Page:A critical and exegetical commentary on Genesis (1910).djvu/608

 the richer blessing.—15, 16. The Blessing (E).—The three-*fold invocation of the Deity reminds us of the Aaronic benediction (Nu. 6$24ff.$), which has some resemblance to a feature of Babylonian liturgies (see Je. Hölle und Paradies, 30): "in such cases the polytheist names all the gods he worships, the ancient monotheist all the names and attributes of the God he knows" (Gu.).—before whom walked] cf. 17$1$.—who shepherded me] Cf. 49$24$, Ps. 23$1$ 28$9$, Is. 40$11$. The image is appropriate in the mouth of the master-shepherd Jacob (Di.).—16. the Angel evil] The passages in Jacob's life where an angel or angels intervene (28$11ff.$ 31$11$ 32$2f.$) all belong to the source E; they are not, however, specially connected with deliverances from evil; and the substitution of 'angel' for 'God' is not explained.—let my name be named in them] 'Let them be known as sons of Jacob,' and reckoned among the tribes of Israel.—17-19. Continuing $14$ (J).—Joseph thinks his father had counted on the elder being on his left (Joseph's right) hand, and will now correct his mistake.—19. But Jacob, speaking under inspiration, declares his action to be significant.—the fulness of the nations] A peculiar expression for populousness. Cf. Dt. 33$17$ ('myriads of Ephraim'; 'thousands of Manasseh').—20. The clause And he blessed them that day] is (if not redactional) the conclusion of J's account: the words of blessing are not given. The rest of the v. concludes the blessing of E ($15f.$).—By thee (G you) shall Israel bless] The formula must have been in actual use, and is said to be still current amongst Jews (Str.).—he put E. before M.] If the words are original (E), they call attention to the fact that in the benediction Ephraim had been named first, and find in that slight

locks.' In spite of the philological equivalence, Dri. is justly sceptical of so remote an analogy.—] G om.—15. ] G ] wrongly, the original connexion being with $12b$.—] (Nu. 22$30$† ) 'ever since I was.' GSV 'from my youth' (?).—16. For, [E] reads .—19. ] 'but for all that' (cf. 28$19$).—20. ] G .—] GVS (Niph.; see on 12$3$). The most natural form would be Hithpa. .—22. ] G, Aq. . For instead of, see G-K. § 130 g. On in the sense of 'mountain-slope' (v.s.), see Nu. 34$11$, Jos. 15$8$ [Is. 11$14$?], etc.