a mistake. The correct form is either (
Hebrew characters) (as 236. 11, etc.:
so Di. Dri.), or (better, as 192) (Hebrew characters): Sirs!—restoring (with
[E]) the pl. throughout the v.—The whole of Abraham's
speech is a fine example of the profuse, deferential, self-depreciatory
courtesy characteristic of Eastern manners.—4.
wash your feet] Cf. 192 2432 4324, Ju. 1921, 2 Sa. 118,
Lk. 744, 1 Ti. 510.—recline yourselves] not at meat (Gu.), but
during the preparation of the meal. Even in the time of
Amos (64) reclining at table seems to have been a new-*fangled
and luxurious habit introduced from abroad: ct.
the ancient custom 2719, Ju. 196, 1 Sa. 205. 24, 1 Ki. 1320.—5.
support your heart] with the food, Ju. 195. 8, 1 Ki. 137,
Ps. 10415; cf. bread the 'staff' of life, Lv. 2626, Is. 31.—seeing that, etc.] Hospitality is, so to speak, the logical
corollary of passing Abraham's tent.—6-8. The preparation
of a genuine Bedouin repast, consisting of hastily baked
cakes of bread, flesh, and milk in two forms. On the items,
v.i.—8. and they ate] So 193—the only cases in OT where
the Deity is represented as eating (ct. Ju. 620f. 1316). The
anthropomorphism is evaded by Jos. (Ant. i. 197: (Greek characters);
cf. Tob. 1219), TJ, Ra. al.
9-15. The promise of a son to Sarah.—The subject is introduced with consummate skill. In the course of the conversation which naturally follows the meal, an apparently casual question leads to an announcement which shows
[E] (Hebrew characters).—5. (Hebrew characters) ([E]GTOJ) is the better reading, to
which G adds (Greek characters) (cf. 192).—(Hebrew characters) is not to be resolved
into (Hebrew characters) and (Hebrew characters), denn eben desshalb (G-B.14, 308 a; De. al.); but is a
compound conjunction = quandoquidem, 'inasmuch as' (Tu. Di. Dri.),
as usage clearly shows; cf. 198 3310 3826 Nu. 1031 1443 (all J), Ju. 622,
2 Sa. 1820, Jer. 2928 384[B]; see G-K. § 158 b3; BDB, 475 b.—(Hebrew characters) G
(Greek characters) = (Hebrew characters) (192f.), which is too rashly accepted by Ba.—(Hebrew characters)]
G has the sing. wrongly.—6. Three seahs would be (according
to Kennedy's computation, DB, iv. 912) approximately equal to 4-1/2
pecks.—(Hebrew characters)] G , [V similæ] which might stand either
for (Hebrew characters) (1 Sa. 124) or (Hebrew characters) (as in every other instance). The latter (the
finer variety) is here probably a gloss on (Hebrew characters).—(Hebrew characters)] (G (Greek characters), V
subcinericios panes) are thin round cakes baked on hot stones or in the
ashes (Benz. Arch.2 64).—8. (Hebrew characters) is the Ar. laban, milk slightly soured
by fermentation, which is greatly esteemed by the nomads of Syria and
Arabia as a refreshing and nourishing beverage (see EB, iii. 3089 f.).
