Yes dear! Spousal dynamics in the Late Ramesside Letters

Ridealgh, Kim

doi:10.2307/j.ctvh1dr9z.18

Cited by 1 publication

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“…1 In the wider narrative (Gen. 25-33), Jacob's language is ironic. It contrasts with the prediction in Gen. 27.29 that Jacob will 'be lord over his brothers' (…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…Esau's] face is like seeing the face of God' ( ), which is a use of another positive politeness strategy-'exaggerate interest to H'. Despite the clear allusion to the incident at Peniel (32.23-31 [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]), Jacob atters Esau. As a character, Esau does not know about Jacob's wrestling with God.…”

Section: Politeness Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…14 What then is Jacob doing with his language in Gen. 33.1-17? This study proposes, with reference to the wider narrative (Gen. [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] and also with some reference to the larger biblical intertext and historical considerations, that Jacob is simply being polite to his brother. Yet, by being polite, he gets what he wants from Esau.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The ‘Slave’ Is the ‘Master’: Jacob's Servile Language to Esau in Genesis 33.1-17

Bridge

2014

Journal for the Study of the Old Testament

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Jacob's meeting and reconciliation with Esau as narrated in Gen. 33.1-17 has created problems for interpretation, especially given Jacob's use of servile language to Esau, his insistence that Esau accepts his gift, and his apparent lying. An analysis of the dialogue using politeness theory reveals that Jacob uses his language to encourage Esau to grant two requests favourably. These are: rst, to encourage Esau to forego his right of revenge for Jacob's stealing of the blessing due to him, narrated in Genesis 27; and second, Jacob desires to remove himself from being with Esau. Neither of these requests is stated openly. Jacob's language is typical of requests in Genesis, but he uses it to portray himself as a social inferior to Esau. This allows Esau to avoid loss of face or feeling he has been coerced if he grants the two requests. This interpretation of Jacob's language matches with some other literary interpretations of the dialogue and gives caution to the appropriateness of the common interpretations that Jacob gives back to Esau the stolen blessing and that Jacob negotiates a treaty with Esau.

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“…1 In the wider narrative (Gen. 25-33), Jacob's language is ironic. It contrasts with the prediction in Gen. 27.29 that Jacob will 'be lord over his brothers' (…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 65%