Dictionary:Hendiadys/0
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Hendiadys
Overview
A hendiadys is a figure of speech in which two words connected by a conjunction ("and") are used to express but a single idea. Often the hendiadys consists of either two nouns or two adjectives which take the place of a noun and its modifier. For example, one might say "nice and warm" to mean "nicely warm" or "sound and fury" instead of "furious sound". The word itself derives from the Greek and literally means "one by means of two" ; hence the Hebrew term "שניים שהם אחד" (two which are one). In Tanakh there are several phrases which have been understood by some to be a hendiadys, sometimes shedding new light on the verses in which they appear.Proposed Hendiadys in Tanakh
The following phrases might be examples of Biblical hendiadys:
- אוב וידעוני
- אורים ותומים
- אמת ומשפט
- גֵּר וְתוֹשָׁב1 – Though the phrase literally means "a sojourner and a settler", it likely refers to only one person, a foreigner who has come to settle, or a "resident alien". See Rashi and R. D"Z Hoffman to Vayikra 25:46-47 who support this reading by noting that the term appears at the end of the verse also without the conjunction, "גֵר תּוֹשָׁב".
- חסד ואמת – Bereshit 24:27 See Radak and Ralbag who suggest that the phrase means "mercy and truth (in the connotation of receiving one's just due)". It is possible though, that the phrase is a hendiadys meaning "steadfast kindness", for "אמת" in Tanakh often refers to faithfulness rather than truth.
- חֵלֶק וְנַחֲלָה – In Bereshit 31:14, Rachel and Leah tell Yaakov, "הַעוֹד לָנוּ חֵלֶק וְנַחֲלָה בְּבֵית אָבִינוּ". Malbim and R. D"Z Hoffmann suggest that "חֵלֶק" refers to a portion or gift, while "נַחֲלָה" refers to an inheritance and the sisters are saying that their father has not bequeathed them a gift, let alone an inheritance. It is possible, though, that the phrase is a hendiadys and means "a share in the inheritance".
- חֹק וּמִשְׁפָּט – Shemot 15:25, Devarim 4:8, Yehoshua 24:25 and more
- מִשְׁפָּט וּצְדָקָה – Shemuel II 8:15, Melakhim I 10:9, Yeshayahu 9:6, 32:16, 33:5, 59:14, Yirmeyahu 4:2, 9:23, and many more.2
- נָע וָנָד – Bereshit 4:12
- עני ואביון – See Tehillim 35:10
- עִצְּבוֹנֵךְ וְהֵרֹנֵךְ – In Bereshit 3:16, Hashem punishes Chavvah: "הַרְבָּה אַרְבֶּה עִצְּבוֹנֵךְ וְהֵרֹנֵךְ". LIterally, thi smight translate as "I will greatly increase "your travails and your conception", leading Rashi to distinguish between the anguish of childrearing and that of pregnancy.
- תֹהוּ וָבֹהוּ – Bereshit 1:2
