pression is an anachronism in the patriarchal history. It is
barely possible that both here and in 3914. 17 (4112) there is a
faint reminiscence of the historical background of the legends,
the early occupation of Palestine by Hebrew tribes.—15b (J)
was probably followed in the original document by an explanation
of the circumstances which led to his imprisonment.—16-19.
The baker's dream contains sinister features
which were absent from the first, the decisive difference
being that while the butler dreamed that he actually performed
the duties of his office, the baker only sought to do
so, and was prevented (Gu.).—16. three baskets of white bread] The meaning of (
Hebrew characters), however, is doubtful (v.i.).—upon my head] See the picture of the court-bakery of
Rameses III. in Ebers, Aeg. 332; Erman, LAE, 191. According
to Ebers, the custom of carrying on the head (Herod.
ii. 35) was not usual in ancient Egypt except for bakers.—17.
in the uppermost basket] Were the other two empty (Ho.
Ben.)? or were they filled with inferior bread for the court
(Gu.)?—all manner of bakemeats] The court-baker of
Rameses III. "is not content with the usual shapes used for
bread, but makes his cakes in all manner of forms. Some
are of a spiral shape like the 'snails' of our confectioners;
others are coloured dark-brown or red," etc. (Erman, 192).—while the birds kept eating] In real life he would have driven
off the birds (cf. 1511); in the dream—and this is the ominous
circumstance—he cannot.—19. lift thy head from off thee]
In view of the fulfilment, it is perhaps better (with Ball) to
remove (Hebrew characters) as a mistaken repetition of the last word of the
v., and to understand the phrase of the baker's release from
prison (see on v.13). The verb hang may then refer to the
mode of execution, and not merely (as generally supposed)
essential an element of the request to be made a mere condition, has no
great weight; and might be met by giving (Hebrew characters) interrogative force (Ho.).
See, further, Dri. T. § 119 ((Greek characters)).—(Hebrew characters)] The only case of consec. pf. followed
by (Hebrew characters) (G-K. § 105 b).—(Hebrew characters)] GVSTOJ seem to have read
(Hebrew characters), or (Hebrew characters).—16. (Hebrew characters)] (Greek characters), commonly derived from
[root] (Hebrew characters) 'be white'; so virtually G Aq. VSTJ; but TO 'of nobility' ((Hebrew characters)).
Others (Ra. al.) understand it as a characteristic of the baskets: 'perforated'
(from (Hebrew characters), 'hole'). The (Greek characters) (of palm-leaves) of Σ. seems to
