105f., 2 Ki. 315); Gu. surmises that a sacrificial meal, establishing communion
with the Deity, was originally intended (cf. (
Hebrew characters), v.7: see Nu. 231).
6-17. Rebekah's stratagem.—The mother's jealousy
for her favourite son (2528) is aroused by what she has overheard;
and she instantly devises a scheme whose daring
and ingenuity illustrate the Hebrew notion of capable and
quick-witted womanhood.—7. before Yahwe] in the solemn
consciousness of Yahwe's presence: see on v.4.—11-13
probably belong to E (see above), and may be omitted from
the other narrative, with the effect of making Rebekah's
initiative still more apparent: Jacob obeys her without a
word.—11. a hairy man] see 2525. The objection shows
just enough shrewdness on Jacob's part to throw his mother's
resourcefulness into bolder relief.—13. On me be thy curse] cf.
165.—15. the choice clothes] the festal raiment: the fact that
this would have been put on by Esau proves once more that
the blessing was a religious ceremony. Since the clothes
were in Rebekah's charge, Esau must (as Ho. points out)
have been still an unmarried man (ct. P 2634f.).—16[**.?] goes
with 11-13 (E), and may be removed without breach of continuity.—17.
Rebekah's part being now ended, Jacob is left
to his own resources.
18-29. Jacob obtains the blessing.—20. How very quickly thou hast found it, my son!—] an exclamation rather
than a question: the answer being: Yes, for Yahwe, etc.—(Hebrew characters)]
caused the right thing to happen, as 2412 (J).—21-23
may be the direct continuation of 19a (E); the clause
6. (Hebrew characters)] cf. (Hebrew characters), v.5; the addition of (Hebrew characters) (G) is unnecessary.—8. (Hebrew characters) and
(Hebrew characters) may be variants: acc. to Di. (Hebrew characters) is characteristic of E, and
(Hebrew characters) of J.—12. (Hebrew characters) ([root] (Hebrew characters)]), properly 'a stammerer' (cf. Ar. ta'ta'a) then
'a mocker' (2 Ch. 3616); hence not a mere practical joker (Kn-Di.), but a
profaner of religious solemnities (Ho. Gu.).—(Hebrew characters)] S (Syriac characters) (2 s.f.).—13.
(Hebrew characters) is given by Di. as a mark of E, in distinction from J's (Hebrew characters) (198 248).—15.
(Hebrew characters) being masc. (exc. Lv. 620), and (Hebrew characters) in usage a subst., it is
best to suppose (Hebrew characters) repeated as nom. regens before the gen. (otherwise
Dav. § 27).
18. (Hebrew characters)1 is probably to be assigned to E for the same reason as
1b, though something similar must have stood in the other source: Gu.,
however, makes 19b the direct sequel of ((Hebrew characters)) (Hebrew characters) in 18a (J), giving 19a
to E.—(Hebrew characters)] GVS (Hebrew characters) (cf. 10. 14. 31.—23. (Hebrew characters)] Another view of the con-
