Women with Stories (Genesis 34, 38)

This introductory paragraph appears in the reproducible handout for session 8 that comes with the video series Fretheim Explores Genesis. Luther Productions. St. Paul. 2000:

Terence E. Fretheim

The eighth video session focuses on the stories of Dinah and Tamar in Genesis 34 and 38. Women play a prominent role in the book of Genesis. From Genesis 1 we learn that male and female are created in the image of God. A fundamental equality between men and women is seen as basic to God's intentions for the creation. When sin entered the world, one of its effects was the breakdown of this equality, and patriarchal structures became characteristic of their life together. That the stories of Genesis are predominantly concerned with families also makes it natural for women to play a key role. Eve plays a prominent role in Genesis 2-4 and is not the culprit she is often claimed to be. Sarah and Hagar and the dynamics of their relationship are key to the development of the story of Abraham and his family. Rebecca is key to God's plans for the choice of Jacob, and his wives Leah and Rachel (with their slave-girls) bear twelve sons that are the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. Jacob also has one daughter, Dinah; she and Tamar (Judah's daughter-in-law) are the characters that provide the focus for this session.