Genesis 37–50 (Continental Commentary | CC)

by Claus Westermann

Publisher:

Fortress Press

, 2002

Overview

This third volume of Westermann’s masterful commentary on Genesis offers a stimulating treatment of one of the most poignant and unified of the narratives in Genesis—the Joseph story. English-speaking readers now have access to Westermann’s thorough introduction to Genesis 37–50 as a whole, as well as treatments of the individual passages familiar from the first two volumes.

Contents

Top Highlights

“God’s plan is rather to bring the evil devised by the brothers to good in such a way that there can be forgiveness.” (Page 205)

“The garment then is not only a fine present from the father to his beloved son; it also sets Joseph apart from his brothers; the consequence of predilection is preference.” (Page 37)

“ it is directed, therefore, not only to the family of Jacob, but also to the Egyptians” (Page 205)

“God’s action is set over against this with the same verb חשׁב, ‘God planned it for good’ (execution again included). This ‘for good’ includes God’s action in bringing guilt to forgiveness; for only then can the brothers’ fear be removed. It is only in this context that Joseph’s rhetorical question, ‘Am I in the place of God?’ can be understood.” (Page 205)

“In the patriarchal period when groups or parts of the family were away from the father, the eldest present took over the role of the father when it was necessary; he bore responsibility for this limited time.” (Page 41)

Praise for the Print Edition

This work opens up dimensions of meaning which are not only relevant for theology but for human existence in the modern world.

—Bernhard Anderson, Old Testament Scholar

Product Details

• Title: Continental Commentary Series: Genesis 37-50
• Author: Claus Westermann
• Translator: John J. Scullion S. J.
• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Publication Date: 1986
• Pages: 272

About Claus Westermann

Rev. Dr. Claus Westermann was an Old Testament scholar. He was born on October 7, 1909 in Berlin. Prof. Westermann taught at the University of Heidelberg from 1958 to 1978. Born to African missionaries, he finished his studies in 1933 he became a pastor. During his theological studies he started studying the Old Testament, and became particularly interested in the content of the Psalms.