^{page 119 note [a]} Gen. xxxiii. 19.

^{page 119 note [b]} xiv. 14.

^{page 120 note [c]} Gen. xxxiii. 1.

^{page 120 note [d]} l. 9.

^{page 120 note [e]} Dr. Shaw observes that the camel requires but little provender in proportion to its bulk.

^{page 120 note [f]} We sometimes find mention of towns in the book of Genesis, with regard to which no particulars appear, but that the more solemn and public business was transacted in the gate of the city, Gen. xxiii. 18. and that the houses had doors which might be fastened, as also windows, Gen. xviii.---xxvi. 8. It is stated indeed that the sons of Ishmael had not only towns, but castles. Gen. xxv. 16. The Septuagint however ruus ; and Montanus's literal version from the Hebrew, “in suis oppidis & palatiis; or per villas suas & palatia sua.”

^{page 120 note [g]} . Gen. xxi. 19.

^{page 121 note [h]} See Gen. xxiv. and Exod. ii. 16.

^{page 121 note [i]} It may not be improper likewise for the same reason to state the few particulars which can be gleaned, with regard to their dress: and first with regard to that of their men:

Their arms and neck were naked, as appears by Rebecca's supplying Jacob with the skins of kids to cover those parts. Judah hath a signet, or rather ring () bracelets, and staff. Gen. xxxviii. 18. Jacob's household also wore ear-rings. Gen. xxxv. 4.

As to that of the women, Jewels of gold and jewels of silver and raiment are presented to Rebecca by Abraham's servant. Gen. xxiv. 7. but the only part of dress more peculiar to the women is the vail. This is twice mentioned as being used by Rebecca and Tamar; and is rendered by the same word in all versions in both these instances. Our word vail hath a confined sense; and velamentum are more general. It is impossible however that Rebecca's could have been the same with Tamar's, for a vail covering the face is stated to be peculiar to harlots. I therefore rather understand that Rebecca, upon seeing her destined husband, lights off her camel to put on a clean habit, and appear as smart as possible. As for raising a vail on approaching a man, it must be remembered the had travelled with Abraham's servant.

^{page 121 note [k]} Gen. xxi. 14.

^{page 122 note [l]} Gen. xxix. 3.

^{page 122 note [m]} xlix. 42.

^{page 122 note [n]} xxiv.

^{page 122 note [o]} xxxi. 33.

^{page 122 note [p]} xxxiii. 17.

^{page 122 note [q]} xviii. 1. If in a city before the gate, Gen. xix. 1.

^{page 122 note [r]} The first verse of the 18th chapter of Genesis, in the English version, mentions, that God appeared to Abraham in the plain of Mamre; but the Septuagint states it to have happened ; and it is clear that the Septuagint is right in this particular, because both the 4th and 8th verse of the same chapter refer to the Tree. I am informed also that the word used in the Hebrew confirms the Septuagint translation, at least in its being a grove of oaks. Shade was so necessary in the promised land, that Abraham plants a grove at Beersheba. Gen. xxi. 33.

^{page 123 note [s]} It is supposed that the patriarchal table did not produce many more varieties. As for birds and fish, it requires much ingenuity to catch them; and as for the latter, they could not be procured but in the neighbourhood of the Jordan, which I think is never described as containing any great plenty of fish: some indeed were to be found in their larger lakes, or as they are called seas. As for their venison, it seems to have consisted chiefly of wild goats, as Isaac is imposed upon otherwise by dressing a kid for venison; which deceit could hardly be practised upon a modern alderman. It should seem also, from Gen. xxxi. 38. that they only eat the male sheep, the females being left to produce. As for their liquors, I find no mention of any others, but wine, water, and milk.

^{page 123 note [t]} Gen. xviii. 8.

^{page 123 note [u]} xxiv. 25.

^{page 124 note [w]} Gen. xxxi. 39.

^{page 124 note [x]} Abraham commits the whole care of his household and affairs to his eldest servant, when his two sons, Esau and Isaac, are both forty years of age.

^{page 124 note [y]} Thus Rachel and Leah are purchased, and Shechem offers For Dinah, “ask me never so much dowry and gift and I will give according as you shall “say, but give me the damsel to wife.” Gen. xxxiv. 10.

^{page 124 note [z]} Gen. xxiv. 6.

^{page 124 note [a]} xxx. 1.

^{page 124 note [b]} xx. 18.

