Literary Devices – Bereshit 34

This topic has not yet undergone editorial review

Daughters and son – Tanakh Lab demonstrates that the words that appear most frequently in in Bereshit 34 are בת and בן, the former appearing 14 times and the latter 11 times. On the most basic level, these guiding words emphasize the family relationships in the story, which lead to the tension and violence of the narrative.
Secondary Literature – See R. Alter, Genesis: Translation and Commentary, (New York, 1996):189 who suggests that the way the text employs these words highlights the superficial similarity of age and status among the characters in the story, which belies their vastly different positions in society. He notes that Dena’s identity as a "בת" is ostensibly similar to that of the "בנות הארץ" whom she seeks to meet, but her status as a stranger makes her vulnerable and distinct. Similarly, her position as Yaakov’s child (בת) places her in an entirely different position than the son (בן) of the king, who in turn comes into conflict with the sons (בנים) of Yaakov.¹

Literary Devices – Bereshit 34/0