Developing Joseph’s Character: Narratological Reflections on the Dynamic Character of the Biblical Joseph

Abstract

The Joseph story is a magisterial work. Yet, many scholars have devoted considerable attention to diachronic issues like the story’s origin, development, and redactions rather than a synchronic reading of the story. If one engages in a reading at the level of the final redaction of the Genesis story, a hitherto little perceived development of the Joseph figure becomes apparent. Joseph – presented as an egomaniacal youth who insensitively and arrogantly stands up to his brothers – over time becomes a more patient, vigilant, and clever statesman, who in the end becomes the saviour of Egypt and of his own family. With the help of narratological character analysis, the hitherto strongly held perception of Joseph as a flat, idealised, stereotypical character must give way to a multifaceted, vivid image of the biblical Joseph by re-examining his story.