The lecture was devoted to the literary, historical and sociological analysis of the story of Joseph in Gen 37-50, which differs from both the patriarchal story in Gen 12-36 and the story of the exit from Egypt recounted in the book of Exodus. The following hypotheses have been tested: the original story of Joseph is a diasporic novel, composed during the Persian period, in opposition to a negative vision of Egypt. Its author seems to be located in Egypt, and uses Egyptian traditions and themes.
The P priestly current is not familiar with this novel, which can be understood as an alternative to the discourse of Jacob's family's descent into and ascent from Egypt.