GENESIS.

15 And she said unto her, A. M. cir. 2246 w Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee

11 And Leah said, A troop cometh and she to-night for thy son's mandrakes. called his name Gad.

16 And Jacob came out of the field in the maid evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely

Verse 16. I have hired thee] We may remark Verse 13. And Leah said, Happy am I] "Wamong the Jewish women an intense desire of having beoshri, in my happiness, therefore she called his name children; and it seems to have been produced, not from washer, that is, blessedness or happiness.

Verse 14. Reuben-found mandrakes] dudaim. What these were is utterly unknown, and learned men have wasted much time and pains in endeavouring to guess out a probable meaning. Some Verse 18. God hath given me my hire] “ sechari. translate the word lilies, others jessamine, others citrons, And she called his name Issachar, . This word others mushrooms, others figs, and some think the word is compounded of v yesh, is, and 5 sachar, WAGES, means flowers, or fine flowers in general. Hasselquist, from v sachar, to content, satisfy, saturate; hence the intimate friend and pupil of Linné, who travelled a satisfaction or compensation for work done, &c.

Verse 30. For it was little which thou hadst before nifies to be warm or hot.

speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.

33 So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not 36 And he set three days' journey betwixt speckled and spotted among the goats, and himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest brown among the sheep, that shall be counted of Laban's flocks. stolen with me.

37 And Jacob took him rods of green pop

34 And Laban said, Behold, I would it lar, and of the hazel and chestnut tree; and might be according to thy word. pilled white streaks in them, and made the

35 And he removed that day the he-goats white appear which was in the rods. — Heb. to-morrow; Exod. xiii. 14.—— Chap. xxxi. 9. See chap. xxxi. 9–12.

Chap. xxxi. 8. Psa. xxxvii. 6.– Verse 35. The he-goats that were ring-streaked] non hatteyashim haakuddim, the he-goats that had rings of black or other coloured hair around their feet or legs.

It is extremely difficult to find out, from the 32d and 35th verses, in what the bargain of Jacob with his father-in-law properly consisted. It appears from verse 32, that Jacob was to have for his wages all the speckled, spotted, and brown among the sheep and the goats; and of course that all those which were not party-coloured should be considered as the property of Laban. But in verse 35 it appears that Laban separated all the party-coloured cattle, and delivered them into the hands of his own sons; which seems as if he had taken these for his own property, and left the others to Jacob. It has been conjectured that Laban, for the greater security, when he had separated the party-coloured, which by the agreement belonged to Jacob, see verse 32, put them under the care of his own sons, while Jacob fed the flock of Laban, verse 36, three days' journey being between the two flocks. If therefore the flocks under the care of Laban's sons brought forth young that were all of one colour, these were put to the flocks of Laban under the care of Jacob; and if any of the flocks under Jacob's care brought forth party-coloured young, they were put to the flocks belonging to Jacob under the care of Laban's sons. This conjecture is not satisfactory, and the true meaning appears to be this: Jacob had agreed to take all the party-coloured for his wages. As he was now only beginning to act upon this agreement, consequently none of the cattle as yet belonged to him; therefore Laban separated from the flock, verse 35, all such cattle as Jacob might afterwards claim in consequence of his bargain, (for as yet he had no right;) therefore Jacob commenced his service to Laban with a flock that did not contain a single animal of the description of those to which he might be entitled; and the others were sent away under the care of Laban's sons, three days' journey from those of which Jacob had the care. The bargain, therefore, seemed to be wholly in favour of Laban; and to turn it to his own advantage, Jacob made use of the stratagems afterwards mentioned. This mode of interpretation removes all the apparent contradiction between the 32d and 35th verses, with which commentators in general have been grievously

perplexed. From the whole account we learn that Laban acted with great prudence and caution, and Jacob with great judgment. Jacob had already served fourteen years; and had got no patrimony whatever, though he had now a family of twelve children, eleven sons and one daughter, besides his two wives, and their two maids, and several servants. See ver. 43. It was high time that he should get some property for these; and as his father-in-law was excessively parsimonious, and would scarcely allow him to live, he was in some sort obliged to make use of stratagem to get an equivalent for his services. But did he not push this so far as to ruin his father-in-law's flocks, leaving him nothing but the refuse? See ver. 42.

Verse 37. Rods of green poplar] nh njah libnek lach. The libneh is generally understood to mean the white poplar; and the word lach, which is here joined to it, does not so much imply greenness of colour as being fresh, in opposition to witheredness. Had they not been fresh—just cut off, he could not have pilled the bark from them.

And of the hazel] luz, the nut or filbert tree, translated by others the almond tree; which of the two is here intended is not known.

