Studies in the Patriarchal Narratives reflects a general conviction that a historical perspective is needed for Old Testament criticism as well as a particular interest in the history of the criticism of the patriarchal narratives. The authors has reacted against the imbalance which results from an undue concentration on what is supposed to be the 'new evidence' which is available for the interpretation of the patriarchal archaeological discoveries have revolutionized the study of the narratives and that, as a consequences, there is nothing to learn from their earlier criticism.