of the land (v.i.) . . . the fat of the] The expressions
are not altogether inapplicable to Goshen (W. Ṭumīlāt),
which was rendered fertile by a canal, and is still spoken of
as the best pasture-land in Egypt (Robinson, BR, i. 53 f.).
But since E never mentions a separate location in Goshen,
there is no need to force that sense upon them; the meaning
is general: the best of everything that Egypt can afford (v.i.).—19.
The opening words (v.i.) throw some doubt on the
originality of the v.; and there certainly seems no more
reason for ascribing it to J (Gu.) than to E.—The baggage-waggon
((
Hebrew characters)) is said to have been introduced into Egypt from
Canaan, with its Semitic name (Eg. [Footnote: 'agolt]): Erman, LAE,
491.[1]—20. Let not your eye pity] The phrase is Deuteronomic,
and seems a very strong one for concern about household
implements. According to J (10b. 11b 461. 32) they brought
'all they possessed,' which, if they were half-nomads, would
be possible without waggons.
21-28. The brethren return to Canaan.—22. Presents of expensive clothes are a common mark of courtesy in the East: cf. Ju. 1412f. 19, 2 Ki. 55. 22f..—changes of raiment] such as were substituted for ordinary clothing on festal occasions (see on 2715).—Benjamin receives five such suits: see on 4334.—23. of the best (produce) of Egypt] A munificent return
(Greek characters).—For 'the best part,' P uses (Hebrew characters) (476, 11).—19. (Hebrew characters)]
The pass. is awkward in itself, and has no syntactic connexion
with the following (Hebrew characters) (hence S inserts (Syriac characters)). Di. Kit.
emend (Hebrew characters); Ba. (Hebrew characters) (after G (Greek characters); cf. V;
Gu. (Hebrew characters): the first is best. But it is still difficult to understand the
extreme emphasis laid on this point; and a suspicion remains that either
the whole v. (Di.), or the introduction, is due to a scribe who wished to
make it clear that the waggons were not sent without Pharaoh's express
authority: see on v.21.
21. (Hebrew characters)—(Hebrew characters)] The statement is premature, and furnishes an additional
indication that this part of the narrative has been worked over.
The repeated (Hebrew characters) also suggests a doublet or interpolation. In 19-21, Di.
leaves to E only (Hebrew characters); KS. only the second of
these clauses, the rest being redactional.—(Hebrew characters)] as 4225 (E).—23.
(Hebrew characters)] (so pointed only here): 'in like manner' (Ju. 88).—(Hebrew characters)) (2 Ch. 1123† )
from an Aram. [root] (Hebrew characters) = 'feed.'—Of the three nouns, (Hebrew characters), (Hebrew characters), and (Hebrew characters), G
- ↑ Cf. Heyes, Bib. u. Aeg. i. 251.