^{page 125 note [c]} When Esau therefore was married to Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, it is stated to be a grief of mind unto Isaac and Rebecca. Gen. xxvi. 35. And hence Abraham makes his servant swear “that he will go into his own “country, and to his own kindred, to procure a wife for Isaac.” Gen. xxiv. 4. As the patriarchs so frequently ratify their promises by an oath, it may not be improper to observe, that the most solemn form was to raise the hand, and swear by the name of God, Gen. xiv. 22. xxi. 23. Abraham's servant indeed puts his hand under his master's thigh when he swears; but this I should suppose to arise from the eyes of the patriarch being so dim that he could not distinguish whether his servant raised his hand according to the common form, it being stated in the preceding verse, that “Abraham was old, and well stricken in age.” Gen. xxiv. It should seem that Jacob's oath, by the fear of his father Isaac, was of a less solemn kind. Gen. xxxi. 53. And that of Joseph still less so when he says, by the life of Pharaoh, ye shall not go. Gen. xiii. 15. which was probably the common form in Egypt.

^{page 125 note [d]} Exod. iv. 26.

^{page 125 note [e]} Gen. xxxiv. 14–17.

^{page 126 note [f]} As in the instance of Rachel and Leah.

^{page 126 note [g]} He mentioned Oxfordshire particularly.

^{page 126 note [h]} When Bilhah (Rachel's handmaid) hath a son by Jacob, Rachel says, “God hath given me a son.” Gen. xxx. 3.

^{page 126 note [i]} Gen. xxi. 2.

^{page 126 note [j]} xxi. 10.

^{page 127 note [l]} Gen. xxxvii. 8.

^{page 127 note [m]} xxxii, 22.

^{page 127 note [n]} The sons of a patriarch by his concubines were by no means upon the same footing, for Abraham sends his children by Keturah to the Eastward, whilst Isaac and Ishmael (his son by a handmaid) continue with their father, and afterwards join in burying him. Gen. xxv. 9.

^{page 127 note [o]} “Behold thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken “is another man's wife.” Gen. xviii. 3.

^{page 128 note [p]} In support of what is added in the Septuagint, Jacob upon his death-bed reflects upon Reuben for this crime.

^{page 128 note [q]} Gen. xx. 2.

^{page 128 note [r]} xxvi. 2.

^{page 129 note [s]} By the code of Gentoo laws, printed in 1776 by the East India Company, the younger sister is not permitted to be married till the elder is disposed of.

^{page 129 note [t]} Gen. xxxviii. The reason for this seems to have been, that a too early marriage might occasion his death, “least he die also as his brethren did,” ver. 2.

^{page 130 note [u]} “And Onan knew that the seed should not be his.” Gen. xxxviii. 9. at least thus I understand this text.

^{page 130 note [w]} I thus express myself in compliance with the summary of contents prefixed to each chapter in our English version; it will appear however that the daughters of Lot did not conceive the act to be criminal, but, on the contrary, laudable, as they seem to have supposed that all the other inhabitants of the earth were destroyed.

^{page 130 note [x]} Gen. xix. 3.

^{page 131 note [y]} Gen. xvii. 30.

^{page 131 note [z]} xlii. 37.

^{page 131 note [a]} Rebeccah's mother and brother indeed hope the will be fruitful when she leaves them; but this is not the more solemn blessing of the dying patriarch; and indeed it seems to have been rather the good wishes of the brother, for the text runs, “thou art our sister.” Gen. xxiv. 60. The blessing also was not fulfilled in the common way, for Rebeccah was barren, and becomes at last pregnant by particular interposition.

^{page 131 note [b]} Gen. xxxi. 35.

^{page 131 note [c]} xxvii. 41.

^{page 132 note [d]} It seems to have been customary for the son to close the eyes of his deseased father; “and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.” Gen. xlvi. 4.

^{page 133 note [e]} Gen. xlix. 33.

^{page 134 note [f]} ——— “Nunc ore ligato

“Incubat amissæ.”

Statius v. 1.

^{page 134 note [g]} I have been informed that the same lamentations over a corpse are not unusual in some parts of North Wales, during the night which precedes the interment.

^{page 134 note [h]} Gen. xxiii. 2, 3. 8.

^{page 134 note [i]} Montanus's literal version from the Hebrew is “desuper facie (or a facie) “mortui sui;” which shews that Abraham fell upon the face of Sarah before the sons of Heth, as Joseph did upon the corpse of his father Jacob; and that these were therefore the common funeral solemnities.

^{page 135 note [k]} .

^{page 135 note [l]} The Cananites might have indeed destroyed them, whilst the descendants of the patriarchs were in Egypt.