And chestnut tree] armon, the plane tree, from yaram, he was naked. The plane tree is properly called by this name, because of the outer bark naturally peeling off, and leaving the tree bare in various places, having smooth places where it has fallen off. A portion of this bark the plane tree loses every year. The Septuagint translate it in the same way, haravos' and its name is supposed to be derived from haruç, broad, on account of its broad spreading branches, for which the plane tree is remarkable. So we find the Grecian army in Homer, Il. ii., ver. 307, sacrificing kahŋ vо Tharavior, under a beautiful plane tree.

VIRGIL, Geor. iv. 146, mentions,

-ministrantem platanum potantibus umbras. The plane tree yielding the convivial shade. And PETRONIUS ARBITER in Satyr. :

Nobilis astivas platanus diffuderat umbras. "The noble plane had spread its summer shade." See more in Parkhurst. Such a tree would be peculiarly acceptable in hot countries, because of its shade.

39 And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ring-streaked, speckled, and spotted.

40 And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstreaked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by them

w Jer. xxvii. 5.- - Ver. 30.

Pilled white streaks in them] Probably cutting the bark through in a spiral line, and taking it off in a certain breadth all round the rods, so that the rods would appear party-coloured, the white of the wood showing itself where the bark was stripped off.

Jacob gets all the best cattle.

selves, and put them not unto A. M.2259. Laban's cattle.

B. C. 1745

41 And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods. 42 But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.

x

43 And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maid-servants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.

y Chap. xiii. 2; xxiv. 35; xxvi. 13, 14.

birth, as he renders the word mekushsharoth by πрwToyovo, cattle of the first or earliest birth. Now this does not apply merely to two births from the same female in one year, which actually did take place according to the rabbins, the first in Nisan, about our March, and the second in Tisri, about our September ; but it more particularly refers to early and late lambs, &c., in the same year; as those that are born just at the termination of winter, and in the very commencement of spring, are every way more valuable than those which were born later in the same spring. Jacob therefore took good heed not to try his experiments with those late produced cattle, because he knew these would produce a degenerate breed, but with the early cattle, which were strong and vigorous, by which his

Verse 38. And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks] It has long been an opinion that whatever makes a strong impression on the mind of a | female in the time of conception and gestation, will have a corresponding influence on the mind or body of the fetus. This opinion is not yet rationally accounted for. It is not necessary to look for a miracle here; for though the fact has not been accounted for, it is nevertheless sufficiently plain that the effect does not exceed the powers of nature; and I have no doubt that the same modes of trial used by Jacob would pro-breed must be improved. Hence the whole flock of duce the same results in similar cases. The finger of God works in nature myriads of ways unknown to us; we see effects without end, of which no rational cause can be assigned: it has pleased God to work thus and thus, and this is all that we know; and God mercifully hides the operations of his power from man in a variety of cases, that he may hide pride from him. Even with the little we know, how apt are we to be puffed up! We must adore God in a reverential silence on such subjects as these, confess our ignorance, and acknowledge that nature is the instrument by which he chooses to work, and that he performs all things according to the counsel of his own will, which is always infinitely wise and infinitely good.

Verse 40. Jacob did separate the lambs, &c.] When Jacob undertook the care of Laban's flock, according to the agreement already mentioned, there were no party-coloured sheep or goats among them, therefore the ring-streaked, &c., mentioned in this verse, must have been born since the agreement was made; and Jacob makes use of them precisely as he used the pilled rods, that, having these before their eyes during conception, the impression might be made upon their imagination which would lead to the results already mentioned.

Verse 41. Whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive] The word op mekushsharoth, which we translate stronger, is understood by several of the ancient interpreters as signifying the early, first-born, or early spring cattle; and hence it is opposed to D'Duy atuphim, which we translate feeble, and which Symmachus properly renders devrepoyovo, cattle of the second

Laban must be necessarily injured, while Jacob's flock was preserved in a state of increasing perfection. All this proves a consummate knowledge in Jacob of his pastoral office. If extensive breeders in this country were to attend to the same plan, our breed would be improved in a most eminent degree. 'What a fund of instruction upon almost every subject is to be found in the sacred writings!

Verse 43. And the man increased exceedingly] No wonder, when he used such means as the above. And had maid-servants, and men-servants—he was obliged to increase these as his cattle multiplied. And camels and asses, to transport his tents, baggage, and family, from place to place, being obliged often to remove for the benefit of pasturage.

We have already seen many difficulties in this chapter, and strange incidents, for which we are not able to account. 1. The vicarious bearing of children; 2. The nature and properties of the mandrakes; 3. The bargain of Jacob and Laban; and 4. The business of the party-coloured flocks produced by means of the females looking at the variegated rods. These, especially the three last, may be ranked among the most difficult things in this book. Without encumbering the page with quotations and opinions, I have given the best sense I could; and think it much better and safer to confess ignorance, than, under the semblance of wisdom and learning, to multiply conjectures. Jacob certainly manifested much address in the whole of his conduct with Laban, but though nothing can excuse

Jacob is envied by

GENESIS.

