Difference between revisions of "Literary Devices – Bemidbar 11/0"
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<category>Key Words and Sounds | <category>Key Words and Sounds | ||
<subcategory>רַע | <subcategory>רַע | ||
| − | + | Bemidbar 10 ends with a five-fold repetition of the root "טוב" (good). At the beginning of Bemidbar 11, there is a shift to the word “רע” (bad), which appears four times in the chapter.  Additionally, the sound “רע” appears several times in etymologically unrelated words, such as in verse 3: “וַיִּקְרָא... תַּבְעֵרָה... בָעֲרָה". This switch indicates the shift from the nation’s harmonious journey in the beginning of Bemidbar to the discontent and rebellion that ultimately derails their mission. | |
| − | + | </subcategory> | |
| − | </ | + | <subcategory>אסף |
| + | <p>The root אסף (to gather) appears six times in the chapter as a verb, and one more time in the noun "אסַפְסֻף" (mixed multitudes).  It is used both in reference to gathering the quail and with regards to gathering the 70 elders who were to aid Moshe. The word, thus, serves to connect the two themes of the chapter: the nation's complaint about quail and Moshe's frustration with the nation.  Its usage might further suggests that the gathering of elders was perhaps a solution not only to Moshe's feelings of despair but necessary also to solve the nation''s problematic lusting.</p> | ||
</subcategory> | </subcategory> | ||
<subcategory>Articles | <subcategory>Articles | ||
Version as of 05:39, 27 March 2024
Literary Devices – Bemidbar 11
Structure
Parallels and Contrasts
Key Words and Sounds
אסף
The root אסף (to gather) appears six times in the chapter as a verb, and one more time in the noun "אסַפְסֻף" (mixed multitudes). It is used both in reference to gathering the quail and with regards to gathering the 70 elders who were to aid Moshe. The word, thus, serves to connect the two themes of the chapter: the nation's complaint about quail and Moshe's frustration with the nation. Its usage might further suggests that the gathering of elders was perhaps a solution not only to Moshe's feelings of despair but necessary also to solve the nation''s problematic lusting.
Articles
- Watch Bemidbar: The Story of Two Generations, by Dr. Yael Ziegler, for discussion of the use of these key words and what they represents about the psychology of the generation that left Egypt.
- Listen to Of Lusts and Laments (beginning at 15:24), by R. Chanoch Waxman, for contrast of Moshe’s perspective on the journey with that of the nation, as represented by the shift from “טוב” to “רע” .
- See Leitwort (VI), by Prof. Yonatan Grossman, for analysis of the phenomenon of contrasting pairs of milim manchot in Biblical narratives.
- See Repetition of Sounds, by Prof. Yonatan Grossman, for discussion of the ways in which Tanakh makes use of the aural qualities of words (similar to the sound of “ra” in Bemidbar 11) to express themes and tones.
