(c. 350 miles as the crow flies) is much too great to be traversed in that time.
If the v. be from J (Gu. Pro.), we must assume (what is no doubt conceivable) that the writer's geographical knowledge was defective. But it is a strong reason for assigning the v. to E, that in that source nothing is said of Ḥarran or the Euphrates, and Laban's home is placed somewhere in the eastern desert (see 291). 24. God (not the Angel of God, as v.11) warns Laban in a dream to take heed to his words when he encounters Jacob.—good or bad] 'anything whatever' (2450, 2 Sa. 1322 etc.). Laban did not interpret the prohibition literally (29).—25. in the mountain . . .] The idea suggested being that Jacob and Laban encamped each on a different mountain, we must suppose the name to have been omitted. The insertion of Miẓpāh (v.49) is strongly recommended by Ju. 1017 (see Ball, 88).—On the situation of Mount Gilead, see p. 402 f.
26-43. The altercation.
The subjects of recrimination are: on Laban's part, (a) the secret
flight, (b) the carrying off of his daughters, and (c) the theft of his god;
on Jacob's part, (d) the hardships of his 20 years' service, and (e) the
attempts to defraud him of his hire. Of these, b, c, and e certainly
belong to E; a and d more probably to J.—In detail, the vv. that can
be confidently assigned to E are: 26 ((
Hebrew characters), as 20), 28 (continuation of 26),
29 (cf. 24), 30. 32-35 ((Hebrew characters)), 41 ('ten times'), 42 (cf. 24. 29) and 43 (because of
the connexion with 26. 28): note also (Hebrew characters), 29. 42; (Hebrew characters), 33. The sequence
of E is interrupted by 27 ( 26). 31b (the natural answer to 27), 36a ( 36b):
these clauses are accordingly assigned to J; along with 38-40 (a parallel
to 41f.). The analysis (which is due to Gu.) yields for E a complete
narrative: 26. 28-31a. 32-35. 36b. 37. 41-43. The Yahwistic parallel is all but
complete (27. 31a. b. 36a. 38-40); but we miss something after 31 to account
for Jacob's exasperation in 36. We may suppose (with Gu.) that Laban
had accused Jacob of stealing his flocks, and that 38-40 is a reply to
this charge.—Procksch's division is slightly different.
26-28. Laban offers a sentimental pretext for his warlike
demonstration: in E his slighted affection for his offspring
(28); in J his desire to honour a parting guest (27).—27. with mirth and music] This manner of speeding the parting guest
25. (Hebrew characters)] Better (Hebrew characters) (Ba.).—26, 27. G om. (Hebrew characters), and transp.
27a. 26b.—27. (Hebrew characters)] G (Hebrew characters), which is perhaps better than MT.—28. (Hebrew characters)]
usually 'reject' or 'abandon'; only here = 'allow.'—(Hebrew characters)] for (Hebrew characters) (G-K.
