Page:A critical and exegetical commentary on Genesis (1910).djvu/493

 '''25-31. Jacob proposes to provide for his own house.'''—A preliminary parley, in which both parties feel their way to an understanding.—26 (E). thou knowest with what kind of service, etc.] E always lays stress on Jacob's rectitude (cf. $33$).—27 (J). If I have found favour, etc.] followed by aposiopesis, as 18$3$ 23$13$.—Laban continues: I have taken omens (cf. 44$5. 15$, 1 Ki. 20$33$) and (found that) Yahwe has blessed me, etc.]—an abject plea for Jacob's remaining with him.—28 (E). Laban surrenders at once (the answer is in v.$32$), whereas—29, 30 in J, Jacob presses for a discharge: his service has been of immense value to Laban, but he has a family to consider.—31. anything at all] See introd. note above.—this thing] which I am about to mention.—resume herding thy flock] G-K. § 120 g.

32-36. The new contract.—The point in both narratives is that parti-coloured animals form a very small proportion of a flock, the Syrian sheep being nearly all white (Ca. 4$2$ 6$6$, Dn. 7$9$) and the goats black or brown (Ca. 4$1b$). In E, Jacob simply asks this small share as his payment.—32. and it shall be my hire] The rendering 'and of this sort shall be my hire' (in future), is merely a violent attempt to obliterate

26. ] Not necessarily a gloss; the children might fairly be considered included in Jacob's wages.—27. On, v. 44$5$.—] G , Arm. in pede tuo = ($30$).—28. GV om. , smoothing over the transition from J to E.—] 'designate' (lit. 'prick [off]'): cf. the use of Niph. in Nu. 1$17$, 1 Ch. 16$41$ etc.—29. ] 'the manner in which' (G-K. § 157 c); but S reads as in v.$26$.—30. ] contrasted with above. Prosperity has followed Jacob 'wherever he went' (cf. Is. 41$2$, Jb. 18$11$ etc.). It is unnecessary to emend (ST$O$, Che.).—31. ] (GS pr. ) must be deleted on account of its awkward position.

32., ] To get rid of the change of person (and the division of sources) many construe the latter as inf. abs. ('removing'); but the only natural rendering is impve. (cf. $35$), G has impve. both times.——] G , a smoother and therefore less original text. The Heb. seems overloaded; Gu. strikes out, and the corresponding cll. in $33. 35$.—] 'speckled and spotted,' 'parti-coloured.' The words are practically synonymous, both being distinct from ($35. 39. 40$ 31$8. 10. 12$ †), which means 'striped.' If there be a difference,  ($35. 39$ 31$8 10. 12$ † ) suggests smaller spots than (cf. Ezk. 16$16$, Jos. 9$5$, the only places where the [root] occurs outside this pass.).—] only in this chap.: = 'black'