Moses and Aaron as mediators in the plot of the Kadesh crisis (Numbers 13–14): repetitions from the perspective of literary theory

as repetições sob a ótica da teoria literária

Abstract

The aim of this article was to analyze the structure and plot of the Kadesh crisis (Numbers 13–14) through narrative analysis, discussing the repetitions in the text based on literary theory. The pericope was analyzed as part of a literary sequence of conflicts in the desert (Numbers 11,1–21,9). The proposal for its structure was based on the type-scenes of inheritance campaigns and accounts of post-Sinai conflicts, as well as the consideration of the scenes based on a chiastic parallelism. The analysis of the plot revealed a model constructed as a complex unity around obedience and disobedience to Yhwh, even though being a composite pericope, legitimizing the instances of mediation with the people: Moses and Aaron. The analysis of the repetition present in the double verdict speech reveals that the repetition illustrates art, sophistication, and serves as a foundation for the unity of a story analyzed in the light of literary theory.