The literary moment of resumption in the Pentateuch

Abstract

The resumptive repetition (Wiederaufnahme) is one of the literary devices used to shape the transmitted text in MT + Sam. To a certain degree, the first chapters of Genesis seem to be outlined by the relative particle הב ת ("which") and the noun הב ת ("heaven"). Part of the Abraham story is highlighted by the word הב ת ("to swear"), הב ת ("camel"), שלוםםלו ("Machpelah"), שלוםםלו("cave"), מערהרעה מ רץא ה ת א("to give the land") and the noun הב ת ("seed, offspring"). Lastly, the Joseph story accentuates the terms שלוםםלו ש ("the land of Canaan"), מערהרעה מ רץא ה ת א ("neck"), שלוםםלו ש ("to sprout"), שללו ש ("peace, well-being") and שלוםםלו ש ("to recognise"). The second part of this study will throw light on terminological patterns which underline different thematic and theological aspects in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.