Literary Devices – Shemot 12/0
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Literary Devices – Shemot 12
Structure
Parallels and Contrasts
Key Words
Character Titles
Symbolism
Blood is an important symbol in the story of the Exodus, related to both punishment and covenant / redemption.
- Blood appears twice in this chapter, first in the context of the miracle of turning water to blood and then in the story of the circumcision of Moshe’s son.
- Later in the narrative, the plagues begin with blood.
- The exodus itself is connected to the blood of the Passover offering that the Israelites smear on their doorposts.
- The alternating symbols of blood as punitive plague and blood as symbol of the covenant (both circumcision and the Paschal sacrifice) hint to the underlying theme of the Exodus as representing the transition from being slaves of Paroh to being servants of Hashem.