Literary Devices – Bereshit 46/0
Literary Devices – Bereshit 46
Literary Envelope
Da'at Mikra points out that the Yosef narrative began with Yaakov sending Yosef to his brothers, upon which Yehuda developed the plan to sell him into slavery, and comes to a point of closure when Yaakov sends Yehuda to Yosef. This represents the closing of a circle as the family is reunited.
Allusions
The narrative of Yaakov’s journey to Egypt contains allusions to the divine revelations and promises granted to Avraham and Yitzchak.
- Bereshit Rabbah and Midrash Aggadah (Buber) relate Hashem’s double summons to Yaakov (“Yaakov, Yaakov”) in verse 2 calls to mind His angel’s double call to Avraham at the Akeidah (22:11).
- Hashem’s promise to Yaakov of “I will make you into a great nation there” (Bereshit 46:3) calls to mind His opening promise to Avraham of “I will make you into a great nation” (Bereshit 12:2).
Yaakov's journey represents the close of the narrative arc of the Patriarchs and the beginning of a new stage of Jewish history in exile. The Torah emphasizes that Yaakov and his descendants inherit the covenantal promises given to the other Patriarchs even as they leave Israel.
Symbolism
- Revelation at Night – As in the previous revelations in Chapters 28 and 32, in this chapter, too, Hashem reveals Himself to Yaakov at night (Bereshit 46:2). The motif of revelation at night in Yaakov’s story might represent the concealment (in the form of both hidden identities and secret plots) and challenges with which he consistently grapples. In the context of Chapter 46, night has the additional symbolism of the exile into which Yaakov’s family is descending
Character Titles
Yaakov
This chapter alternates between referring to Yaakov by his new name Yisrael (appearing six times)1 and his original name Yaakov (appearing fifteen times).2
- Commentators – See Ramban, Netziv and R. Hirsch who associate the name Yaakov with the beginning of exile.
- Secondary Literature – For analysis of the significance of the usage of the two different names in this narrative, see R. Ezra Bick’s article The Twilight Years.
