Page:A critical and exegetical commentary on Genesis (1910).djvu/585

 portions from the table is illustrated by 2 Sa. 11$8$; cf. Hom. Il. vii. 321 f., Od. iv. 65 f., xiv. 437.—five times].

It is hardly accidental that the number five occurs so often in reference to matters Egyptian (41$34$ 45$22$ 47$2. 24$, Is. 19$18$). Whether there be an allusion to the five planets recognised by the Egyptians (Kn.), or to their ten days' week (Di.), it is impossible to say. Jeremias (ATLO$2$, 385) connects it with the five intercalary days by which the Egyptian calendar adjusted the difference between the conventionalised lunar year (12 months of 30 days) and the solar year (365 days),—these belonging to Benjamin as the representative of the 12th month! The explanation is too ingenious, and overlooks the occurrence of the numeral where Benjamin is not concerned.

'''XLIV. 1-17. The cup in Benjamin's sack.—1, 2.''' This final test of the brethren's disposition is evidently arranged between Joseph and the steward on the evening of the banquet, to be carried out at daybreak (v.$3$).—1b. each man's money, etc.] Though this seems a useless repetition of 42$25$, with no consequences in the sequel, the clause ought scarcely to be omitted (with Gu.) before $2a$.—2. the silver cup] Joseph's ordinary drinking-vessel, but at the same time an implement of divination (v.$5$): therefore his most precious possession.—3-5. The trap is skilfully laid: just when they have emerged from the city, and think all danger is left behind, exulting in the fresh morning air, and still unwearied by travel, they are arrested by the steward's challenge, and finally plunged in despair.—4. Why have ye good?] G adds, 'Why have ye stolen my silver cup?' The addition seems necessary in view of the following .—5. and, moreover, he divines with (or in) it] See on v.$15$.

On the widely prevalent species of divination referred to, cf. August. ''De civit. Dei'', vii. 35; Strabo,. ii. 39; Iamblichus, De myst. iii. 14. Various methods seem to have been

1. G ins. as subj.—] Ba. plausibly, .—2. ] Used of the golden cups of the candlestick (Ex. 25$31ff.$ 37$17ff.$); elsewhere only Jer. 35$5$, along with the ordinary word for 'cup', of the 'bowls' of wine set before the Rechabites.—3, 4. On the synt. of these vv. see G-K. §§ 142 e, 156 f; Dav. §§ 141, 41, R. 3. The addition in G runs: .—5. ] The derivation of this vb. from, 'serpent,' first suggested by Boch. (Hieroz. i. 3), is supported by (amongst others) Nö. (ZVP, i. 413) and Baudissin (Stud. i. 287); on the other hand, see We. Skizzen, iii. 147; and Rob. Sm. JPh.