Literary Devices – Bereshit 18/0

Literary Devices – Bereshit 18

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Key Words

צחק (to laugh)

• Tanakh Lab demonstrates that the root “צחק” is the word that appears with the greatest frequency in this chapter relative to the rest of Tanakh. This word is associated strongly with the narrative of Yitzchak, in this chapter as well as in Chapters 17 and 21.
• For analysis of the significance of laughter in Yitzchak’s narrative and legacy, see Parshat Vayera - Laughter and Isaac by R. Alex Israel.

מהר (to hurry) Tanakh Lab demonstrates that the root מהר” (to hurry) is the word that appears with third greatest frequency in this chapter relative to the rest of Tanakh. Tanakh Lab also demonstrates that the chapter most linguistically similar to this chapter is Bereshit 24, about Rivka’s hospitality, in which the same root appears. Similarly, by clicking on the word “vayaratz” (“and he ran”) in verse 2, one can see that the first two appearances of this root in the Torah are in this chapter, and the next four are in Bereshit 24. These words connote the enthusiasm of Avraham’s and Rivka’s hospitality

n the section of the chapter about Sedom (verses 16-33), Tanakh Lab demonstrates that the word “tzaddik” is one of the most frequently used words relative to the rest of Bereshit and the rest of Tanakh.  The related word “tzedakah” also appears (verse 19), as well as the connected word “mishpat” (verses 19 and 25).  Hashem says of Avraham that he will pursue tzedakah umishpat, and shortly thereafter Avraham demands of Hashem that He practice mishpat.  These words emphasize the central ideas of the story about the lack of righteousness in the culture of Sedom, and Avraham’s compassion on Sedom as a manifestation of righteousness.