Page:A critical and exegetical commentary on Genesis (1910).djvu/264

 sides of the ark (except where interrupted by the beams supporting the roof) a little below the roof" (Dri., so De. Di. al.). Exegetical tradition is in favour of this view; but the material arguments for it (see Di. 141) are weak, and its etymological basis is doubtful (v.i.). Others (Ew. Gu. G-B. al.) take it to mean the roof (lit. 'back': Ar. ẓahr). The clause and to a cubit thou shalt finish it above is unintelligible as it stands: some suggestions are given in the footnote.—The door of the ark is to be in its (longer?) side; and the cells inside are to be arranged in three stories. The ship of Ut-napištim appears to have had six decks, divided into nine compartments (ll. 61-63).

17-22. The purpose of the ark.—Gunkel thinks that v.$17$ commences a second communication to Noah; and that in the source from which P drew, the construction of the ark was recorded before its purpose was revealed (as in the parallel account of J: see on 7$1$). That, of course, is possible; but that P slurred over the proof of Noah's faith because he had no interest in personal religion can hardly be supposed. There is really nothing to suggest that $17ff.$ are not the continuation of $13-16$.—17. Behold I am about to bring the Flood] : see above on 7$7$ (J), and in the Note below.—18. I will establish my covenant, etc.] anticipating 9$9ff.$. De. and Gu. distinguish the two covenants, taking that here referred to as a special pledge to Noah of safety in the coming judgement; but that is contrary to the usage of P,

17. ] cf. Dri. JPh. xi. 226.— (cf. 7$6$)] The is certainly superfluous grammatically, but  is necessary to the completeness of the sentence. G omits in 7$6$, and inserts it in 9$11b$ (P). Whether it be an explanatory gloss of the unfamiliar (so most), or a peculiar case of nominal apposition (see Dri. T. § 188), it is difficult to decide: on the idea that it is meant to distinguish the water-flood from the light-flood, see above, p. 154. The pointing (JDMich. al.) is objectionable on various grounds: for one thing, P never speaks of the Flood as coming 'from the sea.' J's phrase is : 7$7. 10$; cf. 9$11a$ (P).—] [E], ; but elision of in Hiph. is unusual: some Sam. MSS have (Ball).—] 'expire,'—peculiar to P in Hex. (cf. 7$21$ 25$8. 17$