the richer blessing.—15, 16. The Blessing (E).—The three-*fold invocation of the Deity reminds us of the Aaronic benediction (Nu. 624ff.), which has some resemblance to a feature of Babylonian liturgies (see Je. Hölle und Paradies, 30): "in such cases the polytheist names all the gods he worships, the ancient monotheist all the names and attributes of the God he knows" (Gu.).—before whom . . . walked] cf. 171.—who shepherded me] Cf. 4924, Ps. 231 289, Is. 4011. The image is appropriate in the mouth of the master-shepherd Jacob (Di.).—16. the Angel . . . evil] The passages in Jacob's life where an angel or angels intervene (2811ff. 3111 322f.) all belong to the source E; they are not, however, specially connected with deliverances from evil; and the substitution of 'angel' for 'God' is not explained.—let my name be named in them] 'Let them be known as sons of Jacob,' and reckoned among the tribes of Israel.—17-19. Continuing 14 (J).—Joseph thinks his father had counted on the elder being on his left (Joseph's right) hand, and will now correct his mistake.—19. But Jacob, speaking under inspiration, declares his action to be significant.—the fulness of the nations] A peculiar expression for populousness. Cf. Dt. 3317 ('myriads of Ephraim'; 'thousands of Manasseh').—20. The clause And he blessed them that day] is (if not redactional) the conclusion of J's account: the words of blessing are not given. The rest of the v. concludes the blessing of E (15f.).—By thee (G you) shall Israel bless] The formula must have been in actual use, and is said to be still current amongst Jews (Str.).—he put E. before M.] If the words are original (E), they call attention to the fact that in the benediction Ephraim had been named first, and find in that slight
locks.' In spite of the philological equivalence, Dri. is justly sceptical
of so remote an analogy.—(
Hebrew characters)] G om.—15. (Hebrew characters)] G (Hebrew characters)]
wrongly, the original connexion being with 12b.—(Hebrew characters)] (Nu. 2230† ) 'ever
since I was.' GSV 'from my youth' ((Hebrew characters)?).—16. For (Hebrew characters), [E] reads
(Hebrew characters).—19. (Hebrew characters)] 'but for all that' (cf. 2819).—20. (Hebrew characters)] G (Hebrew characters).—(Hebrew characters)] GVS
(Hebrew characters) (Niph.; see on 123). The most natural form would be Hithpa.
(Hebrew characters).—22. (Hebrew characters)] G (Greek characters), Aq. (Greek characters). For (Hebrew characters) instead of
(Hebrew characters), see G-K. § 130 g. On (Hebrew characters) in the sense of 'mountain-slope' (v.s.),
see Nu. 3411, Jos. 158 [Is. 1114?], etc.
