Lesson for March 1, 2026

• Abraham’s Background and Desire for Priesthood (Abraham 1:1–4)
• Idolatry and Human Sacrifice in Chaldea (1:5–15)
• Abraham Receives a Divine Commission (1:15–19)
• God Reveals Egyptian Influence in Chaldea (1:20–28)
• Abraham’s Journey Begins (1:29–31)

Q: What did Abraham desire? How were his desires evident in his actions? How did God support his desires?Q: What are your desires? How are they evident in your actions? How does God support you?Q: What message do these verses have for people whose family members do not desire righteousness?

• God Calls Abraham and Establishes the Covenant (2:1–11)
• Abraham Departs with Lot and Sarai (2:12–14)
• The Famine and Journey to Egypt (2:15–18)
• Abraham Receives the “Great Knowledge” (2:9–11, 2:17)
• Arrival in Egypt; Abraham as Teacher (2:19–25)

Q: What exactly did God promise Abraham and Sarah?Q: Why do we need to know that God made a covenant with Abraham?

• God’s Call of Abram (Genesis 12:1–9)
• Abram and Sarai in Egypt (Genesis 12:10–20)

• Abram and Lot return from Egypt (13:1–4)
• Abram and Lot’s Herdsmen Quarrel (13:5–7)
• Abram Offers Lot First Choice of Land (13:8–13)
• God Reaffirms His Promise to Abram (13:14–18)

• The ‘Power play’ War: Four Kings vs. Five Kings (14:1–12)
• Abram’s Rescue Mission (14:13–16)
• Melchizedek and the Blessing (14:17–20)
• Abram Rejects the King of Sodom’s Offer (14:21–24)

• God’s promise of an Heir (15:1–6)
• God’s promise of Land (15:7–11)
• Prophecy of Israel’s Future Suffering (15:12–16)
• The Covenant Ceremony (15:17–21)

• Sarai’s Proposal for an Heir (16:1–3)
• Conflict Between Sarai and Hagar (16:4–6)
• The Angel of the Lord Meets Hagar (16:7–12)
• Hagar Names God (16:13–14)
• Ishmael’s Birth (16:15–16)

• God Appears & Names Abram Abraham (17:1–8)
• The Covenant Sign: Circumcision (17:9–14)
• Sarai Named Sarah, Promised Son (17:15–27)

• Three Visitors at Mamre (18:1–8)
• Promise of Isaac Reaffirmed (18:9–15)
• The Lord Reveals His Plan for Sodom (18:16–22)
• Abraham Intercedes (18:23–33)

• The Angels Arrive in Sodom (19:1–3)
• The Men of Sodom Surround the House (19:4–11)
• Warning to Flee (19:12–14)
• Lot Escapes Reluctantly (19:15–22)
• Destruction of the Cities (19:23–29)
• Lot and His Daughters (19:30–38)

• Abraham Moves to Gerar (20:1–2)
• God Warns Abimelech in a Dream (20:3–7)
• Abimelech Confronts Abraham (20:8–13)
• Restoration and Blessing (20:14–18)

• Birth of Isaac (21:1–7)
• Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away (21:8–21)
• Covenant Between Abraham and Abimelech (21:22–34)

• God’s Test/Journey to Moriah (22:1–8)
• God Intervenes (22:9–14)
• Covenant Reaffirmed with Oath (22:15–18)
• Return to Beersheba (22:19)
• Nahor’s Family Line (22:20–24)

• Sarah’s Death (23:1–2)
• Abraham Seeks a Burial Site (23:3–9)
• Negotiation with Ephron [Not Zach] (23:10–16)
• Burial of Sarah (23:17–20)

