Literary Devices – Bereshit 21/0

Literary Devices – Bereshit 21

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Key Words

צחק

• One of the guiding words in the story of Yitzchak's birth and the Banishment of Yishmael (Bereshit 21:1-21) is “צחק".  Yitzchak is mentioned six times, the verb "צחק" two times, and the noun "צחוק" once.¹ The use of this word reflects the tension between the exultant joy of Sarah and Avraham and the scorn of Yishmael, both of which are expressed in laughter.² 
• For exploration and analysis of the significance of laughter in the Yitzchak narratives, see:
  
  • מ' גרסיאל, מדרשי שמות במקרא, (רמת-גן תשמ"ח): 156-157
  • "מילות מפתח ככותרת תת-קרקעית לפרשיות במקרא ושאלת ממחרת השבת" by Professor Yehuda Elitzur.
  • Parshat Vayera - Laughter and Isaac by R. Alex Israel.

בן (Son)

• See Tanakh Lab that the word which appears most frequently in Bereshit 20:1-21 is "בן", son, appearing afull 14 times. The word reflects the central question of the unit – which of Avraham's sons are to be considered his spiritual heirs?

Character Titles

¹ As seen in the concordance, the root plays a role throughout the Yitzchak narratives, starting with the divine promise of Yitzchak’s birth.

² It also indicates the release from the norms of nature manifest both in the birth of Yitzchak and, according to Chazal’s reading, in Yishmael’s breach of moral boundaries.