Literary Devices – Shemot 32/0

Literary Devices – Shemot 32

This topic has not yet undergone editorial review

Character Titles

Moshe

• Moshe – Throughout most of the chapter, Moshe is referred to by his proper name.
• "This person Moshe" / זה משה האיש
• In verses 1 and 23, Moshe is uniquely referred to by the nation as "this person Moshe". RambanShemot 32:1About R. Moshe b. Nachman suggests that this epithet proves that the people did not consider Moshe a god, and did not intend for the calf to be a god either. AbarbanelShemot 32:1About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel, by contrast, understands the epithet to reflect the people’s recognition  that Moshe was vulnerable due to being a human being, and their desire to replace him with a being that was divine and immortal. Cf. Da'at Mikra that this epithet (particularly the word “this”) conveys a tone of disrespect and disdain.¹
• Note that Moshe is also called “משה האיש” in Shemot 11:3. He is later referred to as “איש האלוקים”.‎² The association of Moshe with the word “man” perhaps indicates his role as the human being who is the most direct messenger of God.

"Your Nation"

¹ This perhaps is in line with the Yalkut Shimoni, which also focuses on the word “זה” in stating that the people sinned, were punished, and were ultimately comforted with the word “זה.”

² See Devarim 33:1, Yehoshua 14:6, Tehillim 90:1, Ezra 3:2, Divrei HaYamim I 23:14, and Divrei HaYamim II 30:16.