like the land of Egypt] coming after like the garden of Yahwe (210-14; cf. Is. 513) it is an anti-climax, which might
be excused (as Di. thinks) because the first comparison was
pitched too high. But the last half of the v. seems greatly
overloaded, and it is not improbable that both (
Hebrew characters)—(Hebrew characters) and
(Hebrew characters) are to be removed as glosses.—On the luxuriant fertility
and abundant water-supply of the district, see HG, 483 f.;
Buhl, 39; Seetzen, Reisen, i. 417.—11a. Lot departed eastward]
see on 112 and the footnote infra.—12b(Greek characters). The immediate
continuation (in J) of 11a: and moved his tent up to Sodom] the intervening words being from P (cf. (Hebrew characters)
instead of (Hebrew characters)).—13. This notice of the sinfulness of Sodom
is another anticipation of ch. 19; but it is introduced here
with great effect as showing how Lot had over-reached himself
by his selfish conduct.—14-17. The promise of the land
is now confirmed to Abram.—14. Lift up thine eyes, etc.]
the contrast to Lot's self-interested glance (v.10), while
Abram, by his magnanimous surrender of his claims, had
unconsciously chosen the good part.—15. It is very doubtful
if the (Hebrew characters) can be considered (with Di.) a new element of
the promise as compared with 127.—16. the dust of the earth] 2814.
This solemn assurance of the possession of the land (14-17) is somewhat
of a contrast to the simple promises of 122. 7; and has affinities
with a series of passages which appear to represent a later phase of
religious reflexion (see on ch. 15, p. 284). Other reasons are adduced
for thinking that 14-17 are the work of a younger hand than the original
J. (a) It is not the habit of J to cite divine oracles without a specification
of the circumstances under which the theophany takes place (but
see 121ff.). (b) The conception of Abram as wandering over the land
is not that of Jh, who fixes his permanent dwelling-place at Hebron.
(c) While Bethel commands a view of the Jordan valley, it affords no
the text is corrupt) and Sir. 3923. Should we read (Hebrew characters)?—(Hebrew characters)] see
1019.—(Hebrew characters)] S (Syriac characters) = Tanis ((Hebrew characters)) in Egypt (Nu. 1322, Is. 1911. 13 etc.),
which is preferred by Ball, but is rather an error caused by the preceding
(Hebrew characters).—11. (Hebrew characters) (cf. 112)] G (Greek characters), V ab oriente. But
the only possible sense here is 'eastward'; hence Sta. (Ak. Reden,
292) and Gu. emend to (Hebrew characters).—11b, in spite of its resemblance to 9aβ,
must be assigned to P, being necessary to the completeness of that
account, and because it disturbs the connexion of 11a with 12bβ.—16.
(Hebrew characters)] = 'so that' (G-K. § 166 b).—17. G adds at end (Greek characters)
