that are not done] are not sanctioned by the conventional
code of morals: cf. 347, 2 Sa. 1312 etc.—To this rebuke
Abraham (as in 1218f.) has no reply, and Abimelech proceeds
in—10 to inquire into his motive for so acting.—(
Hebrew characters)
'What possessed thee?' (v.i.).—11-13. Abraham's self-exculpation,
which is at the same time the writer's apology
for his conduct, consists of three excuses: (1) he was
actuated by fear for his life; (2) he had not been guilty of
direct falsehood, but only of mental reservation; (3) the
deceit was not practised for the first time on Abimelech, but
was a preconcerted scheme which (it is perhaps implied) had
worked well enough in other places. Whether 2 and 3 had
any foundation in the Elohistic tradition, or were invented
by the narrator ad hoc (Gu.), we cannot now determine.—11.
There is no piety ((Hebrew characters)) in this place] Religion was
the only sanction of international morality, the gêr having
no civil rights; cf. 4218: see Bertholet, Stellung d. Fremden,
15. Cf. 1212.—12. Besides, she really is my sister] Marriage
with a half-sister on the father's side was frequent among
the Semites (Smith, KM2, 191 f.), and was allowed in ancient
Israel (2 Sa. 1313), though prohibited by later legislation
(Dt. 2722, Lv. 189. 11 2017).—13. When God caused me to stray] The expression is peculiar, as if God had driven him
rashly adopted by Ba. Ho. Kit.—(Hebrew characters)] G (Greek characters).—10. (Hebrew characters) G (Greek characters);
so V. Ba. conj. (Hebrew characters); Gu. (Hebrew characters). The translation given above is
taken from Bacher, ZATW, xix. 345 ff., who cites many examples from
NH of the idiom (lit. 'What hast thou experienced?').—11. (Hebrew characters)] [E] (Hebrew characters).—(Hebrew characters)]
= '[I should act otherwise] only,' etc.: a purely asseverative force
(BDB) seems to me insufficiently established by Dt. 46, 1 Ki. 2125, 2 Ch.
2810, Ps. 326.—12. (Hebrew characters)] [E] (Hebrew characters)[(Hebrew characters)?], as 1813, Nu. 2237; but cf. Jos. 720.
These are all the occurrences in Hex.—13. (Hebrew characters)] [E] (Hebrew characters). The constr. of
(Hebrew characters) (pl. emin.) with pl. pred. is exceptional, though not uncommon (3153
357, Jos. 2419), and does not appear to be regulated in our present text
by any principle. A tendency to substitute sing. for pl. is shown by
1 Ch. 1721 cpd. with 2 Sa. 723; and it is probable that the change has
taken place in many cases where we have no means of tracing it: see
Str.2 77; G-K. § 145 i. A kindred and equally inexplicable anomaly is
the sporadic use of the art. with this word (so vv.6. 17). Both phenomena
are probably survivals from a polytheistic form of the legend.—(Hebrew characters)] [E] +
(Hebrew characters) (as 121).—(Hebrew characters)] determined by following relative clause;
so Ex. 2024, Dt. 1124.
