Literary Devices – Shemot 33

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The Tanakh Lab demonstrates that various forms of the noun "פָּנִים" appear ten times in this chapter. The word first appears in the statement that an angel, rather than Hashem, will guide the people; it then comes up in the context of the revelations to Moshe and his requests that Hashem's face (and not an angel) accompany them. This key word reflects the chapter’s theme of seeking Hashem’s presence and revelation after the sin of the calf.

The Tanakh Lab demonstrates that, though the word "עדי" (adornment) appears only three times in the chapter, it is 199 times more prevalent here than elsewhere in Tanakh, suggesting that it is a significant word in the unit.¹ The verses highlight how the nation needed to remove the adornments they wore at Sinai during revelation, symbolic perhaps of a lowering of their status or mourning.

עדי / עד – Cassuto suggests that "עדי" is a play on words with “עד” (witness/ testimony). The nation had worn these adornments at Mount Sinai during revelation, and they perhaps served as testimony to the covenant. After sinning, though, the people were no longer worthy of bearing testimony to the covenant, and so they needed to remove their adornments.²
עדי / מועד – Amos Hakham³ suggests that “אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד” (verse 7) constitutes a play on words with “עדי”, conveying to the people that it (not their jewelry) is the real national treasure.

Literary Devices – Shemot 33/0