Why Scripture Doubles the Names of the Righteous from Abraham to Noah

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Noach 1:2

(Isaiah 41:2:) "Who has roused up righteousness from the east, calling him to His foot?" The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Abraham illumined My world with his righteousness. Why? Because his whole generation were wicked, and out of all of them I found only one, as it is said (Ezekiel 33:24): "Abraham was one." But were there two? Rather, he was one in his righteousness. And likewise the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him (Genesis 22:11): "Abraham, Abraham." Why two times? Rather, it is that Abraham was righteous from his beginning to his end. And likewise (Genesis 46:2): "Jacob, Jacob"; and likewise (Exodus 3:4): "Moses, Moses"; and likewise (1 Samuel 3:10): "Samuel, Samuel" — they were righteous from their beginning to their end. From what do we read concerning this matter? (Genesis 6:9): "These are the generations of Noah: Noah."

Themes

Biblical References