Robinson, BR, i. 490; Thomson, LB, 589; Palmer, Des. of Ex. ii. 319 f.; cf. also Diod. ii. 48, xix. 94.—4. Jacob accosts the shepherds, and learns that they come from Ḥarran. There is nothing else in the narrative to suggest the proximity of a great city; Laban is no city-dweller as in ch. 24, but a nomad sheikh; and the life depicted is everywhere that of the desert. All this confirms the impression that the topography of E (v.1) has been modified by J in accordance with the theory that Ḥarran was the city of Nahor.—5. the son of Nāḥôr] see on 2415.—7, 8. Jacob is puzzled by the leisurely ways of these Eastern herdsmen, whom he ironically supposes to have ceased work for the day. He is soon to show them an example of how things should be done, careless of the conventions which they plead as an excuse.—9. a shepherdess] cf. Ex. 216. The trait is in accordance with the freedom still allowed to unmarried girls among the Bedouin. Burck. found it an established rule among the Arabs of Sinai that only girls should drive the cattle to pasture (Bedouin, i. 351).—10. The removal of the stone is a feat of strength which has been thought to belong to a more primitive legend, in which Jacob figured as a giant (Di. Gu. al.): cf. 3226.—11. wept aloud] 'after the demonstrative fashion of the Oriental' (Ben.),—tears of joy at the happy termination of his journey.—12. brother] as in v.15 138 1414 (2448?).—13. kissed him repeatedly (Piel)] The effusive display of affection, perhaps not wholly disinterested, is characteristic of Laban (cf. 2429ff.).—14. my bone and my flesh] as 3727, Ju. 92, 2 Sa. 51 1913f.. It is an absurd suggestion that the exclamation is called forth by the recital of Jacob's dealings with Esau, in which Laban recognised a spiritual affinity to himself! The phrase denotes literal consanguinity and nothing more.
the art. (with [E]).—3. (
Hebrew characters)] [E] (Hebrew characters), needlessly substituted by Ba. So
also v.8, where [E] is supported by G.—6. Before (Hebrew characters), G ins. (Greek characters)
(as v.9). An assimilating tendency reappears at the end of the
v.; and the variations have no critical value.—9. (Hebrew characters)] perf.; ct. the
ptcp. (Hebrew characters) in v.6.—(Hebrew characters)] G + (Greek characters).—10. (Hebrew characters)] with
original i in impf. Qal?] (G-K. § 67 p).—13. (Hebrew characters) (G (Hebrew characters)) = 'the report concerning,'
followed as always by gen. obj.—14. (Hebrew characters)] 'a whole month';
see G-K. § 131 d.
