Literary Devices – Bereshit 24/0
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Literary Devices – Bereshit 24
Structure
Parallels and Contrasts
Key Words
Character Titles
Hashem Throughout the chapter, Hashem is referred to by His proper name, Hashem. At times, though this name is accompanied by an epithet:
- י״י אֱלֹהֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם וֵאלֹהֵי הָאָרֶץ – Avraham refers to Hashem in this manner in Bereshit 24:3 and 7, the only place in Torah where this appellation is used.1 It is interesting that Avraham uses this term for Hashem when sending his servant to another part of the world to seek a wife for Yitzchak.
- Commentaries – Commentators discuss why Avraham uses this name for Hashem.
- Rashi maintains that it implies that when Avraham was in his homeland, Hashem was only God of the heavens for no one on earth recognized Him, but now Avraham has succeeded in spreading word of Hashem on earth.
- Radak2 suggest that this appellation is meant to convey to the servant that Hashem will hold him accountable for the fulfillment of his oath.
- Ibn Ezra suggests that it implies that marriage partners on earth are determined in heaven.