Genesis 12:10-20 is clearly an exodus story, but Jerome Walsh ( Style and Structure in Biblical Hebrew Narrative ) points out that the exodus story is told chiastically. The following is a modified version of his outline:
A. Abram in Egypt to escape famine, 12:10
B. Sarai taken to harem, 12:11-15 (Sarai poses as sister)
C. Pharaoh treats Abram well, 12:16
C’. Yahweh strikes Pharaoh with plagues, 12:17-19a
B’. Pharaoh returns Sarai, 12:19b (“She is my sister”)
A’. Pharaoh expels Abram, 12:20
At the center of the structure is another chiasm in the list of goods that Pharaoh gifts to Abram:
A. Flocks and herds
B. Jackasses
C. Men servants
C’. Female servants
B’. Jenny asses
A’. Camels
After these six gifts, Pharaoh gives Abram a seventh, his bride, the new Eve, mother of the living.
And, the longer section of the overall chiasm (vv. 11-14) is also arranged in a reverse symmetry:
A. Approaching Egypt; “You are beautiful,” v 11
B. They will kill me, v 12
C. Say you are my sister, v 13a
B’. That I may live, v 13b
A’. Arrival in Egypt; Sarai is very beautiful, v 14
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