The LORD’s covenant with Abraham
Genesis 17:1-25
A Abram's age (1a)
B The LORD appears to Abram (1b)
C God's first speech (1b-2)
D Abram falls on his face (3)
E God's second speech
(Abram's name changed, kings; 4-8)
X God's Third Speech
(the covenant of circumcision; 9-14)
E' God's fourth speech
(Sari's name changed, kings; 15-16)
D' Abraham falls on his face (17-18)
C' God's fifth speech (19-21)
B' God "goes up" from Abraham (22)
A' Abraham's age (24-25)
Sometimes, a chiastic structure may be found within another structure.
Jacob and Esau Turnabout
Genesis 32:1--33:20
A Jacob continues journey to Canaan (32:1a)
B Angels of God encounter Jacob and names the place "two camps" (32:1b-2)
C Jacob's embassy to Esau (32:3-6)
D Jacob fearfully prepares to meet Esau (32:7-21)
E Jacob and entourage prepares to meet Esau (32:22-23)
X Jacob wrestles with a "man" and name changed to "Israel" (32:24-32)
E' Jacob prepares entourage to meet Esau (33:1-2)
D' Jacob meets Esau and bows seven times (33:3)
C' Jacob and Esau greet each other (33:4-7)
B' Jacob explains his "two camps" to Esau and depart (33:8-16)
A' Jacob arrives in Canaan (33:17-20)
A The angels of God encountered Jacob--place name changed to "Mahanaim" (32:1-2)
B Jacob sent messengers, listing possessions to Esau (32:3-8)
X Jacob's prayer to the LORD (32:9-12)
B' Jacob sent messengers and gifts to Esau (32:13-21)
A' A "man opposes Jacob, blesses and changes his name to Israel, after which Jacob
Jacob renames the place "Peniel" (32:22-31)
The chiastic center above turns upon another chiasmus!
Introduction: Jacob's invocation (32:9a)
A God's Word to Jacob while in Haran (32:9b)
B God's promise of prosperity to Jacob (32:9c)
C Jacob's confession (32:10a)
D Jacob left Canaan with just a staff (32:10b)
X The Jordan River: a place of contrast (32:10c)
D' Jacob returns to Canaan with "two camps" (32:10d)
C' Jacob's petition (32:11)
B' God's promise of prosperity to Jacob (32:12a)
A' God's Word to Jacob while in Canaan (32:12b)
A Jacob did not cross the Jabbok that night, but remained alone (32:22-24a)
B A "man" wrestles with Jacob (32:24b-25)
C The "man's" request to Jacob (32:26a)
D Jacob requests a blessing (32:26b)
E The "man" asks Jacob his name (32:27a)
X Jacob's name is changed from "Jacob" to "Israel" (32:27b-28)
E' Jacob asks the "man" his name (32:29a,b)
D' The "man" blesses Jacob (32:29c)
C' Jacob's response by naming the place "Peniel" (32:30a)
B' Jacob says that he has seen God "face to face" (32:30b)
A' The sun rose upon Jacob as he crossed over Penuel [alone] (32:31)
Editorial note: In commemoration of Jacob's confrontation with God, the descendants
of Israel did not eat the sinew of the hip because it was touched
in the struggle (32:32)
Beloved Son, Hated Brother
Genesis 37:1-11
Introduction: Joseph's background within the family in Canaan (2b)
A Israel's outward manifestation of his love for Joseph (3)
B Brothers' hatred of Joseph (4a)
C Brothers' silence toward Joseph (4b)
D Brothers' reaction to 1st dream (5)
E Joseph's 1st dream report (6-7)
X Brothers' Embittered Hatred Of Joseph
because of his dreams (8)
(notice that the word "dreams" is
plural--not singular!)
E' Joseph's 2nd dream report (9-10a)
D' Jacob's reaction to 2nd dream (10b)
C' Jacob's speech to Joseph (10c)
B' Brothers' envy of Joseph (11a)
A' Jacob's inward mediation of the things concerning Joseph (11b)
Death and Unfulfilled Promises
Genesis 50:1-26
A Burial arrangements
for Israel (1-3
a Joseph weeps (1)
x Joseph's
command (2-3a)
a' Egyptians weep (3b)
B
Joseph's petition to Pharaoh (4-6)
a
Joseph petitions Pharaoh's court (4a)
x Joseph's petition (4b-5)
a' Pharaoh
grants Joseph's petition (6)
C Preparation to bury Israel (7-9)
a Joseph's entourage assent to Canaan (7-8a)
x The people who stayed behind in Egypt (8b)
a' Additional details of entourage to Canaan (9)
X Mourning For Jacob (10-11)
a Place and duration of mourning (10)
x The Canaanites observe the lamentation (11a-b)
a' Place renamed (11c)
C' Burial of Israel (12-14)
a Decent to Canaan (12-13a)
x Israel is buried in Canaan (13b-c)
a' Ascent to Egypt (14)
B'
Joseph brothers' petition (15-21)
a
Brothers' fear (15)"
x Brothers' petition and dream fulfilled (16-18)
a'
Joseph reassures his brothers (19-21)
A' Burial arrangements
and death of Joseph (22-26)
a Joseph's age (22)
x
Promises remembered and made (23-25)
a' Joseph's age (26)
