Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/353

Rh Jacob's Blessing

The Tomb

of Joseph near

therefore far off the direct line of march It is

not clear

Probably

how

335

Shechem from Egypt to Hebron. come to this spot. was not an integral part

the funeral cortege could have

this tradition,

and with

it

vv. 7-11,

of the original narrative, but arose in time to account for this otherwise inexplicable place-name, and then was inserted into this place

by some V. 23.

late writer.

For the signiticance of the custom of laying a new-born upon the knees of a foster-parent cf. the note to XXX, 3. V. 24. By "brethren" is meant here the descendants of his

child

brothers, the early children of Israel.

V. 26. By coffin a sarcophagus was probably meant. Only the very greatest were so buried. An interesting rabbinic legend about the coffin of Joseph is recorded in Ginsburg, Legends of the Jezifs, II.

ISlfif. \n