727f.).—9. playing with Isaac her son] The last words are
essential to the sense, and must be restored with GV (see
Jub. xvii. 4, with Charles's Note). It is the spectacle of
the two young children playing together, innocent of social
distinctions, that excites Sarah's maternal jealousy and
prompts her cruel demand. The chronology of P, according
to which Ishmael was some 17 years old, has for uncritical
readers spoiled the effect; and given rise to the notion of
Ishmael as a rude lad scoffing at the family joy, or to the still
more fanciful explanations current in Jewish circles.[1]—10.
with my son] If this presupposes an equal right of inheritance
as between the sons of the wife and the concubine (Gu.), it
also shows a certain opposition to that custom: cf. the
case of Jephthah, Ju. 111ff. (see Benz. Arch.2 296).—this
slave girl ((
Hebrew characters))] In E, Hagar is not Sarah's maid, but simply
a household slave, who has become her master's concubine.
11-13. Abraham's misgivings removed.—11. on account of his son] whom he loves as his own flesh and blood; for the mother, as a slave, he has no particular affection.—12. It is revealed to him (by night: cf. 14) that Sarah's maternal instincts are in accord with the divine purpose.—shall a seed be called to thee] i.e., 'in the line of Isaac shall thy name be perpetuated' (Is. 418, cf. Ro. 97, Heb. 1118). The same idea otherwise expressed in P (1719. 21.—13. Hagar's child (still unnamed) is also Abraham's seed, though his descendants are not to be known as such.—a great nation ([E]GS)] cf. 1720.
9. (Hebrew characters) G (Greek characters); so V (cf. Zec. 85).
The sense 'mock' ('play with' in a bad sense) would require a following
(Hebrew characters), but it is doubtful if it actually occurs. 3914. 17 may be explained after
268; in 1914 it means simply 'play' as opposed to serious behaviour (cf.
Pr. 2619). See above on v.6.—On the pausal [Language: **], see G-K. § 52 n.—11
end] G + (Greek characters) (wrongly).—12. (Hebrew characters)] G + (Greek characters).—13. [E]G read
(Hebrew characters): (Hebrew characters) also in VS.—[(Hebrew characters)] (Hebrew characters)—(Hebrew characters)] so v.18 463 (E).
- ↑ St. Paul's allusion to Ishmael as persecuting Isaac (Gal. 429,
(
Greek characters)) is based on this (Hebrew characters). For other Haggadic interpretations, see
Ber. R. § liii; Dri. DB, ii. 503b, and Gen. 210. Unchastity (cf. 3914. 17),
idolatry (Ex. 326, TJ Ra), attempted murder (2 Sa. 214, Pr. 2619), etc., are
among the crimes inferred from this unfortunate word.
