LESSON TWENTY CHARACTERIZATION FROM THE BOOK OF GENESIS (INDIRECT

AND DIRECT)

Lesson Overview:

In literature, characterization is the description of a character’s physical traits, point of view, personality, private thoughts, and actions. In studying these traits, the reader becomes better acquainted with the characters of a short story, novel, or drama. This lesson will teach students to characterize biblical figures in the Book of Genesis both directly and indirectly.

Key Concepts: characterization, direct and indirect characterization, inferences, foreshadow

Lesson Objectives:

Students will:

 learn the meanings of direct and indirect characterization.

 make inferences about figures in biblical text.

 understand how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text.

 explain how biblical names relate to their personalities or foreshadow incidents in the plot development.

 characterize biblical figures by the way they interact with other characters.

 understand how characterization adds to the plot of a story.

 demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

Expected Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

 define direct and indirect characterization.

 make inferences about figures in biblical text from direct and indirect characterization.

 discuss how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text.

 explain how biblical names relate to their personalities or foreshadow incidents in the plot development.

 demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

A Literary Study of the Book of Genesis by Wilma J. Brown-Foreman, ED. S

Duration: 3-4 hours

Materials:

 Article: Names in Genesis 1-11 | Bible Interp (arizona.edu)

 Article: “ Bible: characters in the Bible Word Lists” | Collins English Word Lists (collinsdictionary.com)

 Article: “Biblical Characters - Vocabulary Lists” (Biblical Characters - Vocabulary List | Vocabulary.com)

 Article: “Who are the main characters of Genesis?” (Who are the main characters of Genesis? - OverviewBible)

Main Characters in Genesis 1-11

Elohim- “Creator, Mighty and Strong”

Meanings/Explanations

"In the beginning Elohim created the heaven and the earth." (Gen. 1:1)

“Though Elohim is plural in form, it is understood in the singular sense.”

"ELOHIM" (or Elohay) is the first name for God found in the Bible. It is used more than 2,300 times in Hebrew Scriptures.

(Reference: Elohim | Hebrew god | Britannica)

Yahweh- “LORD GOD”

Yahweh (YHVH) (“LORD GOD”)

These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens. (Gen. 2:4)

God uses the name Yahweh when speaking to Jacob at Bethel (28:13) and Jacob also uses the name when he awakens from the dream (28:16).

In Gen. 22:14, Abraham names the place of sacrifice “Yahweh Will Provide” (cf. v. 16), but in v. 8 he declares, “God will provide.”

A Literary Study of the Book of Genesis by Wilma J. Brown-Foreman, ED. S

El ShaddaiHebrew for “God Almighty

“I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.” (Genesis 31:13)

God speaks to Jacob and identifies Himself as El Shaddai.

Adam- "to be red"

“So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Gen. 1:27)

-derived from Hebrew “adam” - "to be red" referring to the ruddy color of human skin or the earth

According to Genesis, God makes Adam from the earth. He and Eve are the first humans.

Eve- - "to breathe," "to live" or life

“And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.” (Gen. 4:20)

In Genesis, Eve and Adam are the first humans. God creates her from one of Adam's ribs to be his companion. Tempted by a serpent, Eve eats the forbidden fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and shares it with Adam. This causes their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. (Gen. 3:20)

Cain-"acquired"

“Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore [a]Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the LORD.” (Gen. 4:1)

Cain is the first son of Adam and Eve. He killed his brother, Abel.

Abel-"breath “or “vapor”

Noah-"rest, repose"

Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. (Gen. 4:8)

“And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.” (Gen. 5:29)

Noah- the son of Lamech who named him, hoping to find relief from hard labor.

Ham - “hot” or “warm”

Japheth - “enlarged”

The sons of Noah who came out of the boat with their father were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Ham is the father of Canaan.) From these three sons of Noah came all the people who now populate the earth. (Gen. 9:18-19)

Shem -one of Noah's three sons (along with Japheth and Ham) and is believed to be the ancestor of the Semitic people. Japheth- thought to be the ancestor of the people of Europe and Northern Asia

A Literary Study of the Book of Genesis by Wilma J. Brown-Foreman, ED. S

Terah- “station”

Ham is believed to be the ancestor of the Egyptians and Canaanites.

“And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.” (Gen. 11:26-27)

Terah- a wanderer who settles in Ur, the land of the Chaldees; father of Abraham, Nahor, and Haran

Abraham (Abram)- “father of a multitude”

As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. (Gen. 17:4)

Abraham is regarded by Jews as being the founder of the Hebrews through his son Isaac and by Muslims as being the founder of the Arabs through his son Ishmael.

