Feb 8, 2015

Parallels between the Joseph and Esther Narratives?

William Varner has noted seven parallels between the Joseph and Esther stories here. The parallels are interesting but some seem to oversimplify the details a bit (See #1. Is the setting really the court for both narratives? Or is the court part one of the settings in both stories?) and others might be a bit of a stretch (See #3. Is Joseph's rejection of the advances of Potiphar's wife really an attempt to save his people?). On the other hand, some parallels are more persuasive (2, 4, 6, 7). I might add that both stories involve the transfer of a signet ring (to Joseph in Gen 41:42; to Mordecai in Esth 8:2).

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