David L. Petersen on Genesis and Family Values

David L. Petersen, ‘Genesis and Family Values’, Journal of Biblical Literature 124, 1 (2005), 5-23.

David L. Petersen makes three main points about ‘family values’ in Genesis: (1) Genesis is a book that focuses on the family; (2) Genesis is a book that includes family literature, and (3) Genesis offers clear and significant family values.

(1) Genesis is concerned with families – obviously in the ancestral narratives, but also in the primeval history, in 12:3, and in the ‘generations’ formula. The primeval history depicts families. 12:3 promises blessing to families of all nations. The generations formula links the genealogies and narratives throughout Genesis. In Exodus, a transition has been made from a family to a people.

(2) Genesis is ‘family literature’ – which is literature produced by families or about families, like Icelandic sagas and the family novel.

(3) Genesis and family values – notably three important values:

• Genesis ‘challenges readers to have an expansive view of the family’ (as larger than a couple or a nuclear family).

• ‘Patterns of marriage and sexual access in Genesis attest to the importance of the family continuing over time’ (all of which connects with the promise of descendants to Abraham).

• ‘Members of the family use diverse strategies to keep from injuring or killing each other’ (e.g., Abraham and Lot separating to avoid conflict; Jacob and Laban drawing up a legal decree of separation to avoid violence; Jacob and Esau, with Jacob giving gifts and engaging verbally with Esau, opening the door to reconciliation.

In summary, ‘(1) the value of defining family in expansive terms; (2) the value of familial continuity; (3) and the value of nonviolent resolution of conflict within the family’.