Haran- “enlightened” or “strong

Haran is The third son of Terah, younger brother of Abraham and father of Lot (Gen. 11:26-31).

Lot- “covering, veil"

Lot- nephew of Abraham. Before Sodom is destroyed by God, he is directed to flee the city without looking back. However, his wife looks back on the destruction and is turned into a pillar of salt.

Sarah- “princess”

Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milkah; she was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milkah and Iskah. (Gen.11:29)

Sarah (Sarai), the wife of Abraham (Abram) and his half-sister. This name is given to her at the time that the angel announces to Abraham that she should be the mother of the promised child (Isaac). (Gen. 24:58)

Hagar- “flight”

“Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so, she fled from her. (Gen. 16:6)

- an Egyptian slave, a handmaiden of Sarah, whom Sarah gives to her own husband Abram as a wife to bear him a child. Later, Hagar flees from her abusive mistress.

A Literary Study of the Book of Genesis by Wilma J. Brown-Foreman, ED. S

Ishmael- “God hears”

“And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.” (Gen. 16:11)

Ishmael -The son of Abraham by Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian maid. After Sarah casts the boy and his mother out, God promises that he would become a great nation also. Ishmael is the founder of the Ishmaelites, sometimes referred to as Midianites (Gen. 37:25-28).

Isaac- “to laugh" or “laughter”

“Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” (Gen. 17:17)

Therefore, Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? (Gen. 18:12)

Born to Abraham and Sarah in their advanced ages, Isaac's name means "he will laugh," reflecting his parents’laughter in disbelief when God (Elohim) and God’s angels tell them that they will have a child. Isaac is known as the child of promise.

“The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden[c] whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.” She said, “Drink, my lord.” And she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink.” (Gen. 24-16-18)

The beautiful Rebekah is the sister of Laban and daughter of Bethuel, the son of Nahor, the brother of Abraham. In Genesis 24–27, she becomes Isaac’s wife after Abraham’s servant negotiates with Laban. She gives birth to twin sons (Esau and Jacob) after years of barrenness. Her deception in manipulating Isaac for Jacob’s advantage over his brother shows her to be assertive and deceptive.

Esau- “hairy”

“The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so, they named him Esau.” (Gen. 25:25)

Esau-Rebekah's first-born twin son

Esau is a hairy baby, and his birth foreshadows the enmity that will subsist between the twin brothers. Esau sells his birthright to his brother, Jacob, who thereby obtains the covenant blessing ( Genesis 27:28 Genesis 27:29 Genesis 27:36).

A Literary Study of the Book of Genesis by Wilma J. Brown-Foreman, ED. S

Jacob (Israel)- “he that supplants” or “supplanter”

“And Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright, and now look, he has taken away my blessing!” (Gen. 27:36)

Jacob is the second son of Isaac and Rebekah. When Isaac wishes to bless his eldest son Esau, Rebekah hears about it, and tells her son Jacob to go out and hunt for game and disguise himself as Esau. Deceiving Esau, Jacob receives the blessings that belong to his brother.

Leah- “tender-eyed”

And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. (Gen 29:16-17)

Leah is the first wife of Jacob (later named Israel). Leah was the mother of six of Jacob’s sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, and Judah.

Rachel- "ewe, female sheep" “Fulfill her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years. And Jacob did so and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.” (Gen. 25-28)

Rachel is Laban’s lovely younger daughter. She becomes one of the two wives of the patriarch Jacob who is tricked into marrying her sister, Leah. In return for seven more years of labor, he is allowed to marry Rachel as well. At first barren, Rachel eventually gives birth to Joseph . She dies giving birth to Benjamin

Joseph- “to add, increase, or do again” “Then God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her and opened her womb. She conceived and bore a son, and said, “God has taken away my reproach”; and she called his name Joseph, saying, “May the Lord add to me another son!” (Gen. 30:22-24)

While Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife, remains barren, her servant woman bears two sons. Then her sister Leah's servant woman does so, as well. Afterward, Leah herself has three more children. Finally, Rachel gives birth to Joseph and gives him a name that is essentially a prayer for another son to follow. (Genesis 30:1–24)

A Literary Study of the Book of Genesis by Wilma J. Brown-Foreman, ED. S

Assignment

Directions: Use the form below to describe ten (10) of the biblical figures above. Refer to biblical text to find examples of direct and indirect characterizations. Use a thesaurus to expand your vocabulary.

Name of the Character

What is learned about the character based on his/her actions toward others?

What is learned about the character based on what he/she says about him/herself?

What is implied about the character based on the meaning of his/her name or from a namechange?

What can be inferred about the character based on the narrator’s direct description?

What are some adjectives that describe the character’s dominant personality traits?