Each entry follows the same structure:Term
Definition
See: … (if applicable)
Example: …Accommodation (Divine or Prophetic)
The adaptation of divine truth to the language, concepts, or cultural understanding of a particular audience.
See: Contextualization, Conceptual Borrowing
Example: Paul’s reference to the “unknown god” reflects accommodation to Greek religious categories.Allusion
An indirect or subtle reference to an earlier text, event, or theme, relying on the reader’s recognition.
See: Intertextuality, Echo
Example: The phrase “saw that it was good” functions as an allusion to Eden.Ark (Covenant)
The sacred chest associated with Israel’s covenant, symbolizing divine presence and authority.
See: Veil (Tabernacle/Temple), Menorah
Example: The ark of the covenant is placed behind the veil in the Holy of Holies.Ark (Noah’s)
The vessel built to preserve life through the flood, often read as a symbol of deliverance and new creation.
See: Typology
Example: The ark can be read as a type of salvation through judgment.Authorial Intent
The meaning a text’s human author consciously intended to communicate to the original audience.
See: Exegesis, Hermeneutics
Example: Exegesis seeks to recover authorial intent before later interpretations.Bricolage
The creative reuse of available materials—texts, images, or symbols—to construct new meaning.
See: Recontextualization
Example: Existing imagery is used as bricolage to teach a new theological narrative.Canonical Context
Reading a passage in light of the final, received form of scripture as a whole.
See: Hermeneutics, Sensus Plenior
Example: A prophecy’s meaning expands when read in canonical context.Colophon
A closing note giving information about a text’s production, transmission, or authority.
See: Paratext, Subscription
Example: A final line identifying the speaker functions as a colophon.Conceptual Borrowing
The use of existing cultural or religious concepts as vehicles to convey new or fuller truth.
See: Contextualization, Accommodation
Example: Ammon’s use of the Great Spirit is conceptual borrowing rather than endorsement.Contextualization
Communicating revealed truth using the worldview, symbols, and assumptions of a specific audience.
See: Accommodation, Conceptual Borrowing, Translation (Conceptual)
Example: Ammon contextualizes his teaching for Lamoni’s worldview.Cosmogeny
An account of how the universe or world came into existence.
See: Cosmology
Example: Genesis 1 functions as theological cosmogeny.Cosmology
A culture’s understanding of the structure and order of the universe.
See: Cosmogeny
Example: Ancient Israelite cosmology includes heavens, earth, and waters.Covenant
A formal, binding relationship established by oath, often involving ritual action.
See: Cutting a Covenant
Example: The Abrahamic covenant shapes later biblical theology.Cutting a Covenant
An ancient ritual act symbolizing the seriousness of a covenant, often involving sacrifice.
See: Covenant
Example: Genesis 15 portrays covenant cutting through divided animals.Deuteronomist (D)
The proposed source emphasizing covenant loyalty, law, and centralized worship.
See: Documentary Hypothesis
Example: The Deuteronomist interprets history through obedience and exile.Documentary Hypothesis
A scholarly model proposing that the Pentateuch was composed from multiple sources edited together.
See: Jahwist, Elohist, Deuteronomist, Priestly Source, Redactor
Example: Duplicate narratives are explained through the Documentary Hypothesis.Echo
A faint or partial reuse of earlier language or patterns that evokes prior meaning.
See: Allusion, Intertextuality
Example: The “see, desire, take” pattern echoes Eden.Ekphrasis
Interpretive description of a visual image that generates meaning beyond the original artwork.
See: Recontextualization, Paratext
Example: Image explanations function as ekphrasis.Eisegesis
Reading one’s own ideas or assumptions into a text.
See: Exegesis
Example: Projecting modern categories risks eisegesis.Elohist (E)
A proposed source favoring the divine name Elohim and emphasizing dreams and prophecy.
See: Documentary Hypothesis, Jahwist
Example: The Elohist source often depicts mediated revelation.Embodiment (Divine)
The belief that God the Father possesses a tangible, glorified body.
See: Anthropomorphic Language
Example: Divine embodiment reframes scriptural descriptions of God.Exegesis
Interpretation seeking to draw out a text’s original meaning.
