Literary Devices – Bereshit 44/0

Literary Devices – Bereshit 44

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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.

• 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.