112 JUDAISM AND ISLAM.
mocked at Potiphar's wife, were invited in by her, and in contemplating Joseph's beauty x were so absorbed that they cut their own hands, is found in an old Jewish writing 2 which, though not genuine, is certainly very ancient, and is written is very pure Hebrew. This work is sometimes referred to in the Midrash Yalkut under the name of " The Great Chronicle/' 3 In an old Jewish German translation
v
however, it bears another title. 4 It is this translation which I have before me as I write, and for this reason I will not quote the actual words. 5 Also the discussion .about the
" Ketada and the greater number of the commentators say that he saw the form of Jacob, who said : ' Joseph, though thy name is written among the prophets yet thou behavest like the fools.' "
1 Elpherar on xii. 81, agreeing with the Sepher Hayyashar, gives, contrary to Wahl's forced interpretation, the correct meaning as follows :
" They cut themselves with the knife which they had in their hands, thinking they were cutting the orange, but they did not feel the pain on account of their absorption in the contemplation of Joseph."
3 - 3 4
5 An allusion to this fable is found in a passage from the Midrash Abhkir quoted in the Midr. Yalkut, chapter 146. The Quran story is seen to be still more like the narrative in Sepher
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Hayyashar, when one adds the following details. The word v&* (verse 81) comes from & (viii) to lean against, like the Eabbinical
from "T5>D to support, prop ; and like the Hebrew 3D) from it signifies a meal, not on account of the new strength and support which food gives (to which one might easily be led by the expression T7 15?D> compare especially Psalm, civ. 15), but on account of the oriental method of leaning against supports at meals, as Elpherar rightly observes :
