The essays compiled in this festschrift deal with different aspects of the literary genesis and the biblical and non-biblical reception of the patriarchal narratives (Gen 12-50). Besides classic literary-critical approaches, cultural anthropological and religious-historical perspectives are also discussed. Current proposals concerning the origins of the Pentateuch are subjected to critical examination and developed further. This collection of essays pays tribute to Matthias Kockert, long-standing editor of the book review in the Zeitschrift fur Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft (ZAW) and commentator of the Abraham narrative."