Dr. Alice C. Linsley
An important feature of the Hebrew social organization was their moiety structure. They were organized into two separate ritual groups (moieties), and it is clear from the biblical data that the moieties associated with one of the Hebrew ancestors more than the other.
The Kenite and Midianite metalworkers associated with Cain/Kain whose descendant Tubal-Cain is described as a metal worker in Genesis 4.
The Sethite Hebrew associated with Seth who appears to have been a deified Nilotic ancestor, as is suggested by the discovery of Seth images at Nekhen on the Nile, the earliest known Hebrew site.
The two moieties helped each other but were often in competition. Descriptions of the Horites and Sethites are plentiful in ancient texts such as the Ancient Pyramid Texts (2400-2200 BC). These descriptions indicate that the Horites and the Sethites maintained separate settlements. Utterance 308 addresses them: "Hail to you, Horus in the Horite Mounds! Hail to you, Horus in the Sethite Mounds!"
Bride exchange between the descendants of two brothers such as Cain and Seth, or Ham and Shem, was a common practice among the Hebrew. The diagram above shows that Naamah, a descendant of Cain, married her cousin Methuselah, a descendant of Seth. The Horite and the Sethite moieties were bound together by the exchange of high-status women between the Hebrew clans.
Other sons who were sent away include Cain whose descendants the Kenites were living in Canaan, which is כנען, pronounced kena'an. Moses served his maternal uncle Jethro in Midian (avunculocal residence). The practice of sending away non-ascendant sons is mentioned in Genesis 26. Abraham gave gifts to his sons and sent them away from his proper heir Isaac.
The custom of sending away non-ascendant sons drove the Hebrew dispersion out of the Nile Valley well before the time of Abraham (c. 2000 BC).
Applying kinship analysis to the biblical texts makes it possible to detect the historical realities behind Jewish midrash. Certain literary devices are used to develop the Jewish narrative. One is the device is jealousy among brothers. Though the Genesis story does not explain why Cain killed Abel, midrash supplies the explanation that he was jealous. Likewise, Joseph’s treatment by his brothers is explained as an act motivated by jealousy.
Midrashim often employ the device of slavery to explain why a prominent Hebrew is not living in Judah, Israel, or the land of Canaan. It is used to explain why Joseph was in Egypt, why Daniel was in Babylon, and why Mordecai and Esther were in Persia. In the sixth century BC, many Judean noblemen were taken to Babylon, and Babylon was conquered by the Persians who took captives to Susa. These events have been historically verified. Midrash often embroiders historical events to convey a theological message.
The Sethite Hebrew associated with Seth who appears to have been a deified Nilotic ancestor, as is suggested by the discovery of Seth images at Nekhen on the Nile, the earliest known Hebrew site.
The two moieties helped each other but were often in competition. Descriptions of the Horites and Sethites are plentiful in ancient texts such as the Ancient Pyramid Texts (2400-2200 BC). These descriptions indicate that the Horites and the Sethites maintained separate settlements. Utterance 308 addresses them: "Hail to you, Horus in the Horite Mounds! Hail to you, Horus in the Sethite Mounds!"
The more prestigious Hebrew settlements were those of the Horites. These were at a higher elevation that those of the Sethite Hebrew. Utterance 470 of the Ancient Pyramid Texts contrasts the Horite mounds with the mounds of Seth, designating the Horite Mounds "the High Mounds."
The Hebrew married only members of their royal priest caste. Marriage between members of the moieties strengthened the Hebrew identity. and preserved the caste's wealth. For example, the lineages of Cain and Seth are linked by a pattern of recurrent marriage between the numerous Horite and Sethite clans.
The Hebrew married only members of their royal priest caste. Marriage between members of the moieties strengthened the Hebrew identity. and preserved the caste's wealth. For example, the lineages of Cain and Seth are linked by a pattern of recurrent marriage between the numerous Horite and Sethite clans.
Cousin brides were especially important links between the Horite and Sethite Hebrew clans. The Hebrew men who ruled over territories maintained two wives in separate settlements. The firstborn son of the first wife ruled over the territory after his father died. The firstborn son of the cousin wife was sent to serve the household of his maternal uncle. Jacob was sent to serve his maternal uncle Laban. Likewise, Joseph went to serve his maternal uncle Potiphar in Egypt.
The custom of sending away non-ascendant sons drove the Hebrew dispersion out of the Nile Valley well before the time of Abraham (c. 2000 BC).
Midrashim often employ the device of slavery to explain why a prominent Hebrew is not living in Judah, Israel, or the land of Canaan. It is used to explain why Joseph was in Egypt, why Daniel was in Babylon, and why Mordecai and Esther were in Persia. In the sixth century BC, many Judean noblemen were taken to Babylon, and Babylon was conquered by the Persians who took captives to Susa. These events have been historically verified. Midrash often embroiders historical events to convey a theological message.
Related reading: The Hebrew Were a Caste; Competition Between the Horites and the Sethites; Why Nekhen is Anthropologically Significant; Royal Sons and Their Maternal Uncles; Literary Motifs of Jewish Midrashim; Cousin Brides Among the Hebrew
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