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Document Details :

Title: Paronomasia or Wordplay?
Subtitle: A Babel-Like Confusion. Towards a Definition of Hebrew Wordplay
Author(s): AUSLOOS, Hans , KABERGS, Valérie
Journal: Biblica
Volume: 93    Issue: 1   Date: 2012   
Pages: 1-20
DOI: 10.2143/BIB.93.1.3188743

Abstract :
Against the general background of a terminological confusion that is present in contributions about Hebrew wordplay, the definition of the so-called paronomasia in relation to the term wordplay is especially debated. This article aims to clarify the concept of wordplay in the Hebrew Bible. After a survey of the current opinions in defining the terms 'paronomasia' and 'wordplay' (I), we propose our own definition of 'Hebrew wordplay' (II). Thereafter, this description will simultaneously delimit the field of Hebrew wordplay as it excludes a few linguistic figures, although they are possibly classified as wordplay in other studies (III).

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