The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-25

came upon inc fhtner OF tnO WnOle sept, 70 WnOU
they naturally Inscribed the qualities observed
IN the descendants. On the whole Mr.. Heilprin
seems to accept Kuenens general conclusion.
but ns to tho specific processes by which tho
several legends about the patriarchs grew up he
nnds much sagaclty and probability in Bern
STEMS explanation. This is so striking that
we must try to outline tho main features OF the
theory. Bernstein considers that the myths
concerning Abraham, Isaac. and Jacob we're
evolved In connection with three localities each
OF which had lts own sanctuary and as the seat
OF a peculiar worship exercised leading infu-
ence upon the surrounding region These
three places we're Beersheba. Hebron. and Beth
III. towns OF the tribes Of Simeon. Judah. and
Ephraim. Each OF the three holy sites had its
legendary patriarch. revered as early M the
time OF the Judges. Isaac. the patriarch OF Beer
sheba. being apparently the oldest and the least
widely known. The legends Of the three wore
not originally in harmony; on the contrary.
two patriarchs. at oil evente. were distinct po-
litico- religious figures. each representing tho
political and religious ideas which prevailed In
his region and tribe. Jacob. or Israel, was the
patriarch OF Ephram. OF the later house OF
Joseph" and the holy place associated with
him was chosen as tho principal seat OF the
national worship OF the northern kingdom
On the other hand. tho ancestral hero OF
judah was Abraham. the patriarch OF Hebron.
and this legend became more fully developed
when David had extended the influence Of that
tribe and it's tribal myths over all Palestine. At
this time. apparently several features OF tho
life OF Isaac were transferred to his. the tribe
Of Simeon having been absorbed by Judah. or
having dwndled into insgnincance. Tho
whole story Of Abraham was expanded to en-
brace as type the scheme OF power and pecu-
liar nationality which David and his son strove
to found His migrations. his 1.-THE giving. his
establishment Of the rite Of circumcision. his
mythical relationship TO Ishmael INDIAN. and
TO the ancestor Of the Ammonites and Moabites.
are all calculated TO justify the expansive policy
OF the Dayidlc house.
What Abraham was TO Judah Israel or Jacob
was to Ephraim. and the tribes that sided with
itOn the secession under Jeroboam. The narra-
tive Of his life. according 10 the Bernstein hy
pothesls. was so adjusted az to give coloring
to the pretensions OF the foremost sanctuary.
the dynasty. the leading tribe. and the chief
cities Of the northern kingdom. The central
point of his legend was Beth FL. which was at all
times the main holy place Of the ten tribes;
while Shechem. whore Jacob reared an altar
with tho solemn name E-ohe. Israel. was
made by Jeroboam the seat of govern
ment Tho desire for friendly relations with
the noighborinR Eastern powers on both
sides OF the Euphrates which animated the
northern kingdom. finds expression in the
story OF the peace Of Giead. concluded between
Jacob and Lamar. the Aramean. Jacob. we are
told. was the brother OF Edom and We know
that an Edomite prince who. like Jeroboam.
had escaped to Egypt. rose against Solomon
before the Ephraimite plotted against
him. But the most important part Of
Bernstein's discussion refers to the scandaous
accounts invented by the chronicers and COM
pliers Of the northern kingdom about Judah.
which certainly wear the aspect Of distinct alu-
sions 10 the scandals In tho court history OF
David. There is no doubt that in the thirty
eighth chapter OF tho first book OF Moses tho
fourth son Of the patriarch is depicted in the
worst colors; all the sons OF Judah are de-
scrbed as bad. and the father only obtains issue
by adultery with his daughter-in-aw, from
whom King David Is made TO descend. Born
stein thinks the intended defamation is visible
enough. the moment we fix our view upon the
curious analogies in David's household. Thus
the Canaanitess Bath Shua whom Judah mar
ries. Ia none other. in his judgment than the
Hitttcss BathSheba whom David married in
adultery after numbering her husband Uriah.
| Judah's first son dies because God dislikes him.
exactly as tho first son Of Bath Sheba died.
| The Patriarch's second son is called Oman.
| who perishes through sexual sins. and who
| would seem 10 DO no other than David's son
Amnon. whose death likewise is caused by
criminal indulgence. The lamar Of Judah +
story lie identified with Davids daughter
| lamar. whom Amnon violated and as 10 Shelah.
who survives. 1t is pointed out that the inser-
ton OF a single letter in tho Hebrew name
transforms 1t into Solomon. We have
thus before us. in the opinion Of Bernstein.
with which our author substantially con-
ours. Jeroboamic production directed
against Rehoboam and OVERLOOKING with gall
and venom. 1t is significant that the libel finds
| place in the middle Of the story of Joseph.
whose object Is 10 glorify the Ephraimite.
| Other Joroboamic inventions are detected. It Is
thought. in the story OF the outrage committed
by Reuben which comedies with the infamy
perpetratod by Absalom when he took posses
sion of Dayids harem-and In the story Of the
butchery committed by Simeon and Levi al
Shechem. The aim Of both iabrications was ap-
parently to show by what odious deeds the
three elder sons OF Jacob forfeited the rights
which the tribes called after them probabl ,
claimed ON the score OF priority OF origin. On
thor side the composers OF legends in Judah
retorted by carlcaturing the career OF the pa
triarch OF BETHEL applying to him the name
Jacob. meaning hoel-holder. OF supplanter.'
while tho Ephraimites bestowed on him the
pompous name. Israel. victor over God or Gods
champion" la the Judaic myths Jacob cheats
his brother again and again. and even in his
mother ~ womb begins to supplant him. The
conflict OF tho legends seems TO have begun
early. and to have lasted throughout the period
OF struggle between tho Kingdoms OF Judah and
OF the ten tribes. When the rivalry subsidized
tho different myths gradually became common
property. and whom the northern kingdom wa'
destroyed. they were entwined by harnonist
into one family history descriptive Of thu
nations heroic age. much as tho HomeriC
poems. according TO well-known theory
were naiyey fused into one conseeutiy,
narrative. While Mr.. Heilprin does no
hold every feature OF this conception TO bl
unassailabe. he considers It extremely ingen
ious, and points out that Seinecke. in a wort
published Ave years after Bernsten's mono
graph. unhesitatinglY and fully Incorporates
the results OF the latter's criticism.
BY way of confirmation Mr.. Heilprln draw
attention to piece OF poetry. tho so called bless
ing Of Jacob. inserted in Genesis. where tn,
narrative describes the last days of the pntri
arch. Here we find Joseph whom. in the timei
OF the divided Hebrew kingdom. two importan
tribea Of the northern division reRarded MS IN ci