Bobzammel

Many of those who follow the JEPD theory believe that the relationships between the families in Genesis are meant to metaphorically describe Israel's relations with nearby neibhors at the time of the composition. For instance, the S & G story paints two of Israel's enemies as "redneck" bastards; likewise the Ishmael and Edom stories explain Israel's rocky relationships with it's "brother" countries. Likewise, Exodus and later stories seem to suggest that the stories were altered to favor certain aspects of the Priesthood and potray their rivals as morally corrupt.

Any thoughts?

Old Man

Since S & G was swallowed up in salt and fire long before Israel existed, difficult to see how it could be portrayed as a "nearby neighbo(u)r".

Otherwise you'll need to explain more before I can have an idea of what you are talking about. I did read a theory that the political rivalry between the Southern and Northern Israeli kingdoms after D & S might have has an influence on the final composition of the Pentateuch, but this seems to be something different.

Bobzammel

Oops.

Should have made that clearer. At the close of the S & G story, Lot is raped by his two daughters.(There is an irony here considering he was willing to throw them to the crowd) They become pregnant as a result, and their offspring turn out to be two of Israel's enemies.
In edition, the Esau/Jacob story illustrates the relations between Israel and it's neibhor Edom.
There are more, as well. I suggest reading "Who wrote the bible" as well as the Oxford Annotated bible and other texts. These show that many of the books of the bible are politically biased.