Page:A critical and exegetical commentary on Genesis (1910).djvu/616

 passion, which impels him to the crime that draws down the curse. As a characterisation of the tribe, this will mean that Reuben had a double share of the 'frenetic' Bedouin nature, and wore out his strength in fierce warfare with neighbouring tribes. If the outrage on his father's honour (v.$4$) have historic significance (see below), it must denote some attack on the unity of Israel which the collective conscience of the nation condemned. It is to be noted that the recollection of the event has already assumed the legendary form, and must therefore reach back to a time considerably earlier than the date of the poem (Gu.).—3b, 4a. exceeding excel] No English word brings out the precise force of the original, where the [root] occurs three times in a sense hovering between 'exceed' and 'excel.' The idea of excess being native to the root, the renderings pride and fury are perhaps preferable to 'dignity' and 'power,' $3c$ as well as $4$ being understood sensu malo, as a censure of Reuben.—4b. Then went up] A corrupt text:

3a. (Dt. 21$17$, cf. Ps. 78$51$ 105$36$)] Not  (GΘ), still less principium doloris mei (V from, 'trouble'; so Aq. Σ.); but 'best part of my virility' (ST$O$). On, see p. 12; as Hos. 12$4$.—3b. G ; V prior in donis, major in imperio.— (abst. pro concr.) might mean 'excess' (Aq. Σ.), or 'superiority' (V), or 'remnant' (S; so Peters, p. 100): whether it is here used in a good sense or a bad (for the latter, cf. Pr. 17$7$) depends on the meaning assigned to the next two words.—] Lit. 'lifting' (G Aq. ΣΘS), several times means 'exaltation'; but in Hab. 1$7$ it has distinctly the sense of 'arrogance,' the idea preferred above. To read, 'turbulence' (Gu.), is unnecessary, and, 'destruction' (Peters), gives a wrong turn to the thought.—] Pausal for, 'power,' but the sense of 'fury' is supported by v.$7$, Is. 25$3$.—4. —] G ; Aq. ; Σ. ; V effusus es sicut aqua, non crescas; S. The comparison to water is ambiguous; and it is doubtful if we may introduce the simile of water 'boiling over' (ΣG and many moderns). The image may be that of a wild rushing torrent,—a fit emblem of the unbridled passion which was Reuben's characteristic (so T$O$).—] [E] . Though the other Vns. also have 2nd pers. we cannot assume that they read so; and the analogy of v.$3$ leads us to expect another abst. pro concr. The noun is ; the ptcp. occurs Ju. 9$4$, Zeph. 3$4$, with the sense 'reckless' or 'irresponsible' (cf., Jer. 23$32$). In Arab. the [root] means 'be insolent,' in Aram. 'be lascivious': the common idea is