Notes, Critical and Explanatory, on the Holy Scriptures

A proverbial expression for none at all. Abraham and Jacob purchased some land, but in small quantity. It was not regarded as a portion of the inheritance promised by God.

This round number is thought to be used for four hundred and thirty. Gal. iii. 17; Josephus, Ant., ii. 15, 2. It includes the whole period, from the pro- mise made to Abrahatn to the end of the Egyptian bondage. The Israelites abode in Egypt only about two hundred and forty-three years ; or two hundred and fifteen, according to some chronologists. Four hundred and five years elapsed from the birth of Isaac to the departure from Egypt.

There is a hendiadis. He gave him favour with Pharaoh, through his wisdom in interpreting dreams and giving counsel. Gen. xli. 37.

In Gen. xlvi. 27, the Hebrew text has "seventy," but the Septuagint, which St. Stephen seems to have followed, has seventy-five. The five added are thought to be sons of Manasses and Ephraim, who, though born in Egypt, are included in the number of the first settlers, since they belong to the original stock. See Numbers xxvi. A similar mode of calculating progeny is adopted in Gen. v. 15. Philo, the Jew, mentions both numbers.

The Greek has only the definite article, which ordinarily implies that " son" is understood. However, Hemor was father of Sichem. Jacob bought of the children of Hemor, that part of the field in which he pitched his tents, for a hun- dred lambs, or, as some understand it, a hundred pieces of money. Gen. xxiii.

Three of the chief manuscripts, which Lachmann follows, support the Vulgate reading, in which the case is different from the common text.

In the sciences which they cultivated, namely, astronomy, physics, medicine, mathematics, &c., the Egyptians enjoyed the highest reputation for learning and wisdom.

The removal of the sandals was a token of respect, the person treading more softly on the ground, and with clean feet, the dust being cast away with the san- dals. Slaves were barefooted ; whence the appearing before God in this way was a virtual acknowledgment of subjection and dependence.

The calf was made probably in imitation of Apis, the chief Egyptian idol, which was in the form of a calf.

The purchase made by Abraham was from the sons of Heth. It was a double cave in the direction of Mambre, that is, Hebron. Gen. xxiii. 16. Some conjecture that his name has been inserted here by mistake, lAB having been put as an abbreviation for Jacob, and the first letter having been effaced by some accident ; others think that he made a purchase, since he built an altar at Sichem. See Gen. xxiii. 20.