With the patriarchal history (xii. sqq.) begins an historical sketch of a peculiar character. The cir cumstantial details in it allow us to examine more closely the historical character of these accounts The numerous descriptions of the mode of life in those days furnish us with a very vivid picture. We meet everywhere a sublime simplicity quite worthy of patriarchal life, and never to be found again in later history. One cannot suppose that it would have been possible in a later period, estranged from ancient simplicity, to invent such a picture.
The authenticity of the patriarchal history could be attacked only by analogy, the true historical test of negative criticism ; but the patriarchal history has no analogy ; while a great historical fact, the Mosaical theocracy itself, might here be adduced in favour of the truth of Genesis. The theocracy stands without analogy in the history of the human race, and is, nevertheless, true above all historical doubt. But this theocracy cannot have entered into history without preparatory events. The facts which lcd to the introduction of the theocracy are contained in the accounts of Genesis. Moreover, this preparation of the theocracy could not consist in the ordinary providential guidance. The race of patriarchs advances to a marvellous destination ; the road also leading to this destination must be peculiar and extraordinary. The opponents of Genesis forget that the marvellous ewnts of patri archal history which offend them most, partake of that character of the whole, by which alone this history becomes commensurate and possible.
There are also many separate vestiges warranting the antiquity of these traditions, and proving that they were neither invented nor adorned ; for in stance, Jacob, the progenitor of the Israelites, is introduced not as the firstborn, which, if an unhis torical and merely external exaltation of that name had been the aim of the author, would have been more for this purpose.
Neither the blemishes in the history of Abra ham, nor the gross sins of the sons of Jacob, among whom even I,evi; the progenitor of the sacerdotal race, forms no exception, are concealed.
The same author, whose moral principles are so much blamed by the opponents of Genesis, on ac count of the description given of the life of Jacob, produces, in the history of Abraham, a picture of moral greatness which could have originated only in facts.
The faithfulness of the author manifests itself also especially in the description of the expedition of the kings from Upper to Western Asia ; in his statements concerning the person of Melchizedek (Gen. xiv.) ; in the circumstantial details given of the incidents occurring at the purchase of the here ditary burial-place (ch. xxiii.) ; in the genealogies of Arabian tribes (ch. xxv.) ; in the genealogy of Edom (ch. xxxvi.) ; and in many remarkable details which are interwoven with the general accounts. In the history of Joseph the patriarchal history comes into contact with Eg,ypt ; and here the accounts given by ancient classical writers, as well as the monuments of Egypt, frequently furnish some splendid confirmations. FOr instance, the account given (xlvii. 13-26) of the manner in which the Pharaohs became proprietors of all the lands, with the exception of those belonging to the priests, is confirmed by Herodotus (ii. io9), and by Dio dorus Siculus (i. 73). The manner of embalming described in Gen. I., entirely agrees with the description of Heroclotus, ii. 84, etc. For othet data of a similar kind, compare Hengstenberg (Die Bucher illosis told Atatten, p. 21, sq.) For the important commentaries and writ ings on Genesis, see the article PENTATEUCH.— H. A. C. H.