ture]? And Jacob changed the direction of his hands, and laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, the second and younger, and blessed him. And Joseph said to Jacob, "Transfer thy right hand to the head of Manasseh,[1] for he is my first-born son."[2] And Jacob said, "I know it, my son, I know it; but the elder shall serve the younger: yet he also shall be blessed."[3] Ye see on whom he laid[4] [his hands], that this people should be first, and heir of the covenant. If then, still further, the same thing was intimated through Abraham, we reach the perfection of our knowledge. What, then, says He to Abraham? "Because thou hast believed,[5] it is imputed to thee for righteousness: behold, I have made thee the father of those nations who believe in the Lord while in [a state of] uncircumcision."[6]
Chap. xiv.—The Lord hath given us the testament which Moses received and broke.
Yes [it is even so]; but let us inquire if the Lord has really given that testament which He swore to the fathers that He would give[7] to the people. He did give it; but "they were not worthy to receive it, on account of their sins. For the prophet declares, "And Moses was fasting forty days and forty nights on Mount Sinai, that he might receive the testament of the Lord for the people."[8] And he received from the Lord[9] two tables, written in the spirit by the finger of the hand of the Lord. And Moses having received them, carried them down to give to the people. And the Lord said to Moses, "Moses, Moses, go down quickly; for thy
- ↑ Cod. Sin. reads each time "Ephraim," by a manifest mistake, instead of Manasseh.
- ↑ Gen. xlviii. 18.
- ↑ Gen. xlviii. 19.
- ↑ Or, "of whom he willed."
- ↑ Cod. Sin. has, "when alone believing," and is followed by Hilgenfeld to this effect: "What, then, says He to Abraham, when, alone believing, he was placed in righteousness? Behold," etc.
- ↑ Gen. xv. 6, xvii. 5; comp. Rom. iv. 3.
- ↑ Cod. Sin. absurdly repeats "to give."
- ↑ Ex. xxiv. 18.
- ↑ Ex. xxxi. 18.
