Sibling Rivalry in Genesis

Paper Summary:

Throughout the book of Genesis, each generation features brothers or sisters who competed, often bitterly and often for their parent's attention. This paper shows that the sibling rivalries between Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-26), Esau and Jacob, Ishmael and Isaac, and Joseph and his brothers were similar in some ways and different in others. The conflicts and actions between all the siblings can all be tied together by responsibly dealing with conflict and resolution. The paper shows that the Book of Genesis poses the well-known question, "Am I my brothers keeper?," which gets answered by the end of the book. In addition, the actions of the parents may have had an impact on the actions of their children.

From the Paper:

"The portion that illustrates Jacob's moral maturation is by the tale of Jacob's struggle with a godly being the night before he was to meet his estranged brother (Genesis 32:23-32). Jacob wrestled with the god sent figure and left the attack morally enhanced but physically injured. He then received a new name, "Israel," which is interpreted to mean, "the one who strives with beings divine and human and prevails". Therefore, when he finally meets Esau, he is no longer the proud youngster who is out to take advantage of his brother, but a mature man, bearing the scars of life and offering gifts to his brother."

More papers on Sibling Rivalry in Genesis:

• Analytical Essay # 3951 : "Sibling Rivalry as a Predominant Theme in the "Book of Genesis"
• Analytical Essay # 4360 : "Sibling Rivalry as a Predominant Theme in "The Book of Genesis"
• Term Paper # 133398 : "An Intervention Strategy for Sibling Rivalry"

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