Addressing the Reader as an Expression of Dialogism in Ramban's Commentary on Genesis

Abstract

This article discusses part of Ramban's commentary on Genesis from the perspective of dialogism, examining its linguistic expressions in the commentary with a focus on addressing the reader. The article begins with an introduction to the theory of dialogism and the scholarly research literature written on dialogism in Hebrew texts, as well in the review of Ramban’s language in his commentary on the Torah.

As an expression of dialogism in Ramban's language, three verb forms were examined that may include an address to the reader: first-person plural, second-person singular, and third-person singular. It was found that Ramban uses these verb forms to involve the reader in the process of interpretation, to predict the reader's thoughts and reactions, to distinguish between his own opinion and the opinions of earlier commentators, and more.

These uses correspond with the argumentative nature of Ramban's commentary, and it seems that through them, he seeks to persuade the reader about his interpretative suggestions.

At the end of the article, ideas for further research are proposed.