Literary Devices – Bereshit 46/0
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Literary Devices – Bereshit 46
Structure
Allusions 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.
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).
Key Words
Character Titles
Yaakov
Yaakov’s name alternates between Yisrael (appearing six times)1 and Yaakov (appearing fifteen times)2 in this chapter.
- 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.
