Literary Devices – Bereshit 44/0
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Literary Devices – Bereshit 44
Structure
Parallels and Contrasts
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) 12 times, and to Yosef as “אֲדֹנִי” seven times. This language is meant as a necessary demonstration of respect and deference to Yosef.
Youth and Father
See Tanakh Lab that 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.
