I think you asked recently for examples of overspecification of a
participant. I ran across a couple today:
Gen 29:10 ...laban 'axiy 'immo... X 3! I suppose this may be to underline
that Jaakob had indeed found family. I think we should note as interesting
that Laban may not be considered a bonafide participant in the narrative
yet.
Gen 41:46 ...par`oh melek micrayim... I would say that the "full"
reference to Pharoah here (in contrast to just par`oh) enobles Joseph's
promotion to prime minister.
Longacre has a chapter in his _Joseph_ on participant reference, and I am
sure he has a few comments on the significance of over-specification. I
know he marshals the reference potentials of the language and the variety of
reference operations, such as character introduction, marking of a central
character, plain-jane tracking, character re-instatement, and confrontation
as found at climax/denouement.
Best, Bryan
B. M. Rocine
Living Word Church
6101 Court St. Rd.
Syracuse, NY 13206
ph: 315.437.6744
fx: 315.437.6766
[b-hebrew] Clay: Overspecification,
B. M. Rocine, 03/09/2005