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Patriarchal Relationships in Genesis


            The relationship of father and sons in the book of Genesis best symbolizes fear, respect, and inequality. In terms of fear, it is defined as being afraid with another who has the power or status to affect the other person's choice. In addition, out of fear, respect comes after as people tend to become more willing to show their loyalty to the person with power in a specific relationship. Relationships are not always equal as one will be more powerful and create imbalances in the relationship making one stronger and the other weaker. Power in the book of Genesis means that having the ability to do something or act in a particular way to influence or direct someone that is in lower hierarchy. The most successful family in the book of Genesis is Abraham's because he has God to tell him what exactly would happen in the future. If he does something God does not like, God corrects him right away and this is also very obvious throughout the book of Genesis. In a patriarchal society, such as the one in Genesis, it shows that relationships are based on who has power as it determines who is feared, respected, and in control. .
             In the book of Genesis, power determines who is feared in a patriarchal society. God is mostly seen with power and he shows this in many instances in Genesis. One scenario where God shows a relationship with one of his creation is where a son fears a father in the story of Abimelech. God is powerful and feared as he tells Abimelech, "I knew that you did this with a blameless heart, and so I kept you from sinning against me If you fail to restore her, know that you shall die, you and all that are yours" (20:6-7). In this instance we can see that God is using his power to influence his son to do something that he does not want to do. God is the father figure in this episode and he did not want his son to sin against him so he strikes fear in his son's heart by threatening him with death.


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