Difference between revisions of "Literary Devices – Bereshit 27/0"
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<p>Not surprisingly, given the focus of the chapter, the root <span style="color: #ff00ff;"><b>"ברך"</b></span> and noun <b><span style="color: #ff00ff;">"ברכה"</span></b> together are among the most prevalent words in the chapter.<fn>The verb appears 17 times and the noun six times.</fn></p> | <p>Not surprisingly, given the focus of the chapter, the root <span style="color: #ff00ff;"><b>"ברך"</b></span> and noun <b><span style="color: #ff00ff;">"ברכה"</span></b> together are among the most prevalent words in the chapter.<fn>The verb appears 17 times and the noun six times.</fn></p> | ||
</subcategory> | </subcategory> | ||
| − | <subcategory>Family Relationships | + | <subcategory name="Relationships"> |
| + | Family Relationships | ||
<p>The word <b><span style="color: #0000ff;">"בֵּן"</span></b> (son) appears 25 times, <span style="color: #0000ff;"><b>"‎אָב‎"</b></span> (father)  24 times and <b><span style="color: #0000ff;">"אָח‎"</span> </b>(brother) 23 times, highlighting the family relationships around which the story revolves. Interestingly, despite Rivka's masterminding the drama, the noun "אֵם" (mother) appears only five times in the narrative.  Perhaps this reflects her subtle, hidden involvement which takes place only behind the scenes.</p> | <p>The word <b><span style="color: #0000ff;">"בֵּן"</span></b> (son) appears 25 times, <span style="color: #0000ff;"><b>"‎אָב‎"</b></span> (father)  24 times and <b><span style="color: #0000ff;">"אָח‎"</span> </b>(brother) 23 times, highlighting the family relationships around which the story revolves. Interestingly, despite Rivka's masterminding the drama, the noun "אֵם" (mother) appears only five times in the narrative.  Perhaps this reflects her subtle, hidden involvement which takes place only behind the scenes.</p> | ||
</subcategory> | </subcategory> | ||
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<category>Consecutive Verbs | <category>Consecutive Verbs | ||
When Tanakh uses several verbs in succession, it means to highlight speed and energy of action. This convention appears in 27:14 (“He went, took, and brought them for his mother”), to describe Yaakov’s alacrity in carrying out his mother’s instructions. It calls to mind the string of verbs in 25:34 with which Esav consummates the exchange of the lentil stew for the birthright. | When Tanakh uses several verbs in succession, it means to highlight speed and energy of action. This convention appears in 27:14 (“He went, took, and brought them for his mother”), to describe Yaakov’s alacrity in carrying out his mother’s instructions. It calls to mind the string of verbs in 25:34 with which Esav consummates the exchange of the lentil stew for the birthright. | ||
| + | </category> | ||
| + | <category>Characterization | ||
| + | Tanakh rarely describes a personality outright; instead, it paints character through subtle hints. | ||
| + | <subcategory>Esav | ||
| + | Robert Alter, in his commentary on Bereshit, points out that Rivka’s knowledge of Esav’s plot against Yaakov (27:42), despite the verses recording only his internal thoughts on the matter indicates that he was unable to refrain from spilling his secret.  This hints to his impulsive nature. | ||
| + | </subcategory> | ||
| + | <subcategory>Articles | ||
| + | See Robert Alter’s article <a href="https://www.commentary.org/articles/robert-alter-2/character-in-the-bible/">Character in the Bible,</a> as well as his chapter on characterization in The Art of Biblical Narrative (New York, 1981):114-130, for exploration of methods of characterization in Tanakh. | ||
| + | </subcategory> | ||
</category> | </category> | ||
</page> | </page> | ||
</aht-xml> | </aht-xml> | ||
Version as of 10:53, 4 July 2023
Literary Devices – Bereshit 27
Structure
Parallels and Contrasts
Key Words
Tanakh Lab indicates that the most frequent words in Bereshit 27 are בֵּן ,אָב, ברך and אָח, reflecting the narrative’s focus on complex family dynamics surrounding the bestowal of blessing.
Blessing
Not surprisingly, given the focus of the chapter, the root "ברך" and noun "ברכה" together are among the most prevalent words in the chapter.1
Family Relationships
The word "בֵּן" (son) appears 25 times, "אָב" (father) 24 times and "אָח" (brother) 23 times, highlighting the family relationships around which the story revolves. Interestingly, despite Rivka's masterminding the drama, the noun "אֵם" (mother) appears only five times in the narrative. Perhaps this reflects her subtle, hidden involvement which takes place only behind the scenes.
Food
When looking at the relative usage of words here versus in the rest of Tanakh, two other words emerge as being significant: "מַטְעַמִּים" and "צַיִד".2 The role that food plays the giving of blessing is somewhat surprising and invites questioning. Compare how R"Y Bekhor Shor, R. Avraham b. HaRambam and R. D"Z Hoffman each understand why Yitzchak made the blessing contingent on bringing him a meal.
Wordplay
The chapter contains several examples of wordplay surrounding the names of the brothers:
