Page:A critical and exegetical commentary on Genesis (1910).djvu/179

 to light in their first interview with Yahwe; and this is delineated with a skill hardly surpassed in the account of the temptation itself.—8. they heard the sound] used of footsteps, as 2 Sa. 5$24$, 1 Ki. 14$6$, 2 Ki. 6$32$: cf. Ezk. 3$12f.$, Jl. 2$5$.—of Yahwe God as He walked] The verb is used (Lv. 26$12$, Dt. 23$15$, 2 Sa. 7$6$) of Yahwe's majestic marching in the midst of Israel; but it mars the simplicity of the representation if (with De.) we introduce that idea here.—in the cool (lit. 'at the breeze') of the day] i.e. towards evening, when in Eastern lands a refreshing wind springs up (cf. Ca. 2$17$ 4$6$: but v.i.), and the master, who has kept his house or tent during the 'heat of the day' (18$1$), can walk abroad with comfort (24$63$). Such, we are led to understand, was Yahwe's daily practice; and the man and woman had been wont to meet Him with the glad confidence of innocence. But on this occasion they hid themselves, etc.—9. Where art thou?] (cf. 4$9$). The question expresses ignorance; it is not omniscience that the writer wishes to illustrate, but the more impressive attribute of sagacity.—10. I feared naked] With the instinctive cunning of a bad conscience, the man hopes to escape complete exposure by acknowledging part of the truth; he alleges nakedness as the ground of his fear, putting fear and shame in a false causal connexion (Ho.).—11. Hast thou eaten, etc.?] All unwittingly he has disclosed his guilty secret: he has shown himself possessed of a knowledge which could only have been acquired in one way.—12. The man cannot even yet bring himself to make a clean breast of it; but with a quaint mixture of cowardice and effrontery he throws the blame

8. ] acc. of condition: Dav. § 70 (a).—] G , V ad auram post meridiem, S, T$O$. On this use of (= 'towards'), see BDB, s.v. 6 a; and cf. 8$11$ 17$21$, Is. 7$15$, Jb. 24$14$. With cf. Ar. rawāḥ = tempus vespertinum. Jewish exegesis (Ber. R.) and Calv. suppose the morning (sea) breeze to be meant, as is probably the case in Ca. 2$17$ 4$6$, and would seem more in accordance with Palestinian conditions. But it is manifestly improbable here.—] coll., as often. G$L$ om.—9. ] G-K. § 100 o. G supplies 'Adam' before, and S after, the interrog.—10. ] G + (as v.$8$).—11. ] See G-K. § 114 s.—Before G has