A Literary Study of the Book of Genesis by Wilma J. Brown-Foreman, ED. S

Study Questions

Are the following statements (A) TRUE or (B) FALSE? (Based on the article, “Names in Genesis 1-11” by Richard S. Hess, (Names in Genesis 1-11 | Bible Interp (arizona.edu))

1. The term “adam” has always been a personal name. (B) FALSE

2. “Adam” can refer to "man, mankind, humanity." (A) TRUE

3. In Genesis 1:26-28, the term “adam” refers to the entire species of humanity. (A) TRUE

4. “Adam,” as used in Genesis, Chapters 2 and 3, distinguishes the man from the woman. (A) TRUE

5. The personal name “Adam” is used in Genesis, Chapter 4. (A) TRUE

6. “Adamah” refers to life. (B) FALSE

7. In Chapter 4, the name “Adam” connects to the “earth.” (A) TRUE

8. Adam is formed from the earth and returns to the earth after his death. (A) TRUE

9. “Adamah” and “Adam” are puns, or a play on words. (A) TRUE

10. The Hebrew root meaning of “Eve” is "to live." (A) TRUE

11. The name “Eve” implies the meaning, "to give life." (A) TRUE

12. Eve’s name refers to the role of the woman as life-givers. (A) TRUE

13. Eves’ name identifies her character or role in the Hebrew Creation narratives. (A) TRUE

14. Adam’s name connotes that he has been given permission to exercise domination over the woman. (B) FALSE

15. Adam’s name connects him to the ground. (A) TRUE

16. Names in ancient Near East cultures connect to meaning, purpose, and literary wordplay. (A) TRUE

17. Cain’s name connects with the story of Genesis 4:1, where Eve gives birth and says, “I have acquired a man with the help of the LORD.” (A) TRUE

18. The Hebrew verb “qaniti” sounds like the name Cain, qayin. (A) TRUE

19. The name Cain probably comes from the same root as his descendant, Tubal Cain, and as the Kenites. (A) TRUE

20. Cain’s bloodline in Genesis 4:17-24 is a list of founders and inventors of many important aspects of human culture. (A) TRUE

21. The name Cain describes the development of the craft of metallurgy. (A) TRUE

22. The name Abel is made up of a root, hebel, referring to something ephemeral (lasting for a short time). (A) TRUE

A Literary Study of the Book of Genesis by Wilma J. Brown-Foreman, ED. S

23. Like a wisp of smoke, Abel leaves no lasting or permanent mark on the world. (A) TRUE

24. The life of Abel is shortened, and he leaves no descendants or lasting memorial. (A) TRUE

25. In Hebrew cultures, names are associated with achievements and genealogy. (A) TRUE

26. The pun, or wordplay, in the name Enoch, which is a synonym of the common noun ’adam.” (A) TRUE

27. Enoch, the son of Seth, is a new Adam and a symbol of hope. (A) TRUE

28. The line of Seth moves beyond the death of Abel and the degeneration Cain’s descendants (as portrayed in Genesis 4). (A) TRUE

29. Noah’s name originates from a root in Hebrew that means "rest, settle." (A) TRUE

30. Shem means "name" in Hebrew. (A) TRUE

31. In Genesis 10:6, Ham relates to Egypt. (A) TRUE

32. The name “Ham” in Genesis 10:6 denotes "servant" in Egyptian. (A) TRUE

33. The etymology of Japheth is uncertain. (A) TRUE

34. Noah uses a wordplay when he says to Japheth, "May God enlarge Japheth" (Genesis 9:27). (A) TRUE

35. The "Table of Nations" in Genesis 10 introduces many place names but few new personal names. (A) TRUE

36. The personal names in the line of Seth (Genesis 11:10-32) relate to the names of places in northern Syria and southern Turkey. (A) TRUE

37. Personal names in Genesis 1-3 and 6-9, provide wordplay in the Hebrew narratives. (A) TRUE

38. Cain is the progenitor of people concerned with human culture. (A) TRUE

39. Seth’s genealogy emphasizes spirituality. (A) TRUE

40. Shem localizes the family of Abram to northern Syria in the Euphrates river plains. (A) TRUE

For Reflection/Essay Development

A Literary Study of the Book of Genesis by Wilma J. Brown-Foreman, ED. S

Directions: Select one (1) of the characters and write a descriptive essay about him/her. Justify your statements with reasons, extended definitions, examples, details, dialogue, comparisons, etc. Use credible online resources to support your ideas. Document sources in the MLA or APA formats. Post the essay on the discussion board. Label the post: Biblical Characterization (Genesis).

A Closing Thought:

“A good name is rather to be chosen than riches.”-Solomon