Our passage begins, “But Jacob dwelt in the land of his father’s sojournings as [i.e., where his father Isaac was only] a resident alien–in the land of Canaan. These are the toledot of (accounts belonging/pertaining to) Jacob” (author’s translation). Both statements project a sense of transition. Previously, the narrative introduced Lot, then Ishmael, then Abraham’s sons by Keturah, only to inform us by laying their stories aside that none would inherit God’s promises to Abraham. Now, we see,...