Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/104

 86 i.

TJic

e.

Book of Ccncsis

just half the entire depth of the ark

The author means for the

ark.

to

say

suhmerged

the

tliat

(cf. VI, 14-15, and note). waters were just deep enough

exactly half

to

tops of the highest mountains.

its

Therefore

at

the waters begin to sink, the ark rests fast

highest

depth,

to

the very

Hoat over the

moment when

upon the siunmit of

the

mountain.

V. 24. The waters increase for one hundred and tift- days, then run off for one hundred and fifty days, and si.xty-hve days are al-

lowed for the earth

to

dry.

Mt. VIII,

from

1.

rising

Ararat

Armenia

The winds blow down upon

the waters, and keep

them

higher.

3. Don't ask where the waters went to. Probably back into subterranean ocean, whence they were said to have come. If the children ask, tell them that our ancestors probably imagined that

V.

the

the waters ran off into the ocean, about which, not being experienced

had very vague and i)eculip-r notions. mountain in Armenia. Probably it was the highest mountain known to the ancient Semites. Probably, too, our ancestors had no delinite idea of its location. Many travelers have ascended Ararat in search of the remains of the ark. Some, misled by vivid, orthodox imaginations, claim to ha^e found remains, or traces. liut the majority admit that there is nothing sailors or travelers, they

V.

there.

4.

Ararat

is

really a very high