short with the opening of the first sack. In J, each man
found his money at the 'inn' (4321).—28. their heart went out] 'their courage sank.' Partly from the anticipated
accusation of theft (4318), but still more from the superstitious
notion that God was bringing trouble upon them.—(Hebrew characters)]
J's peculiar word for 'corn-sack' (v.i.)—The last
clause, however, What has God ((
Hebrew characters)) done to us?] is
apparently taken from E, probably transposed from the end
of 35 (KS.).—29-34. They recount their experiences to
Jacob.—30. treated us as spies] Better, as G (v.i.), 'put us in
ward as spies.'—35. See on 27f.. The incident explains
Jacob's foreboding (v.36) that Simeon and Benjamin are as
good as lost.—36. Me have ye bereaved . . . upon me all this has come] The point of the complaint is that it is his
children, not their own, that they are throwing away one
after another: to which Reuben's offer to sacrifice his two
sons is the apt rejoinder.—37 is E's variant to 439: here
Reuben, there Judah, becomes surety for Benjamin. In E
an immediate return to Egypt is contemplated, that Simeon
may be released; hence the discussion about sending
Benjamin takes place at once. In J the thought of returning
is put off to the last possible moment (438), and the difficulty
about Benjamin does not yet arise.—38 therefore has been
removed from its original context: see on 431. 2.—bring down . . . to She'ōl] See on 3735.
Chs. XLIII. XLIV.—The second Visit to Egypt (J).
The supply of food being exhausted, another family council is held, at which Jacob's reluctance to part with Benjamin is at last overcome by Judah becoming surety for his safe return: the eleven brethren set out with a present
Ar.—28. (Hebrew characters)] [E]G add (
Hebrew characters) unnecessarily.—(
Hebrew characters)] Pregn. const.; G-K.
§ 119 gg.—30. (
Hebrew characters)] G + [Greek: en phylakê (= (
Hebrew characters)).—32. (
Hebrew characters)] [E]GS
transp.—33. (
Hebrew characters)] Rd. with GSTO (
Hebrew characters), as v.19.—34. (
Hebrew characters)] GSV
pr. (
Hebrew characters).—35. On the syntax, cf. G-K. § 111 g.—36. (
Hebrew characters)] for (
Hebrew characters), as Pr
3129 (G-K. § 91 f). On E's preference for these lengthened suff., see
Di. on 4121.