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.
Of Roots and Adventures
I have lived in Ohio, Michigan, Georgia (twice), Pennsylvania, Alabama (also twice), England, and Idaho. I left…
Our Most Popular Articles of 2025
It’s been a big year for First Things. Our website was completely redesigned, and stories like the…
Our Year in Film & Television—2025
First Things editors and writers share the most memorable films and TV shows they watched this year.…