Abram as Moses

Peter J. Leithart, October 19, 2004

Jerome Walsh (in Style and Structure in Biblical Hebrew Narrative) points out the chiastic structure of Gen 12:6b: Pharaoh gives Abram "flocks-and-herds/jackasses/men servants//women servants/jenny asses/camels." This arrangement highlights the gift of slaves to Abram, anticipating the "gift" of Hebrew slaves to Moses in the exodus. Abram leaves Egypt not only with wealth, but with a company of liberated slaves.

Further, Walsh suggests that the whole episode has a chiastic structure:

A. Abram goes to Egypt
B. Sarai taken
C. Pharaoh gives gifts
C'. Pharaoh suffers plagues
B'. Pharaoh returns Sarai
A'. Abram returns

The transfer of slaves from Egypt to Abram is at the center of the whole "exodus" story.