Abram] i.e. provided him with an escort ((
Hebrew characters) as 1816 3127).
The thought of ignominious expulsion is far from the writer's
mind; the purpose of the escort is to see that no further
injury is done to the patriarch or his wife (IEz.), bringing
fresh judgements on the realm.—XIII. 1. The narrative
closes with the return of Abram to his home in the Negeb
(cf. 129).
Source of 1210-20.—It has already been pointed out (p. 242 f.) that, though
the section breaks the connexion of the main narrative, it is Yahwistic
in style; and the question of its origin relates only to its place within
the general cycle of Yahwistic tradition. Three views are possible:
that it is (1) a secondary expansion of J by a later hand (We.); (2) a
misplaced chapter of J's main narrative belonging properly to a subsequent
stage of the history; or (3) an excerpt from a separate Yahwistic
collection (Gu. [Jb]). To (1) and (2) there are distinct objections: (a)
the style and moral tone of the narrative, which are those of racy
popular legend, and produce the impression of great antiquity; (b) the
absence from the character of Abram of those ideal features which are
prominent in the main narrative, and which later ages tended to exaggerate
(e.g. ch. 14); especially (c) the fact that the home of Abram
is not at Hebron but in the Negeb. Gu.'s theory, which is not open to
these objections, seems, therefore, to mark an advance in the analysis of J.
2-18. Separation of Abram and Lot.—2, 5, 7. The
great wealth of the two patriarchs leads to bickering among
their retainers. The situation reflects the relations of tribes
rather than of private families, quarrels about pastures and
watering-places being a common feature of nomadic life and
a frequent cause of separation: cf. 2125 2620ff..—2. Silver and gold] 2435 2016 2316.—5. Lot's substance, on the other hand,
is purely nomadic: flocks, herds, and tents. The last word
appears to have the sense of 'people,' 'families'; cf. Ar.
'ahl, Sab. [Sabæan: **] (Müller, ZDMG, xxxvii. 341; Homm. SA Chrest. 121).—3, 4. A redactional addition (p. 243), bringing
the narrative back to Bethel, the traditional scene of the
separation.—6. P's account of the parting: cf. 367. It has
often been noticed that he makes no mention of a quarrel;
just as J says nothing of the straitness of the land (v.i.)—*
3. (Hebrew characters)] simply 'by stages'; not by the same stages by which he
had come (GV Ra.): cf. Ex. 171 4036. 38 etc.—5. (Hebrew characters) (G-K. §§ 93 r,
23 h)] GA (Greek characters), prob. Gr. corruption of (Greek characters) (so many MSS).—6. (Hebrew characters)]
[E] (Hebrew characters)—better. Cf. 367 (P).—6b(Greek characters) is by some (KS. Ho.) assigned to J,
