Abraham, a Judahite Prerogative

This article discusses the references to Abraham in the literature of the sixth century BC (Ez 11,15; 33,23; Isa 41,8; 51,2; 63,16 and Neh 9). First, it addresses the inter-textual relation between the references to Abraham in Ezekiel and in Isaiah 40-55: while the earlier Ezekielian material rejects the Judahites' claim to land through the promise to Abraham, the later Isaianic material, addressing a Judahite audience, affirms it. Secondly, it explores the references to Abraham in the lament in Isa 63,16 and in the penitential prayer in Neh 9,7-8, and notes that these two texts, likely to have been composed in sixth century Judah, single out Abraham from among the patriarchs. Finally, this article reflects upon the fact that these references to Abraham are all found in texts either written by the community in sixth century Judah or attributed to them.