Texts in Conversation
In the Odyssey, Odysseus reveals himself to his son, weeping as he says he is no stranger but the father long thought lost. Genesis 45 stages Joseph’s reunion the same way, the hidden brother disclosing who he is and breaking into tears.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Homer Odyssey 16.188
Classical
172 With this, Athena touched him with her golden wand. A well-washed cloak and a tunic she first of all cast about his breast, and she increased his stature and his youthful bloom. Once more he grew dark of color, and his cheeks filled out, and dark grew the beard about his chin. Then, when she had wrought thus, she departed, but Odysseus went into the hut. And his dear son marvelled, and, seized with fear, turned his eyes aside, lest it should be a god. And he spoke, and addressed him with winged words: “Of other sort thou seemest to me now, stranger, than awhile ago, and other are the garments thou hast on, and thy color is no more the same. Verily thou art a god, one of those who hold broad heaven. Nay then, be gracious, that we may offer to thee acceptable sacrifices and golden gifts, finely wrought; but do thou spare us.” 186 Then the much-enduring, goodly Odysseus answered him: “Be sure I am no god; why dost thou liken me to the immortals? Nay, I am thy father, for whose sake thou dost with groaning endure many griefs, and submittest to the violence of men.” 190 So saying, he kissed his son, and from his cheeks let fall a tear to earth, but before he ever steadfastly held them back. Howbeit Telemachus—for he did not yet believe that it was his father--again answered, and spoke to him, saying: “Thou verily art not my father Odysseus, but some god beguiles me, that I may weep and groan yet more. For nowise could a mortal man contrive this by his own wit, unless a god were himself to come to him, and easily by his will make him young or old. For verily but now thou wast an old man and meanly clad, whereas now thou art like the gods, who hold broad heaven.”
Date: 725 B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Genesis 45:4
Hebrew Bible
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” His brothers could not answer him because they were dumbfounded before him. 4 Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me,” so they came near. Then he said, “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 Now, do not be upset and do not be angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life!
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Notes and References
... Book 16: Emotional Self-Revelation, and Future Plans (Odyssey 16; Genesis 45). When Telemachus, back from his journey, returns to the swineherd's hut there are two emotional meetings—first between Telemachus and the swineherd, and later, while the swineherd is absent (announcing the news to the mother), between Telemachus and his long-lost father, Odysseus. Odysseus's self-revelation to his son has provided a partial model for Joseph's self-revelation to his brothers. The asterisks indicate texts that are interwoven. ... The most difficult connection is the last—between the swineherd's return to the old visitor and Telemachus (16:452-481) and the brothers' return to Jacob (45:25-28). The Odyssey supplies just one component. The swineherd tells of the word (epos, 16:467) and of seeing the ship (16:472); to Jacob they spoke the words and he saw the wagons (45:27) ...
Brodie, Thomas L.
Genesis as Dialogue: A Literary, Historical, and Theological Commentary
(pp. 474-475) Oxford University Press, 2001
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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