have a meaning for the governor of which the speaker is all unconscious.—29. in trouble to She'ōl] Cf. 4238 3735 4431.—30. his soul (not 'life') is bound up, etc.] a figure for inalienable affection; as 1 Sa. 181.
Ch. XLV.—Joseph reveals himself to his Brethren (E, J).
The crisis so slowly matured and so skilfully led up to is at last reached, and in a scene of inimitable power and tenderness Joseph makes himself known to his brethren (1-8). In a message to his father he discloses his plans for the future, inviting the whole family to settle in Egypt while the famine lasted (9-15). The invitation is confirmed by the king (16-20); and the brethren depart laden with rich gifts and provision for the journey (21-24). Jacob, after a momentary incredulity, is cheered by the prospect of seeing Joseph before his death (25-28).
The sources, E and J, are here so intimately blended that a complete
analysis is impossible. The main fact is the preponderance of E, which
appears both from language ((
Hebrew characters), 5. 7. 8. 9; (Hebrew characters), 25; (Hebrew characters), 5 [3135]; (Hebrew characters), 21
[4225]; (Hebrew characters), 23; perhaps also (Hebrew characters), 23; and (Hebrew characters), 17 [ct. J's (Hebrew characters),
4413]), and representation: ct. v.3 with 4327f., 17-20 with 4631-475 (J), where
Joseph's kindred are apparently brought under Pharaoh's notice for the
first time. Indubitable traces of J are found in 4b. 5a (the selling of Joseph),
10 (Goshen,—see the notes), 28 ((Hebrew characters)); these are supported by the expressions,
(Hebrew characters), 1a (as 4331); (Hebrew characters), 5a; (Hebrew characters), 13; (Hebrew characters), 14. Thus far in
the main We. and Di. More subtle and less reliable criteria are applied
by Gu. (402 f., 406), and (with very different results) by Pro. (52 f.).
It is probable that 3 (E) is 4 (J), and (agt. Pro.) 9 (E) 13 (J). But it is very
doubtful if the dismissal of the attendants (1) be inconsistent with the
overhearing of the weeping (2), or if the latter be necessarily connected
with the Pharaoh's invitation (16ff.).—Some minor questions, such as
the 'waggons' of 19. 21 27 (cf. 465), and the authorship of vv.19-21, must
be reserved for the notes.
1-8. The disclosure.—1, 2. Joseph's self-restraint gives
way before Judah's irresistible appeal.—It is pressing matters
too far to say that the dismissal of the attendants is a device
31. (Hebrew characters)] [E]GVS + (Hebrew characters) (as v.30).—32. (Hebrew characters)] [E] (Hebrew characters), S (Hebrew characters).—34. (Hebrew characters)]
G (Hebrew characters).
1. (Hebrew characters)] Nu. 126[dagger] (E?).—2. (Hebrew characters)] G (Hebrew characters). The pointing (Hebrew characters)
without art. (Gu.) is no improvement.—(Hebrew characters)] GS (Hebrew characters), as in v.16; so