See: Authorial Intent, Hermeneutics
Example: Exegesis analyzes language, genre, and context.Gloss
A brief explanatory comment added to clarify a word or phrase.
See: Marginalia, Interpolation
Example: A gloss may later enter the main text.Hermeneutics
The principles and theories governing interpretation.
See: Exegesis, Reader-Response Interpretation
Example: Hermeneutics shapes how scripture is read.Inclusio
A framing device where a section begins and ends with parallel wording or ideas.
See: Paratext, Motif
Example: Repeating opening and closing phrases form an inclusio.Inculturation
Expressing religious truth through the forms of a local culture.
See: Contextualization
Example: Paul’s Athenian sermon illustrates inculturation.Interpolation
Material inserted into an existing text, often editorial or explanatory.
See: Redaction, Marginalia, Paratext
Example: A sudden aside may indicate interpolation.Interpreters (Book of Mormon)
Sacred translating instruments prepared to aid revelation and translation.
See: Seer, Urim and Thummim (Book of Mormon)
Example: The interpreters assist a seer in translation.Interpretation (Scriptural)
The act of discerning meaning from a scriptural text.
See: Exegesis, Hermeneutics, Reader-Response Interpretation
Example: Interpretation shifts with new literary insight.Intertextuality
The network of relationships among texts where earlier scripture informs later meaning.
See: Allusion, Echo, Typology
Example: Intertextuality links Exodus imagery to later prophecy.Jahwist (J)
A proposed source marked by vivid narrative and early use of YHWH.
See: Documentary Hypothesis, Elohist
Example: The Jahwist portrays God in concrete narrative terms.Leviathan
A biblical symbol of chaos or hostile powers opposed to divine order.
See: Motif, Cosmology
Example: Leviathan imagery depicts God’s victory over chaos.Marginalia
Notes written in manuscript margins that may later be copied into the text.
See: Gloss, Interpolation
Example: Marginalia can become part of scripture’s transmission.Masoretic Text
The authoritative Hebrew text tradition preserved by the Masoretes.
See: Septuagint, Textual Tradition
Example: Most modern Old Testaments follow the Masoretic Text.Menorah
The seven-branched lampstand symbolizing sacred light and worship.
See: Tabernacle, Temple
Example: The menorah represents continual light before God.Merism
A figure of speech using two extremes to represent a whole.
See: Synecdoche
Example: “Heavens and earth” is a merism for all creation.Metaphor
Language describing one thing in terms of another to convey meaning.
See: Anthropomorphic Language
Example: God as a rock is metaphorical language.Metonymy
Referring to something by a closely associated element.
See: Synecdoche
Example: “The throne decided” refers to the ruler.Midrash (Comparative)
An interpretive tradition creatively expanding scripture to draw theological meaning.
See: Recontextualization
Example: Narrative expansion resembles midrashic interpretation.Motif
A recurring narrative element or pattern with thematic significance.
See: Echo, Typology
Example: Exile and return form a recurring motif.Oracle
A divine message or authoritative pronouncement from God.
See: Revelation, Prophet
Example: The prophet delivers an oracle to the people.Paratext
Material that frames or comments on a text, guiding interpretation.
See: Redactor, Recontextualization, Ekphrasis, Inclusio
Example: Captions and explanations function as paratext.Phenomenological Description
Language describing how divine action is experienced without ontological claims.
See: Anthropomorphic Language
Example: Scripture reports what witnesses perceived phenomenologically.Priestly Source (P)
A proposed source emphasizing ritual, holiness, and sacred order.
See: Documentary Hypothesis
Example: Genesis 1 is often attributed to P.Reader-Response Interpretation
An approach emphasizing meaning as experienced by the reader.
See: Hermeneutics
Example: Reader-response focuses on contemporary resonance.Reception History
The study of how texts or images are interpreted over time.
See: Recontextualization, Paratext
Example: Reception history traces changing readings of scripture.Redaction
The editorial shaping and arrangement of inherited material.
See: Redactor, Documentary Hypothesis
Example: Redaction weaves multiple traditions together.Redactor
An editor who combines and frames earlier sources into a unified text.
See: Redaction
