Doublets: Stories Told More Than Once

From ChatGPT, January 5, 2025.

Here’s a categorized list of stories told multiple times in the Old Testament (OT) and New Testament (NT), along with brief explanations of their repetitions.

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Old Testament

1. The Creation and Early Humanity
   • Creation of the World:
     • Genesis 1:1–2:3: Seven-day creation account.
     • Genesis 2:4–25: More detailed focus on Adam and Eve.
2. The Flood
   • Genesis 6–9: The story of Noah’s Ark is retold with overlapping and sometimes differing details, particularly from the perspective of two interwoven sources (Priestly and Yahwist).
3. The Covenant with Abraham
   • God’s covenant with Abraham is revisited multiple times with variations:
     • Genesis 12, 15, 17: Promises of descendants and land.
4. The Wife-Sister Narratives
   • Abraham claiming Sarah is his sister:
     • Genesis 12:10–20: Pharaoh.
     • Genesis 20: Abimelech.
     • Genesis 26: Isaac repeats this pattern with Rebekah.
5. The Exodus and Covenant
   • Retold in multiple parts of the Pentateuch, with differing emphases:
     • Exodus 12–14: Original event.
     • Deuteronomy 5–6, 26: Retold during Moses’ speeches.
6. The Ten Commandments
   • Exodus 20:1–17: Original giving of the Law.
   • Deuteronomy 5:6–21: Moses’ retelling with slight variations.
7. The Spies and the Promised Land
   • Spies sent to scout Canaan:
     • Numbers 13–14: Original account.
     • Deuteronomy 1:19–46: Retelling by Moses.
8. David’s Rise and Reign
   • Major events are paralleled in 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel and retold in 1 Chronicles:
     • Anointing of David: 1 Samuel 16 vs. 1 Chronicles 11–12.
     • Bringing the Ark to Jerusalem: 2 Samuel 6 vs. 1 Chronicles 15–16.
9. Kings of Israel and Judah
   • Stories of the kings are extensively paralleled:
     • 1 & 2 Kings: Historical narrative.
     • 1 & 2 Chronicles: Retelling with theological focus.
10. From Literature and History’s Episode 18 here.
    1. Two times are recorded why Isaac was named by Abraham, Genesis 17:15-19 (P source) and Genesis 21:1-3. (P & J sources)
    2. two different tales of Jacob journeying to Mesopotamia, [I am not sure this is a doublet as one could argue they are separate events. More research needed.]
       • Jacob’s Journey to Find a Wife (Genesis 28:10–22) Jacob leaves Beersheba and journeys to Haran to find a wife from his mother’s family, as instructed by Isaac and Rebekah.
       • Jacob Flees to Escape Esau’s Wrath (Genesis 27:41–46; Genesis 29:1–30) Jacob flees from Esau’s anger after deceitfully receiving Isaac’s blessing meant for Esau.
    3. two takes of God changing Jacob’s name to Israel,
       • Genesis 32:28 (ASV): This account occurs during Jacob’s mysterious wrestling match with a divine being. After Jacob prevails, the being says: “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for thou hast striven with God and with men, and hast prevailed.”
       • Genesis 35:10 (ASV): This second account happens after Jacob returns to Bethel, where God reaffirms the name change as part of a divine encounter: “And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.”
    4. two stories of how Moses got water from a rock. Note differences in location, instructions, and outcomes.
       • Exodus 17:1–7 (ASV): This event takes place at Rephidim, shortly after the Israelites leave Egypt. The people complain about the lack of water, and God instructs Moses to strike the rock at Horeb with his staff. Water flows out for the people to drink.
       • Numbers 20:2–13 (ASV): This event occurs later, during the Israelites’ wilderness journey at Kadesh. Again, the people complain about the lack of water. This time, God commands Moses to speak to the rock. However, Moses, frustrated with the people’s rebellion, strikes the rock twice with his staff. Water flows out, but God rebukes Moses and Aaron for not demonstrating proper faith, which leads to their being barred from entering the Promised Land.

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New Testament

1. The Four Gospels
   • Many events are told across the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) and John:
     • Baptism of Jesus: Matthew 3:13–17, Mark 1:9–11, Luke 3:21–22, John 1:29–34.
     • Feeding of the 5,000: Matthew 14:13–21, Mark 6:30–44, Luke 9:10–17, John 6:1–14.
     • Passion and Resurrection: Parallels across all Gospels with unique details.
2. Paul’s Conversion
   • Told three times in Acts:
     • Acts 9:1–19: Original account.
     • Acts 22:6–21: Paul’s testimony before the crowd.
     • Acts 26:12–18: Paul’s defense before King Agrippa.
3. The Last Supper
   • Matthew 26:26–29, Mark 14:22–25, Luke 22:14–20, and 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (Paul’s account).
4. The Great Commission
   • Appears with variations:
     • Matthew 28:16–20: Sending the disciples.
     • Mark 16:15–18: Preach to all creation.
     • Luke 24:44–49: Message of repentance.
     • Acts 1:6–8: Power through the Holy Spirit.
5. Peter’s Denial of Jesus
   • Matthew 26:69–75, Mark 14:66–72, Luke 22:54–62, and John 18:15–18, 25–27.
6. The Resurrection Appearances
   • Multiple Gospel accounts overlap and diverge in details:
     • Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20–21.

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Notable Observations:

• Chronicles vs. Samuel/Kings: Chronicles revises and summarizes earlier stories with theological interpretations.
• Gospel Parallels: Each Gospel writer tailored narratives for their audiences, emphasizing different themes.
• Acts and Paul’s Letters: Stories in Acts often parallel themes or events Paul discusses in his epistles.