Page:A critical and exegetical commentary on Genesis (1910).djvu/424

 7$27f.$).—9. playing with Isaac her son] The last words are essential to the sense, and must be restored with GV (see Jub. xvii. 4, with Charles's Note). It is the spectacle of the two young children playing together, innocent of social distinctions, that excites Sarah's maternal jealousy and prompts her cruel demand. The chronology of P, according to which Ishmael was some 17 years old, has for uncritical readers spoiled the effect; and given rise to the notion of Ishmael as a rude lad scoffing at the family joy, or to the still more fanciful explanations current in Jewish circles. —10. with my son] If this presupposes an equal right of inheritance as between the sons of the wife and the concubine (Gu.), it also shows a certain opposition to that custom: cf. the case of Jephthah, Ju. 11$29$ (see Benz. Arch.$14. 17$ 296).—this slave girl ] In E, Hagar is not Sarah's maid, but simply a household slave, who has become her master's concubine.

11-13. Abraham's misgivings removed.—11. on account of his son] whom he loves as his own flesh and blood; for the mother, as a slave, he has no particular affection.—12. It is revealed to him (by night: cf. $6$) that Sarah's maternal instincts are in accord with the divine purpose.—shall a seed be called to thee] i.e., 'in the line of Isaac shall thy name be perpetuated' (Is. 41$J$, cf. Ro. 9$14$, Heb. 11$19$). The same idea otherwise expressed in P (17$1ff.$.—13. Hagar's child (still unnamed) is also Abraham's seed, though his descendants are not to be known as such.—a great nation ([E]GS)] cf. 17$2$.

9. G ; so V (cf. Zec. 8$14$). The sense 'mock' ('play with' in a bad sense) would require a following , but it is doubtful if it actually occurs. 39$8$ may be explained after 26$7$; in 19$18$ it means simply 'play' as opposed to serious behaviour (cf. Pr. 26$19. 21$). See above on v.$20$.—On the pausal [Language: **], see G-K. § 52 n.—11 end] G + (wrongly).—12. ] G + .—13. [E]G read
 * also in VS.—[] —] so v.$5$ 46$14. 17$ (E).