Literary Devices – Bereshit 44/0

Literary Devices – Bereshit 44

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Allusions

The Sale of Yosef

Through the use of allusions, the Torah conveys that bringing Binyamin to Egypt is a symbolic reenactment of the sale of Yosef, and an opportunity for the brothers to correct their misdeeds: 

• The silver that Yosef commands to be returned to the brothers (44:1) calls to mind the silver for which Yosef was sold into slavery (37:28) and symbolizes the brothers’ continued feeling of guilt for the sale.
• There are repeated references to one or all brothers being held as a slave in Egypt.  
• Yehuda refers to Binyamin seven times as “הנער,” the same word with which Yosef is introduced in 37:2.  
• Yehuda’s powerful words describing the anguish Yaakov will feel if Binyamin does not return -- “וְהוֹרִידוּ עֲבָדֶיךָ אֶת שֵׂיבַת עַבְדְּךָ אָבִינוּ בְּיָגוֹן שְׁאֹלָה” -- allude to Yaakov’s declaration after the sale of Yosef: “אֵרֵד אֶל בְּנִי אָבֵל שְׁאֹלָה”.

Stories of Deception

• Robert Alter in his commentary on Bereshit¹ notes a parallel between the brothers’ declaration that whoever has the goblet will die, and Yaakov’s declaration to Lavan that whoever has his teraphim will not live (31:32). The obvious irony is that, in Bereshit 31, Rachel had actually stolen the teraphim but was not found out, whereas in this chapter, Binyamin did not steal the goblet but was found out.

Key Words

The various key words of this chapter, "עבד", "אב", and "אדון" reflect the themes of the chapter: the notion of slavery and the symbolic reenactment of the sale of Yosef into slavery, the brothers’ feelings of loyalty to their father, and Yosef’s role of authority

Slave and Master

• See Tanakh Lab that Yehuda’s speech, he refers to himself as "עַבְדְּךָ" (your servant) twelve times, and to Yosef as “אֲדֹנִי” (my master) seven times. This language is meant as a necessary demonstration of respect and deference to Yosef.  
• See Yehuda's Oration for contrasting opinions as to how to read Yehud'as speech - as an appeal fro mercy (supported by these key words) or as a show of defiance and threat.

Youth and Father

See Tanakh Lab that in Yehuda’s speech, he refers to Binyamin as "the lad" seven times, and to his father fourteen times, each being a means of inspiring Yosef’s sympathy.

Repetition

• Tanakh uses many techniques of literary repetition.  Yehuda’s speech is an extended example in which he narrates what has happened in the preceding chapters. Interestingly, he includes some details that did not appear earlier which might help reveal his underlying messages. 

• Secondary Literature – For an exploration of the techniques and strategies of repetition that Yehuda employs, see Yehuda's Oration. For analysis of the significant ways in which Yehuda alters his retelling of events, and the implicit accusation within his retelling, see Yehuda’s Monologue: Reading Between the Lines by R. Elchanan Samet.

Character Titles

Brothers of Yosef

The brothers of Yosef are consistently referred to as “ha-anashim,” in keeping with their own lack of awareness of the significance of their family identity at this juncture in the story.  This appellation will shift in the next chapter, when Yosef reveals himself to them.  

Binyamin

In his speech, Yehuda consistently refers to Binyamin as “the youth” and “youngest brother,” presumably in order to inspire sympathy for him.

Yosef

Yehuda refers to Yosef nine times as “adoni,” reflecting the deference he must show him.

¹ R. Alter, Genesis: Translation and Commentary, (New York, 1996).