Difference between revisions of "Literary Devices – Bereshit 18/0"
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Version as of 06:31, 2 July 2023
Literary Devices – Bereshit 18
Structure
Strategic Repetition Tanakh is often strategic about how it repeats information or dialogue. In verses 13-14, Hashem repeats Sarah’s words to Avraham, but leaves out her reference to Avraham’s advanced age and to her having withered. As Rashi points out, Hashem leaves out her mention of Avraham’s old age to preserve peace between them, and one might add that perhaps He leaves out her description of her being withered out of respect for her.
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. This root is accompanied by two appearances of the root "רוץ" (to run). Together they connote the enthusiasm of Avraham in greeting and serving his guests.
- Interestingly, according to the Tanakh Lab1, the chapter most linguistically similar to this chapter is Bereshit 24, discussing Rivka’s hospitality, in which the same two roots appear.2 Rivka, too, rushes and runs to provide hospitality.