Objects — S

sackcloth

Jacob puts sackcloth around his waist when he mourns Joseph, believing a wild animal has devoured him in Genesis 37.

sand

Sand on the seashore pictures the multitude of Abraham's and Jacob's promised descendants, and Joseph gathers grain like the sand of the sea during Egypt's years of plenty in Genesis 41.

scarlet-thread

A scarlet thread tied to the hand of Tamar's first twin at birth marks which child seemed to come first in Genesis 38.

seal

Judah's seal is one of the personal items Tamar keeps as a pledge when he sleeps with her at Enaim in Genesis 38.

she-goat

She-goats appear in Abram's covenant rite, in Rebekah's meal for Isaac, among the droves Jacob sends to Esau, and as the kid Judah promises Tamar at Enaim in Genesis 38.

sheaves

Sheaves of grain appear in Joseph's first dream in Genesis 37; in Genesis 41 ears of grain fill Pharaoh's second dream and Joseph stores grain against the coming famine.

sheep

Sheep mark pastoral wealth and appear at the well where Jacob meets Rachel, in Laban's flock-wages dispute in Genesis 30, and at Judah's sheep-shearing at Timnah in Genesis 38.

shekel

Shekels of silver are used to value Abraham's purchase from Ephron, to pay for Joseph when his brothers sell him, and Joseph gives Benjamin three hundred shekels of silver in Genesis 45.

shield

Yahweh identifies himself as Abram's shield in the opening promise of Genesis 15.

silver

Silver is listed among Abram's wealth, appears in restitution and land purchase accounts, is returned in the brothers' sacks by Joseph, and Joseph gives Benjamin three hundred shekels of silver in Genesis 45.

skin-of-water

A skin of water is given to Hagar and later refilled at the wilderness well.

smoke

Abraham saw smoke rising from the destroyed plain like smoke from a furnace.

spring

The spring near Nahor's city is where the servant prays, meets Rebekah, and confirms God's guidance.

staff

Jacob recalls crossing the Jordan with only his staff before God multiplied him into two camps; Judah leaves his staff with Tamar as a pledge at Enaim in Genesis 38.

stars

The stars are used repeatedly to picture the future number of Abraham's descendants.

stew

Stew appears in Jacob's lentil stew exchange with Esau and in the special dish Rebekah prepares to secure Isaac's blessing.

stone

Jacob uses stones as his pillow and covenant markers at Bethel, at the well, and in the Galeed cairn with Laban.

straw

Straw is supplied for the camels when the servant is received into Laban and Bethuel's household.

sword

The sword is the weapon Simeon and Levi take up to slaughter the men of Shechem in Genesis 34, avenging their sister Dinah.