The Art of Repetition in Ancient Hebrew Literature

This study addresses two related issues: the insertions found in 4QpaleoExodm and the Samaritan Pentateuch related to Moses relaying God's messages to Pharaoh; and the broadly attested literary device of pairing commands and their executions. I begin with a discussion of the former, noting previous attempts to explain the textual development. I then contextualize the Ten Plagues insertions by surveying similar textual developments in other ancient Hebrew texts - both those that are evident in text-critical data, and those that are indicated by internal evidence. Numerous scholars have noted and discussed the literary device of pairing commands and their executions in particular contexts, but none have recognized how broadly this literary device is attested in ancient Hebrew literature. I also note commandexecution pairing in other ancient Near Eastern literature. The study concludes by returning to the Ten Plagues insertions, arguing that the insertions constitute uses of an established literary convention. The tradent(s) responsible for the insertions was well-versed in the art of Hebrew literature, using a known method for their contribution to the composition of the text.