Page:A critical and exegetical commentary on Genesis (1910).djvu/642

rather an instance of the Egyptian affinities of the narrative, that 110 years is at least three times spoken of as an ideal lifetime in Egyptian writings (Stern, Z. Aeg. Spr., 1873, 75 f.).—23. Joseph lived to see his great-grandchildren by both his sons,—another token of a life crowned with blessing (Ps. 128⁶, Pr. 13²² 17⁶ etc.). The expressions used of Ephraim's descendants are somewhat difficult (v.i.).—Mākîr] the most powerful clan of Manasseh, in the Song of Deborah (Ju. 5¹⁴) numbered among the tribes of Israel, and possibly therefore an older unit than Manasseh itself (see Meyer, INS, 507, 516 f.).—The expression born on Joseph's knees implies the adoption of Machir's sons by Joseph (see on 30³), though the action does not seem to have any tribal significance.—24, 25. Joseph predicts the Exodus (as did Jacob, 48²¹), and directs his bones to be carried to Canaan. For the fulfilment of the wish, see Ex. 13¹⁹, Jos. 24³².—his brethren are here the Israelites as a whole (v.²⁵).—26. The death of Joseph.—in a coffin] or mummy-case, the wooden inner shell, shaped like the mummy, which was placed in the stone sarcophagus (see Erman, LAE, 315 f.; Ball, Light from the East, 121). A mythological allusion to the 'coffin' of Osiris (Völter, 55) is not to be thought of.

 

"This 'coffin in Egypt,'" remarks Delitzsch, "is the coffin of all Israel's spiritual satisfaction in Egypt." Gu. shows sounder judgement and truer insight when he bids us admire the restful close of the narrative, and the forward glance to the eventful story of the Exodus.

(Greek characters).—23. (Hebrew characters)] [E] (Hebrew characters): so GST^OJ. (Hebrew characters) means 'great-grandchildren' (Ex. 34⁷); hence (Hebrew characters) ought to mean 'great-great-grandchildren' (not, of course, of Ephraim, but of Joseph in Ephraim's line). But there being no reason why the descent should be carried further in the line of Ephraim than in that of Manasseh, we must understand 'great-grandchildren,' whether we read with [E], or take (Hebrew characters) as appositional gen. (see Di.).—(Hebrew characters)] [E] (Hebrew characters), 'in the days of,'—'a bad correction' (Ba.), supported by no other Vn.—24. (Hebrew characters)] G + (Greek characters) (Greek characters).—25 end. Add with Heb. MSS [E]GSV (Hebrew characters), 'with you.'—26. (Hebrew characters)] [E] (Hebrew characters). See on 24³³.