Laban and his sons.

overreaching or insincerity, yet no doubt Jacob sup- | means by the goodness of the end at which she aimed; posed himself justified in taking these advantages of a which in social, civil, and religious life, is the most man who had greatly injured and defrauded him. Had dangerous principle on which a person can possibly Jacob got Rachel at first, for whom he had honestly and faithfully served seven years, there is no evidence whatever that he would have taken a second wife. Laban, by having imposed his eldest daughter upon him, and by obliging him to serve seven years for her who never was an object of his affection, acted a part wholly foreign to every dictate of justice and honesty; (for though it was a custom in that country not to give the younger daughter in marriage before the elder, yet, as he did not mention this to Jacob, it cannot plead in his excuse ;) therefore, speaking after the manner of men, he had reason to expect that Jacob should repay him in his own coin, and right himself by whatever means came into his power; and many think that he did not transgress the bounds of justice, even in the business of the party-coloured cattle.

The talent possessed by Jacob was a most dangerous one he was what may be truly called a scheming man; his wits were still at work, and as he devised so he executed, being as fruitful in expedients as he was in plans. This was the principal and the most prominent characteristic of his life; and whatever was excessive here was owing to his mother's tuition; she was evidently a woman who paid little respect to what is called moral principle, and sanctified all kinds of

act. In this art she appears to have instructed her son; and, unfortunately for himself, he was in some instances but too apt a proficient. Early habits are not easily rooted out, especially those of a bad kind. Next to the influence and grace of the Spirit of God is a good and religious education. Parents should teach their children to despise and abhor low cunning, to fear a lie, and tremble at an oath; and in order to be sucesssful, they should illustrate their precepts by their own regular and conscientious example. How far God approved of the whole of Jacob's conduct I shall not inquire; it is certain that he attributes his success to Divine interposition, and God himself censures Laban's conduct towards him; see chap. xxxi. 7-12. But still he appears to have proceeded farther than this interposition authorized him to go, especially in the means he used to improve his own breed, which necessarily led to the deterioration of Laban's cattle; for, after the transactions referred to above, these cattle could be of but little worth. The whole account, with all its lights and shades, I consider as another proof of the impartiality of the Divine historian, and a strong evidence of the authenticity of the Pentateuch. Neither the spirit of deceit, nor the partiality of friendship, could ever pen such an account.

CHAPTER XXXI.

Laban and his sons envy Jacob, 1, 2; on which he is commanded by the Lord to return to his own country, 3. Having called his wives together, he lays before them a detailed statement of his situation in reference to their father, 4-5; the services he had rendered him, 6; the various attempts made by Laban to defraud him of his hire, 7; how, by God's providence, his evil designs had been counteracted, 8–12; and then informs them that he is now called to return to his own country, 13. To the proposal of an immediate departure, Leah and Rachel agree; and strengthen the propriety of the measure by additional reasons, 14-16; on which Jacob collects all his family, his flocks and his goods, and prepares for his departure, 17, 18. Laban having gone to shear his sheep, Rachel secretes his images, 19. Jacob and his family, unknown to Laban, take their departure, 20, 21. On the third day Laban is informed of their flight, 22; and pursues them to Mount Gilead, 23. God appears to Laban in a dream, and warns him not to molest Jacob, 24. He comes up with Jacob at Mount Gilead, 25; reproaches him with his clandestine departure, 26-29; and charges him with having stolen his gods, 30. Jacob vindicates himself, and protests his innoin the matter of the theft, 31, 32. Laban makes a general search for his images in Jacob's, Leah's, Bilhah's, and Zilpah's tents; and not finding them, proceeds to examine Rachel's, 33. Rachel, having hidden them among the camel's furniture, sat upon them, 34; and making a delicate excuse for not rising up, Laban desists from farther search, 35. Jacob, ignorant of Rachel's theft, reproaches Laban for his suspicions, 36, 37; enumerates his long and faithful services, his fatigues, and Laban's injustice, 38-41; and shows that it was owing to God's goodness alone that he had any property, 42. Laban is moderated, and proposes a covenant, 43, 44. Jacob sets up a stone, and the rest bring stones and make a heap, which Laban calls Jegar-Sahadutha, and Jacob Galeed, 45–47. They make a covenant, and confirm it by an oath, 48-53. Jacob offers a sacrifice; they eat together; and Laban and his companions, having lodged in the mount all night, take a friendly leave of Jacob and his family next morning, and depart, 54, 55.

cence

B. C. 1739.

B. C. 1739.

A. M. 2265. AND he heard the words of of that which was our father's hath A. M. 2265. Laban's sons, saying, Jacob he gotten all this glory. all that was our father's; and

hath taken

away

a Psa. xlix. 16.

NOTES ON CHAP. XXXI.
Verse 1. And he heard the words of Laban's sons]
The multiplication of Jacob's cattle, and the decrease

2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of b Chap. iv. 5.

and degeneracy of those of Laban, were sufficient to rouse the jealousy of Laban's sons. This, with Laban's unfair treatment, and the direction he re