Hi Oun, As concisely as I can, the toledot formulas seem to serve as a structuring device for the book of Genesis. Toledot, purely etymologically, would seem to mean something like generations. But it used in Genesis even when the idea of "generation"is not in view. So, for example, the last occurrence in the book, in 37:2, introduces the narrative account of Joseph, even though the formula is "these are the toledot of Jacob." Interestingly, the preceding verses are not about Jacob, but about Esau and the Ishmaelites. So, what the verse, really seems to be indicating is, "these are the accounts of Jacob's sons," and that is what follows in the next chapters. NRSV seems to have the right idea when it translates, "This is the story of the family of Jacob . . . " and then starts with the story of Joseph.
Blessings, Jerry Shepherd Taylor Seminary Edmonton, Alberta Jerry Shepherd [email protected] _______________________________________________ b-hebrew mailing list [email protected] http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/b-hebrew
