My wrong i.e. may the wrong done to me be visited on thee! Sarai's passionate and unjust complaint is the utterance of jealousy. Abram is not to blame for the step which she herself had recommended in accordance with the custom of the age. The possibility, that in these cases the position of the mistress might be compromised by the insolence of the handmaid, formed the subject of special provision in the Code of Hammurabi. "Branding was the punishment inflicted upon the owner's handmaid who arrogantly set herself on an equality with her mistress" (§ 146: see S. A. Cook, p. 160).

LXX ἀδικοῦμαι ἐκ σοῦ, Lat. inique agis contra me.

judge between me and thee Cf. Genesis 31:53; 1 Samuel 24:12. The latter passage adds "and the Lord avenge me of thee." The "judgement" of the Lord may be the source of punishment: see note on Genesis 15:14.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising