portions from the table is illustrated by 2 Sa. 118; cf. Hom. Il. vii. 321 f., Od. iv. 65 f., xiv. 437.—five times].
It is hardly accidental that the number five occurs so often in
reference to matters Egyptian (4134 4522 472. 24, Is. 1918). Whether
there be an allusion to the five planets recognised by the Egyptians
(Kn.), or to their ten days' week (Di.), it is impossible to say. Jeremias
(ATLO2, 385) connects it with the five intercalary days by which the
Egyptian calendar adjusted the difference between the conventionalised
lunar year (12 months of 30 days) and the solar year (365 days),—these
belonging to Benjamin as the representative of the 12th month! The
explanation is too ingenious, and overlooks the occurrence of the
numeral where Benjamin is not concerned.
XLIV. 1-17. The cup in Benjamin's sack.—1, 2. This
final test of the brethren's disposition is evidently arranged
between Joseph and the steward on the evening of the banquet,
to be carried out at daybreak (v.3).—1b. each man's money, etc.] Though this seems a useless repetition of 4225,
with no consequences in the sequel, the clause ought scarcely
to be omitted (with Gu.) before 2a.—2. the silver cup] Joseph's
ordinary drinking-vessel, but at the same time an implement
of divination (v.5): therefore his most precious possession.—3-5.
The trap is skilfully laid: just when they have
emerged from the city, and think all danger is left behind,
exulting in the fresh morning air, and still unwearied by
travel, they are arrested by the steward's challenge, and
finally plunged in despair.—4. Why have ye . . . good?] G
adds, 'Why have ye stolen my silver cup?' The addition
seems necessary in view of the following (
Hebrew characters).—5. and, moreover, he divines with (or in) it] See on v.15.
On the widely prevalent species of divination referred to ((Greek characters),
(Greek characters)), cf. August. De civit. Dei, vii. 35; Strabo, XVI. ii.
39; Iamblichus, De myst. iii. 14. Various methods seem to have been
1. G ins. (Greek characters) as subj.—(Hebrew characters)] Ba. plausibly, (Hebrew characters).—2.
(Hebrew characters)] Used of the golden cups of the candlestick (Ex. 2531ff. 3717ff.); elsewhere
only Jer. 355, along with the ordinary word for 'cup' ((Hebrew characters)), of the
'bowls' of wine set before the Rechabites.—3, 4. On the synt. of these
vv. see G-K. §§ 142 e, 156 f; Dav. §§ 141, 41, R. 3. The addition in G
runs: (Greek characters).—5. (Hebrew characters)] The derivation of
this vb. from (Hebrew characters), 'serpent,' first suggested by Boch. (Hieroz. i. 3), is supported
by (amongst others) Nö. (ZVP, i. 413) and Baudissin (Stud. i.
287); on the other hand, see We. Skizzen, iii. 147; and Rob. Sm. JPh.
