Page:A critical and exegetical commentary on Genesis (1910).djvu/355

 like the land of Egypt] coming after like the garden of Yahwe (2$10-14$; cf. Is. 51$3$) it is an anti-climax, which might be excused (as Di. thinks) because the first comparison was pitched too high. But the last half of the v. seems greatly overloaded, and it is not improbable that both — and are to be removed as glosses.—On the luxuriant fertility and abundant water-supply of the district, see HG, 483 f.; Buhl, 39; Seetzen, Reisen, i. 417.—11a. Lot departed eastward] see on 11$2$ and the footnote infra.—12b. The immediate continuation (in J) of $11a$: and moved his tent up to Sodom] the intervening words being from P (cf. instead of ).—13. This notice of the sinfulness of Sodom is another anticipation of ch. 19; but it is introduced here with great effect as showing how Lot had over-reached himself by his selfish conduct.—14-17. The promise of the land is now confirmed to Abram.—14. Lift up thine eyes, etc.] the contrast to Lot's self-interested glance (v.$10$), while Abram, by his magnanimous surrender of his claims, had unconsciously chosen the good part.—15. It is very doubtful if the can be considered (with Di.) a new element of the promise as compared with 12$7$.—16. the dust of the earth] 28$14$.

This solemn assurance of the possession of the land ($14-17$) is somewhat of a contrast to the simple promises of 12$2. 7$; and has affinities with a series of passages which appear to represent a later phase of religious reflexion (see on ch. 15, p. 284). Other reasons are adduced for thinking that $14-17$ are the work of a younger hand than the original J. (a) It is not the habit of J to cite divine oracles without a specification of the circumstances under which the theophany takes place (but see 12$1ff.$). (b) The conception of Abram as wandering over the land is not that of J$h$, who fixes his permanent dwelling-place at Hebron. (c) While Bethel commands a view of the Jordan valley, it affords no

the text is corrupt) and Sir. 39$23$. Should we read ?—] see 10$19$.—] S = Tanis  in Egypt (Nu. 13$22$, Is. 19$11. 13$ etc.), which is preferred by Ball, but is rather an error caused by the preceding .—11. (cf. 11$2$)] G, V ab oriente. But the only possible sense here is 'eastward'; hence Sta. (''Ak. Reden'', 292) and Gu. emend to .—11b, in spite of its resemblance to $9aβ$, must be assigned to P, being necessary to the completeness of that account, and because it disturbs the connexion of $11a$ with $12bβ$.—16. ] = 'so that' (G-K. § 166 b).—17. G adds at end