for the writer of the Code; though it is not easy to determine of what nature that interest was (see the closing note).
Source.—That the chapter belongs to P is proved (a) by allusions in
later parts of the Code (259f. 4929ff. 5013); (b) by the juristic formalism
and redundancy of the style; (c) by the names (
Hebrew characters);
and the expressions (Hebrew characters), 4; (Hebrew characters), 4. 9. 20; (Hebrew characters), 6; (Hebrew characters), 17. 20; (Hebrew characters), 18 (see
the notes; and cf. Di. Ho. Gu.). Against this we have to set the (Hebrew characters) of
v.4, which is never elsewhere used by P.—At the same time it is difficult to
acquiesce in the opinion that we have to do with a 'free composition' of
the writers of P. The passage has far more the appearance of a transcript
from real life than any other section in the whole of P; and its
markedly secular tone (the name of God is never once mentioned) is in
strong contrast to the free introduction of the divine activity in human
affairs which is characteristic of that document. It seems probable
that the narrative is based on some local tradition by which the form of
representation has been partly determined. A similar view is taken by
Eerdmans (Komp. d. Gen. 88), who, however, assigns the chapter to the
oldest stratum of Gen., dating at latest from 700 B.C. Steuernagel (SK,
1908, 628) agrees that ch. 23 is not in P's manner; but thinks it a
midrashic expansion of a brief notice in that document.[1]
1, 2. The death of Sarah.—2. Ḳiryath-’Arba‘] an old
name of Hebron, v.i.—(Hebrew characters)] not 'came,' but went in—to
where the body lay.—to wail . . . weep] with the customary
loud demonstrations of grief (Schwally, Leben n. d. Tode,
20; DB, iii. 453 ff.).
1. After (Hebrew characters) it is advisable to insert (Hebrew characters) (Ba. Kit.: cf. 479. 28). The
omission may have caused the addition of the gloss (Hebrew characters) at the
end (wanting in G).—2. (Hebrew characters) (G (Greek characters))] The old name of
Hebron (Jos. 1415, Ju. 110), though seemingly in use after the Exile
- ↑ Sayce's contention (EHH, 57 ff.), that the incident 'belongs essentially
to the early Babylonian and not to the Assyrian period,' is not borne
out by the cuneiform documents to which he refers; the correspondences
adduced being quite as close with contracts of the later Ass. kings as
with those of the age of Ḫammurabi. Thus, the expression 'full silver'
(v.9) is frequent under Sargon and subsequently (KIB, iv. 108 ff.); under
the first Babylonian dynasty the phrase is 'silver to the full price' (ib.
7 ff.). The formula for 'before' (a witness) is, in the earlier tablets,
maḫar; in the later, pân,—neither the precise equivalent of those here
used ((
Hebrew characters) and (Hebrew characters)). There remains only the expression 'weigh silver,'
which does appear to be characteristic of the older contracts; but since
this phrase survived in Heb. till the latest times (Zec. 1112, Est. 39), it is
plain that nothing can be inferred from it. Sayce has not strengthened
his case by the arguments in ET, 1907, 418 ff.; see Dri. 230, and
Addenda7, XXXVII f.]
