Page:A critical and exegetical commentary on Genesis (1910).djvu/588

 have a meaning for the governor of which the speaker is all unconscious.—29. in trouble to She'ōl] Cf. 42$38$ 37$35$ 44$31$.—30. his soul (not 'life') is bound up, etc.] a figure for inalienable affection; as 1 Sa. 18$1$.

—Joseph reveals himself to his Brethren (E, J).

The crisis so slowly matured and so skilfully led up to is at last reached, and in a scene of inimitable power and tenderness Joseph makes himself known to his brethren ($1-8$). In a message to his father he discloses his plans for the future, inviting the whole family to settle in Egypt while the famine lasted ($9-15$). The invitation is confirmed by the king ($16-20$); and the brethren depart laden with rich gifts and provision for the journey ($21-24$). Jacob, after a momentary incredulity, is cheered by the prospect of seeing Joseph before his death ($25-28$).

The sources, E and J, are here so intimately blended that a complete analysis is impossible. The main fact is the preponderance of E, which appears both from language (, $5. 7. 8. 9$;, $25$; , $5$ [31$35$]; , $21$ [42$25$]; , $23$; perhaps also , $23$; and , $17$ [ct. J's , 44$13$]), and representation: ct. v.$3$ with 43$27f.$, $17-20$ with 46$31$-47$5$ (J), where Joseph's kindred are apparently brought under Pharaoh's notice for the first time. Indubitable traces of J are found in $4b. 5a$ (the selling of Joseph), $10$ (Goshen,—see the notes), $28$ ; these are supported by the expressions, , $1a$ (as 43$31$);, $5a$; , $13$; , $14$. Thus far in the main We. and Di. More subtle and less reliable criteria are applied by Gu. (402 f., 406), and (with very different results) by Pro. (52 f.). It is probable that $3$ (E) is $4$ (J), and (agt. Pro.) $9$ (E)  $13$ (J). But it is very doubtful if the dismissal of the attendants ($1$) be inconsistent with the overhearing of the weeping ($2$), or if the latter be necessarily connected with the Pharaoh's invitation ($16ff.$).—Some minor questions, such as the 'waggons' of $19. 21 27$ (cf. 46$5$), and the authorship of vv.$19-21$, must be reserved for the notes.

1-8. The disclosure.—1, 2. Joseph's self-restraint gives way before Judah's irresistible appeal.—It is pressing matters too far to say that the dismissal of the attendants is a device

31. ] [E]GVS + (as v.$30$).—32. ] [E], S .—34. ] G.

1. ] Nu. 12$6$[dagger] (E?).—2. ] G. The pointing without art. (Gu.) is no improvement.—] GS, as in v.$16$; so