Example: A redactor preserves parallel traditions.Rubric
An instructional or explanatory heading guiding use or reading.
See: Paratext
Example: A rubric indicates when a text is recited.Scholion
A formal explanatory note, often longer than a gloss.
See: Gloss, Paratext
Example: A scholion explains a difficult passage.Scroll
A rolled manuscript format used in antiquity.
See: Shema
Example: Scripture is read from a scroll.Seer
One enabled by God to perceive hidden or spiritual realities.
See: Oracle, Revelation
Example: A seer receives knowledge beyond ordinary means.Seer Stone
A stone used in some Restoration accounts as an aid to revelation or translation.
See: Seer, Urim and Thummim (Restoration / LDS usage)
Example: Historical accounts mention use of a seer stone.Semantic Range
The range of meanings a word or concept can carry.
See: Conceptual Borrowing
Example: Paul exploits the semantic range of “god.”Sensus Plenior
A fuller divine meaning not fully grasped by the human author.
See: Canonical Context
Example: Later revelation reveals a sensus plenior.Septuagint (LXX)
An ancient Greek translation of Hebrew scripture.
See: Masoretic Text, Textual Tradition
Example: New Testament quotations often follow the Septuagint.Shema
The declaration which begins,“Hear, O Israel,” expressing covenant loyalty and divine unity.
See: Covenant
Example: The Shema functions as Israel’s confession.Similitude
A narrative resemblance teaching spiritual truth.
See: Typology, Motif
Example: The brass serpent is treated as a similitude.Source Criticism
Analysis seeking to identify sources behind a composite text.
See: Documentary Hypothesis
Example: Source criticism distinguishes literary layers.Subscription
A brief note placed at the end of a text.
See: Paratext, Colophon
Example: A closing line serves as a subscription.Superscription
A heading placed before a text.
See: Paratext
Example: Psalm titles are superscriptions.Synecdoche
A figure of speech where part represents whole or vice versa.
See: Metonymy, Merism
Example: “All flesh” can mean all people.Tabernacle
A portable sacred structure where God’s presence dwelt.
See: Temple, Veil (Tabernacle/Temple)
Example: The tabernacle precedes the temple.Temple
A sacred space associated with covenant and divine presence.
See: Tabernacle
Example: The temple functions as heaven and earth meeting.Temple (Biblical)
Permanent Israelite sacred structures such as Solomon’s Temple.
See: Temple
Example: Solomon’s Temple centralizes worship.Temple (Book of Mormon)
Nephite sacred spaces patterned after Israelite temples.
See: Temple
Example: Nephi builds a temple after Solomon’s pattern.Textual Tradition
The history of a text’s transmission and preservation.
See: Masoretic Text, Septuagint
Example: Textual traditions preserve variant readings.Tradition History
The study of how traditions developed before being written.
See: Source Criticism
Example: Covenant stories circulated orally first.Translation (Conceptual)
Rendering meaning across worldviews rather than languages alone.
See: Contextualization
Example: Ammon performs conceptual translation.Translation (Revelatory)
Producing a text through divine assistance rather than conventional methods alone.
See: Interpreters (Book of Mormon), Seer
Example: The translation is described as revelatory.Typology
Interpreting earlier persons or events as prefiguring later fulfillment.
See: Similitude, Intertextuality, Motif
Example: Exodus is read typologically.Urim and Thummim (Biblical)
Sacred objects used for priestly inquiry and guidance.
See: Oracle
Example: Leaders seek guidance through the Urim and Thummim.Urim and Thummim (Book of Mormon)
Interpreting instruments associated with revelation and translation.
See: Interpreters (Book of Mormon), Seer
Example: The record associates interpreters with revelation.Urim and Thummim (Restoration / LDS usage)
A flexible term in early Restoration discourse for translation or revelatory instruments.
See: Seer Stone, Translation (Revelatory)
Example: The term is used variably in early accounts.

Similar sounding names can carry a wide range of associations with them.

Potiphar = Potiphera = ‘PadiPara’, which would mean ‘He whom Ra has given’This naming convention was used throughout the New Kingdom period of Egypt, but begin in the Middle Egyeptian periods. This would have to be a different Potiphar that the Egyptian Potiphar who was Captain of the Guard, and who took Joseph as a slave was not yet born.