Literary Devices – Bereshit 47/0

Literary Devices – Bereshit 47

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Key Words

ארץ, אדמה

Tanakh Lab demonstrates that the most frequently appearing words of this chapter are פרעה, ארץ, אדמה.  These words relate to the main theme of the chapter, which contrasts Pharaoh’s offer of "אֶרֶץ גֹּשֶׁן" to Yaakov’s family with Yosef’s acquisition of the land of Egypt (אַדְמַת מִצְרַיִם) on behalf of Paroh.¹

מקנה Relative to the rest of Tanakh, the word "מקנה"  is the most frequently appearing word in the chapter. It, too, serves to contrast the lot of the Egyptians and that of Yaakov's family.  Yaakov’s family’s occupation allows them to settle in their own part of the land, as Paroh offers them to be officer's over his cattle.  In contrast, the rest of the Egyptians are forced to sell their cattle to Yosef/Paroh in return for food.

Character Titles

¹ Though the two nouns are somewhat synonymous, here the text divides between them, using the word "אדמה" exclusively when referring to the Egyptians being forced to give of their land to Paroh, and using the word "ארץ" when referring to Goshen. as only the latter can refer also to a territory, country or region, the distinct usages reinforce the security given to the Israelites in the midst of the instability experienced by the Egyptians.