

This monograph investigates Genesis 12:3 in its context in the final form of Genesis. The author argues that the verse is, first, a promise of security and greatness to Abraham and Israel. However, its position following Genesis 1-11 also indicates a divine plan to extend blessing to all the peoples of the earth. Supporting this understanding of the verse, the author examines the close parallels that Genesis and Numbers 24:9 have to Genesis 12:3. He also presents a detailed consideration of the concept of blessing in the Old Testament and of the niphal and hithpael stems of the verb barak.

Ph.D. dissertation under the supervision of Dr R. W. L. Moberly, Durham, UK.

Table of contents

• Acknowledgments
• Contents
• Abbreviations
• 1 Introduction
• 1.1 Rationale for this study
• 1.2 Method
• 2 Parallels to Genesis 12:3a
• 2.1 Introduction
• 2.2 Genesis 27:29b
• 2.3 Numbers 24:9b
• 3 The niphal in Hebrew
• 3.1 Introduction
• 3.2 The niphal as a “middle” stem
• 3.3 Passive niphals
• 3.4 Reflexive niphals
• 3.5 Conclusion
• 4 Parallels to Gen 12:3b with the niphal
• 4.1 Introduction
• 4.2 Genesis 18:18
• 4.3 Genesis 28:14
• 5 Blessing
• 5.1 Introduction
• 5.2 Etymology and diachronic study
• 5.3 Cursing
• 5.4 The content of blessing given to a human
• 5.5 God’s blessing
• 5.6 Humans blessing humans: especially √ברך piel
• 5.7 Greeting, thanking, congratulating
• 5.8 The word ברוך, especially as applied to humans
• 5.9 The word אשרי
• 5.10 Humans blessing God
• 5.11 The pual
• 5.12 The word ברבה
• 5.13 Conclusion
• 6 Genesis 12:3
• 6.1 Genesis 1-11
• 6.2 The syntax of Genesis 12:1-3
• 6.3 Genesis 12:3 in its context
• 7 The hithpael of √ברך
• 7.1 The hithpael in Hebrew
• 7.2 The hithpael of √ברך outside Genesis
• 8 Parallels to Genesis 12:3b with the hithpael
• 8.1 Introduction
• 8.2 Genesis 22:18
• 8.3 Genesis 26:4
• 9 Conclusion
• Bibliography
• Index of scripture references