Page:A critical and exegetical commentary on Genesis (1910).djvu/446

16. Taking no notice of the stranger, the maiden went down to the fountain ((Hebrew characters)) . . . and came up] In Eastern wells the water is frequently reached by steps: ct. Ex. 2¹⁶ ((Hebrew characters)), Jn. 4¹¹.—19, 20. The writer lingers over the scene, with evident delight in the alert and gracious actions of the damsel.—21. The servant meanwhile has stood gazing at her in silence, watching the ample fulfilment of the sign.—22. The nose-ring and bracelets are not the bridal gift (Gu.), but a reward for the service rendered, intended to excite interest in the stranger, and secure the goodwill of the maiden. See Lane, Mod. Eg.⁵ ii. 320, 323; cf. RS², 453².—23-25. In the twofold question and answer, there is perhaps a trace of the composition of narratives; v.i.—24. See on ¹⁵. Read the daughter of Milkah whom she bore to Nāḥôr (as 34¹).—26, 27. The servant's act of worship marks the close of the scene.

28-32. Laban's hospitality is inspired by the selfish greed for which that worthy was noted in tradition.—28. her mothers house cannot mean merely the female side of the family (Di.), for Laban belongs to it, and ^{53. 55} imply that the father (whether Bethuel or Nāḥôr) is not the head of the house. Some find in the notice a relic of matriarchy (Ho. Gu.); but the only necessary inference is that the father was dead.—31. seeing I have cleared the house] turning part of

(Hebrew characters) (⁴⁵).—18 end] G + (Greek characters), omitting the first two words of v.¹⁹.—20. (Hebrew characters)] the stone trough for watering animals, found at every well (30³⁸, cf. 30⁴¹, Ex. 2¹⁶).—21. (Hebrew characters)] not 'wondering' ([root] (Hebrew characters); so De.), but 'gazing' (by-form of [root] (Hebrew characters)) as Is. 41¹⁰. Constr. before prep.: G-K. § 130 a.—22. (Hebrew characters)] [E] + (Hebrew characters), a necessary addition (cf. ⁴⁷). (Hebrew characters) accordingly is here a 'nose-jewel' (Is. 3²¹, Pr. 11²²), in 35⁴, Ex. 32^{2. 3} (E) an earring.—(Hebrew characters)] = 1/2 shekel (Ex. 38²⁶).—23-25. The theory of two recensions derives some little support from the repeated (Hebrew characters) of ^{24. 25}. A mere rearrangement such as Ba. proposes (^{23a. 24. 23b. 25}) only cures one anomaly by creating another; and is, besides, impossible if the amendment given above for v.²⁴ be accepted.—25. (Hebrew characters)] [E] (Hebrew characters), as v.²³; but inf. elsewhere is always (Hebrew characters).—27. (Hebrew characters) emphasises the following acc. suff. (G-K. §§ 143 b, 135 d, e). S (Syriac characters) implies perhaps (Hebrew characters) (Ba.) or (Hebrew characters) (Kit.); if not a mistake for (Syriac characters).—(Hebrew characters)] Point (Hebrew characters) (sing.) with Vns.

28. (Hebrew characters)] S (Syriac characters) (wrongly).—30. (Hebrew characters) ([E]) is better than MT (Hebrew characters)—(Hebrew characters)] see G-K. § 116 s; Dav. § 100 (a).—31. (Hebrew characters)] 'cleared away,'