Emily Kinne- ‘Why was Abraham chosen?’
The specific reasons for Abraham’s position as the chosen one are not explicitly discussed in Genesis,
indeed, he is referred to as ‘chosen’1 only once in the text. However, it is undeniable that Abraham holds a
position of great authority for the Abrahamic faiths, due to his centrality in their sacred writings, 2 and his
importance as a symbol of the epitome of faith, indicating that he possesses desirable traits which makes
his unconventional story notable. Examination of biblical texts, many of which remember him as the father
of faith and ancestor of the Israelites,3 will bring to light the unique character of Abraham as the ‘homo
religious,’ whose steadfast moral compass and intimate relationship with God set him apart from others,
presenting him as chosen.
Indeed, Abraham’s is not a classic quest story, and it has many features which mark it as unique. Everett Fox
examines the Abraham narrative to conclude that his journey and character subverts many of the
archetypes of traditional heroic quest stories, setting him apart from others such as Moses, which can
indicate at his unique and special position. ‘Quest stories’ as established in folklore have common themes,
usually following a character who sets out on an expedition to a far-away land, hoping to obtain something
valuable, which will be shared with the character’s community on their return. 4 This journey will contain
multiple hardships and trials, which will serve to unveil the true nature of the character, often showcasing a
specific positive attribute of theirs, such as courage or selflessness. Fox describes this as a common
narrative pattern throughout history, such as showcased by the story of Gilgamesh, who embarks on a
dangerous quest to find the secret to eternal life, assisted by helpers along the duration of the journey. 5
However, Abraham’s narrative tends to lack personal detail, as shown in the Akedah, which ceases to
include Abraham’s inner dialogue or personal response to God’s commands of sacrifice, simply describing
events in a chronological fashion (e.g. “He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the
wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took a knife to kill his son.”)6 The rather mechanical
structure offers no insight into the personal motivations of Abraham in following the commands, as well as
lacking a clear explanation as to why Abraham has been chosen and thus tested in this way. In failing to fit
to the archetypical ‘quest stories,’ Abraham’s importance interesting to note. It is not the case that
Abraham’s narrative layout is what makes him significant, nor does it draw attention to the reasons for his
chosen position. It is evident therefore, that there are other reasons for his importance and position as
chosen.
Abraham’s uniqueness is further exemplified when his narrative cycle is compared against Lord Raglan’s list
of folk hero traits, established in 1936. This list brings together common motifs used in folk tales in relation
to the character of the hero, with the more corresponding motifs a narrative uses, the more it begins to
take on the folk story genre with a traditional heroic character. The motifs include attempted murder by the
father, the hero’s return to their homeland and seizing of the local throne after defeat of a great foe, and
1
Genesis 18:19: “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do (…) No, for I have chosen him”
2
Firestone, Reuven, 'Abraham and Authenticity', in Silverstein, and Stroumsa (eds), The Oxford
Handbook of the Abrahamic Religions. Oxford: OUP, 2015. Pg3.
3
Hendel, Ronald. ‘Abraham,’ Bible Odyssey. Accessed at
https://www.bibleodyssey.org/articles/abraham/
4
Fox, E. ‘What Kind of Hero is Abraham?’ TheTorah.com. 2017. Accessed at
https://www.thetorah.com/article/what-kind-of-hero-is-abraham
5
Ibid.
6
Genesis 22:10-11.
The specific reasons for Abraham’s position as the chosen one are not explicitly discussed in Genesis,
indeed, he is referred to as ‘chosen’1 only once in the text. However, it is undeniable that Abraham holds a
position of great authority for the Abrahamic faiths, due to his centrality in their sacred writings, 2 and his
importance as a symbol of the epitome of faith, indicating that he possesses desirable traits which makes
his unconventional story notable. Examination of biblical texts, many of which remember him as the father
of faith and ancestor of the Israelites,3 will bring to light the unique character of Abraham as the ‘homo
religious,’ whose steadfast moral compass and intimate relationship with God set him apart from others,
presenting him as chosen.
Indeed, Abraham’s is not a classic quest story, and it has many features which mark it as unique. Everett Fox
examines the Abraham narrative to conclude that his journey and character subverts many of the
archetypes of traditional heroic quest stories, setting him apart from others such as Moses, which can
indicate at his unique and special position. ‘Quest stories’ as established in folklore have common themes,
usually following a character who sets out on an expedition to a far-away land, hoping to obtain something
valuable, which will be shared with the character’s community on their return. 4 This journey will contain
multiple hardships and trials, which will serve to unveil the true nature of the character, often showcasing a
specific positive attribute of theirs, such as courage or selflessness. Fox describes this as a common
narrative pattern throughout history, such as showcased by the story of Gilgamesh, who embarks on a
dangerous quest to find the secret to eternal life, assisted by helpers along the duration of the journey. 5
However, Abraham’s narrative tends to lack personal detail, as shown in the Akedah, which ceases to
include Abraham’s inner dialogue or personal response to God’s commands of sacrifice, simply describing
events in a chronological fashion (e.g. “He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the
wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took a knife to kill his son.”)6 The rather mechanical
structure offers no insight into the personal motivations of Abraham in following the commands, as well as
lacking a clear explanation as to why Abraham has been chosen and thus tested in this way. In failing to fit
to the archetypical ‘quest stories,’ Abraham’s importance interesting to note. It is not the case that
Abraham’s narrative layout is what makes him significant, nor does it draw attention to the reasons for his
chosen position. It is evident therefore, that there are other reasons for his importance and position as
chosen.
Abraham’s uniqueness is further exemplified when his narrative cycle is compared against Lord Raglan’s list
of folk hero traits, established in 1936. This list brings together common motifs used in folk tales in relation
to the character of the hero, with the more corresponding motifs a narrative uses, the more it begins to
take on the folk story genre with a traditional heroic character. The motifs include attempted murder by the
father, the hero’s return to their homeland and seizing of the local throne after defeat of a great foe, and
1
Genesis 18:19: “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do (…) No, for I have chosen him”
2
Firestone, Reuven, 'Abraham and Authenticity', in Silverstein, and Stroumsa (eds), The Oxford
Handbook of the Abrahamic Religions. Oxford: OUP, 2015. Pg3.
3
Hendel, Ronald. ‘Abraham,’ Bible Odyssey. Accessed at
https://www.bibleodyssey.org/articles/abraham/
4
Fox, E. ‘What Kind of Hero is Abraham?’ TheTorah.com. 2017. Accessed at
https://www.thetorah.com/article/what-kind-of-hero-is-abraham
5
Ibid.
6
Genesis 22:10-11.
