Structure – Shemot 3 – 4:17/0

Structural Analysis – Shemot 3:1 – 4:17
"Commissioning of Moshe"

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Broader Context

Shemot 3–4 is part of the larger unit "First Mission Fails" which encompasses Chapters 2–5 of Sefer Shemot. For elaboration and various possible subdivisions of this unit, see Structure of Sefer Shemot.

Step 1 – Boundaries of the Unit

"Commissioning of Moshe" (3:1 – 4:17)

• This unit describes the episode of the Burning Bush, in which Moshe is given a mission to take the Israelites out of Egypt.¹
• Characters – Only Moshe and Hashem appear in this unit, while in the surrounding chapters, there is interaction with Paroh, Yitro, Aharon, and the Israelites.
• Setting – This unit is set at Sinai ("הַר הָאֱלֹהִים חֹרֵבָה", Shemot 3:1), whereas the previous and subsequent units occur in Egypt and Midian.

Step 2 – Division into Scenes

I. "" (:)
II. "" (:)

• (One sentence summary) –
• Frame –
• Plot –
• Theme –
• Parallels –
• Characters –
• Setting –
• Timing –
• Genre –
• Literary markers –
• Masoretic markers –

Step 3.1 – Subdivision of Scene I

A. "" (:)
B. "" (:)

• (One sentence summary) –
• Frame –
• Plot –
• Theme –
• Parallels –
• Characters –
• Setting –
• Timing –
• Genre –
• Literary markers –
• Masoretic markers –

Step 3.2 – Subdivision of Scene II

A. "" (:)
B. "" (:)

• (One sentence summary) –
• Frame –
• Plot –
• Theme –
• Parallels –
• Characters –
• Setting –
• Timing –
• Genre –
• Literary markers –
• Masoretic markers –

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¹ See also the discussion in Structure of Shemot 2 as to whether Shemot 2:23–25 is related to what comes before or after it. This analysis views Shemot 4:18-28 as the beginning of the next unit, as it begins the realization of Moshe's mission.