25-31. Jacob proposes to provide for his own house.—A
preliminary parley, in which both parties feel their way
to an understanding.—26 (E). thou knowest with what kind of service, etc.] E always lays stress on Jacob's rectitude (cf.
33).—27 (J). If I have found favour, etc.] followed by aposiopesis,
as 183 2313.—Laban continues: I have taken omens
((
Hebrew characters); cf. 445. 15, 1 Ki. 2033) and (found that) Yahwe has blessed me, etc.]—an abject plea for Jacob's remaining with
him.—28 (E). Laban surrenders at once (the answer is in
v.32), whereas—29, 30 in J, Jacob presses for a discharge:
his service has been of immense value to Laban,
but he has a family to consider.—31. anything at all] See
introd. note above.—this thing] which I am about to mention.—resume herding thy flock] G-K. § 120 g.
32-36. The new contract.—The point in both narratives is that parti-coloured animals form a very small proportion of a flock, the Syrian sheep being nearly all white (Ca. 42 66, Dn. 79) and the goats black or brown (Ca. 41b). In E, Jacob simply asks this small share as his payment.—32. and it shall be my hire] The rendering 'and of this sort shall be my hire' (in future), is merely a violent attempt to obliterate
26. (Hebrew characters)] Not necessarily a gloss; the children might fairly be considered
included in Jacob's wages.—27. On (Hebrew characters), v. 445.—(Hebrew characters)] G (Greek characters),
Arm. in pede tuo = (Hebrew characters) (30).—28. GV om. (Hebrew characters), smoothing over
the transition from J to E.—(Hebrew characters)] 'designate' (lit. 'prick [off]'): cf. the
use of Niph. in Nu. 117, 1 Ch. 1641 etc.—29. (Hebrew characters)] 'the manner in
which' (G-K. § 157 c); but S reads as in v.26.—30. (Hebrew characters)] contrasted
with (Hebrew characters) above. Prosperity has followed Jacob 'wherever he went'
(cf. Is. 412, Jb. 1811 etc.). It is unnecessary to emend (Hebrew characters) (STO,
Che.).—31. (Hebrew characters)] (GS pr. (Hebrew characters)) must be deleted on account of its awkward
position.
32. (Hebrew characters), (Hebrew characters)] To get rid of the change of person (and the division of
sources) many construe the latter as inf. abs. ('removing'); but the only
natural rendering is impve. (cf. 35), G has impve. both times.—(Hebrew characters)—(Hebrew characters)]
G (Greek characters),
a smoother and therefore less original text. The Heb. seems
overloaded; Gu. strikes out (Hebrew characters), and the corresponding cll.
in 33. 35.—(Hebrew characters)] 'speckled and spotted,' 'parti-coloured.' The words
are practically synonymous, both being distinct from (Hebrew characters) (35. 39. 40 318. 10. 12 †), which means 'striped.' If there be a difference, (Hebrew characters) (35. 39 318 10. 12 † )
suggests smaller spots than (Hebrew characters) (cf. Ezk. 1616, Jos. 95, the only places
where the [root] occurs outside this pass.).—(Hebrew characters)] only in this chap.: = 'black'
