Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/312

Rh 294

Tlic

A

Book of Genesis

Caravan of Ishmaelites

Shechem and Dothan.

Point out, too, how the great highroad of which led down to Egypt, passed near Dothan. The caravan to which Joseph was sold, was prol)al)ly passing along this very highroad, bringing its goods down to Egypt. V. 14. The mention of Hehron here is disturbing, lleliron lies on a straight line fully forty-five to fifty miles, from Shechem. The intervening country is mountainous, and travel, even under the most favorable conditions is difficult. It is impos.^ible therefore, on the one hand, that the sons of Jacob should have driven their flocks from Hebron to Shechem, and then on to Dothan, some fifteen miles further, and on the other hand, that Jacob should have sent Joseph, of

antiquity,

while

still

a lad.

all

this

distance to ascertain his brothers' welfare.

"out of the vale of Hebron", in their were not a jiart of the original narrative, but were inserted to harmonize this story with XXX'. 17, which tells that Jacob came Jinally to his father'^ house at Hebron. Omitting these words, we get the impression that this entire incident happened It

is

clear

Hebrew

that

the

equivalent,

words, \n