Page:A critical and exegetical commentary on Genesis (1910).djvu/488

 Israel (1 Sa. 1$2ff.$).—32. Rĕ'ûbēn] The only plausible explanation of the etymology is that it is based on the form (v.i.) =, and that is substituted for the divine name. Most comm. suppose that the writer resolves into [][] []; but that is too extravagant for even a Heb. etymologist.—33. Šim'ôn] derived from , 'hear,' expressing precisely the same idea as Rĕ'ûbēn.—34. Lēvî, as the third son, is explained by a verb for 'adhere' (Niph. [root] ), on the principle that a threefold cord is not easily broken.—35. Yĕhûdāh] connected with a word meaning 'praise' (: cf. impf., Neh. 11$17$). So in 49$8$.

'''XXX. 1-8. Rachel's adopted sons.—1, 2.''' A passionate scene, showing how Rachel was driven by jealousy of her sister to yield her place to her maid. Her petulant behaviour recalls that of Sarah (16$5$), but Jacob is less patient than Abraham.—Am I in God's stead?] So 50$19$, cf. 2 Ki. 5$7$.—3. bear upon my knees] An allusion to a primitive ceremony of adoption, which here simply means that Bilhah's children will be acknowledged by Rachel as her own.

On the ceremony referred to, see Sta. ZATW, vi. 143 ff.; Ho. 196; Dri. 274. Its origin is traced to a widespread custom, according to which, in lawful marriage, the child is actually brought forth on the father's knees (cf. Jb. 3$12$; Il. ix. 455 f.; Od. xix. 401 ff.); then it became a symbol of

32. ] G, etc.; S ; Jos. . The origin of the name has given rise to an extraordinary number of conjectures (see Hogg, EB, 4091 ff.). We seem driven to the conclusion that the original form (that on which the etymology is based: v.s.) was. In that form the name has been connected with Ar. ri'bāl, 'lion,' or 'wolf,' in which case Reuben might have to be added to the possibly totemistic names of OT. Another plausible suggestion is that the word is softened from a theophorous compound after the analogy of —33. After, G ins. , which may be correct (cf. 30$7. 12. 17. 19. 24$).—] Another supposed animal name, from Ar. sim', a cross between the wolf and hyæna (see Rob. Sm. JPh. ix. 80). Ewald regarded it as a diminutive of, and similarly recently Cheyne (TBI, 375).—34. ] [E]G$L$S ; G$A$ .—] We.'s conjecture that this is the gentilic of is widely accepted (Sta. Rob.-Sm. Nö. Mey. al.). Homm., on the other hand, compares S Arab. lavi'u = 'priest,' Levi being the priestly tribe (AHT, 278 f.; cf. Benz. Arch.$2$ 56).

3. ] (of unknown etymology) is probably to be connected with