Page:A critical and exegetical commentary on Genesis (1910).djvu/525

 natural position of 35$22b-26$ is between 30$22a$ and 31$18$ (see v.$26$); and this transposition is adopted by We. (Prol.$6$ 327); but perhaps a still better position would be in 37$2$ (see p. 443). A more thorough readjustment is proposed by Gu.: 28$1-9$ 35$6a. 11-13a. 15$ 29$24. 28b. 29$ 30$4a. 9b. 22a$ 35$22b-26$ 31$18aβγδb$ 33$18aβ$ 35$9. 10. 27-29$. This division of the Bethel-theophany into two, one on the way to Mesopotamia and the other after the return (as in E), is very attractive, and relieves some critical difficulties, as shown in the notes on $9ff.$.—To E belong $1-5. 6b-8. 14$: cf. [], $1. 5. 7$;, $3. 7$; , $14$; , $2. 4$ (cf. Jos. 24$2. 20. 23$); and the reference in v.$1$ to 28$20ff.$.—$16-20$ are also from E in the main, though perhaps with J variants (, $20$; cf. the retrospective reference in 48$7$).—The only purely Yahwistic section is $21. 22a$ ( bis).

1-8 + 14. Bethel re-visited: the death of Deborah.—1. Jacob is reminded of his vow at Bethel (28$20ff.$), and commanded to build an altar there.—go up] From Shechem to Bethel there is a continuous ascent of over 1000 ft.—and dwell there] It would almost seem that Bethel is to be Jacob's permanent residence; and this (though contradicted by v.$16$) would be in harmony with the tenor of the Elohistic tradition, which closely associates this patriarch with the chief Ephraimite sanctuary.—2. Jacob purifies his household for a solemn act of worship.—Put away the strange gods] The same words spoken under the same tree by Joshua (24$23$ [E]), point, it would appear, to the memory of a great national renunciation of idolatry at Shechem in the early history of Israel (see v.$4$). A reference to the Teraphim stolen by Rachel (31$19$) does not exhaust the significance of the notice.—3. The use of the old name here and v.$1$ (cf. v.$7$) is noticeable.—4. the earrings (see on 24$22$)] Objects of superstition, being used as amulets, and in false worship (Ho. 2$15$, cf. Ju. 8$24ff.$).—the terebinth near Shechem] See on 12$6$. The burial of idolatrous emblems under this sacred tree has some traditional meaning which we cannot now explain.—5. a terror of God] a (De.); cf. Ex. 23$27$, 1 Sa. 14$15$, 2 Ch. 14$13$ etc.

V.$5$ presupposes an incident like that recorded in ch. 34. The intervening vv.$1-4$ are not in keeping with this view of the situation; and the

1. ] G is not unlikely to be original (cf. 28$11$ 12$6$).—3. ] G .—4 end] G + .—5. ] G .—] G.