In | Nested Narratives

Stories in the Bible can stand alone—and we often remember them that way. Think of David and Goliath, or Jesus walking on the water. But narratives are built with linkages to the stories around them to create larger narrative networks. A story within a story is called a nested narrative. Think of it like layers of an onion skin, inner layers buried under outer layers.

In The Art of Biblical Narrative, Robert Alter shows how the story of Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38 is subtly linked to the story of Joseph. Joseph’s story seems to have been suspended after his kidnap in chapter 37 and then re-engaged as he enters Egypt in chapter 39. Judah’s story is nested inside the Joseph network. You can find nested narratives especially for major biblical characters such as Moses, David, Jesus and Paul. Keeping an eye out for these helps you see larger narrative themes and plots.