Literary Devices – Bereshit 14/0

Literary Devices – Bereshit 14

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Key Words

• רְכוּשׁ –Tanakh Lab demonstrates that one of the most significant key words in the chapter is רְכוּשׁ, appearing 160 more times in this unit than elsewhere in Tanakh. We are told that the four kings take the property of both Sedom in general and of Lot in particular (14:11) and that Avraham retrieves both (14:16).  When the king of Sedom later tells Avraham that he may keep the property, Avraham famously replies that he wants no part in the spoils, lest Sedom think "אֲנִי הֶעֱשַׁרְתִּי אֶת אַבְרָם."  The repeated word, thus highlights the contrast between the value systems of Sedom and Avraham, the former being marked by materialism and reliance on the self, and the latter by spirituality and reliance on Hashem.

Character Titles and Relationship Epithets

Avraham

• Throughout the chapter Avram is referred to by his proper name alone, with one exception. In Bereshit 14:13, when he first appears on the scene, he is called “אַבְרָם הָעִבְרִי”. The concordance reveals  that this is an appellation that is predominantly used in contexts that involve non-Jews, often serving to contrast ethnicities.¹ This may explain the statement in Midrash RabbahAbout Midrash Rabbah Sectioned on this verse that Avraham is called “Ha-Ivri” because he stood on one side, while everyone else in the world stood on the other side

Lot

In contrast to Chapter 13, where Lot is never named in reference to his relationship to Avraham, throughout Chapter 14 he is consistently referred to  in this manner. Lot is identified in 14:12 as “the son of Avraham’s brother,” in verse 14 as his "brother" and in verse 16 as "Lot, his brother.” 

• These relational epithets highlight Avraham’s feeling of responsibility toward Lot.
• Nonetheless, there is a somewhat awkward reference to Lot’s property in 14:12, which interrupts the epithet : “They took Lot and his property, the son of Avraham’s brother.”  The reference to property (which played a role in the separation of Avraham and Lot in Ch. 13) might allude to the distance that remains in the relationship between Avraham and Lot. 

Hashem

• י״י אֵל עֶלְיוֹן – In verse 22, Avraham refers to Hashem in this manner.
• אֵל עֶלְיוֹן – Earlier, in 14:18, Malki Tzedek is referred to as a priest to “El Elyon” and in 14:19-20 he blesses El Elyon, or Avraham in the name of El Elyon.

The concordance² reveals that this term is found only in this story and in Tehillim 78:35, where it refers to Hashem specifically.  "El", though, is also a generic name for any god. As such, commentators debate whether Malki Tzedek was a monotheist, and like Avraham, referring to Hashem with this epithet (Radak) or whether he simply believed that a god named El was the highest in the pantheon (Shadal). If the latter, Avraham might intentionally specify that El Elyon is none other than Hashem.³

¹ The BDB definition emphasizes that the term “עברי" is generally used by non-Israelites and serves “to distinguish Israelites from foreigners".

² In the Mikraot Gedolot on Bereshit 14:18, click on the words “El Elyon” and select Concordance from the drop-down.

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