Page:A critical and exegetical commentary on Genesis (1910).djvu/499

 (c. 350 miles as the crow flies) is much too great to be traversed in that time.

If the v. be from J (Gu. Pro.), we must assume (what is no doubt conceivable) that the writer's geographical knowledge was defective. But it is a strong reason for assigning the v. to E, that in that source nothing is said of Ḥarran or the Euphrates, and Laban's home is placed somewhere in the eastern desert (see 29$1$). 24. God (not the Angel of God, as v.$11$) warns Laban in a dream to take heed to his words when he encounters Jacob.—good or bad] 'anything whatever' (24$50$, 2 Sa. 13$22$ etc.). Laban did not interpret the prohibition literally ($29$).—25. in the mountain ] The idea suggested being that Jacob and Laban encamped each on a different mountain, we must suppose the name to have been omitted. The insertion of Miẓpāh (v.$49$) is strongly recommended by Ju. 10$17$ (see Ball, 88).—On the situation of Mount Gilead, see p. 402 f.

26-43. The altercation.

The subjects of recrimination are: on Laban's part, (a) the secret flight, (b) the carrying off of his daughters, and (c) the theft of his god; on Jacob's part, (d) the hardships of his 20 years' service, and (e) the attempts to defraud him of his hire. Of these, b, c, and e certainly belong to E; a and d more probably to J.—In detail, the vv. that can be confidently assigned to E are: $26$ (, as $20$), $28$ (continuation of $26$), $29$ (cf. $24$), $30. 32-35$, $41$ ('ten times'), 42 (cf. $24. 29$) and $43$ (because of the connexion with $26. 28$): note also , $29. 42$; , $33$. The sequence of E is interrupted by $27 ( 26). 31b$ (the natural answer to $27$), $36a ( 36b)$: these clauses are accordingly assigned to J; along with $38-40$ (a parallel to $41f.$). The analysis (which is due to Gu.) yields for E a complete narrative: $26. 28-31a. 32-35. 36b. 37. 41-43$. The Yahwistic parallel is all but complete ($27. 31a. b. 36a. 38-40$); but we miss something after $31$ to account for Jacob's exasperation in $36$. We may suppose (with Gu.) that Laban had accused Jacob of stealing his flocks, and that $38-40$ is a reply to this charge.—Procksch's division is slightly different.

26-28. Laban offers a sentimental pretext for his warlike demonstration: in E his slighted affection for his offspring ($28$); in J his desire to honour a parting guest ($27$).—27. with mirth and music] This manner of speeding the parting guest

25. ] Better (Ba.).—26, 27. G om. , and transp. $27a. 26b$.—27. ] G, which is perhaps better than MT.—28. ] usually 'reject' or 'abandon'; only here = 'allow.'—] for (G-K.