22. and Joash, and Saraph, who, etc.] We find no other trace of these two as rulers of Moab. The Targum fancifully identified them with Mahlon and Chilion of Ruth i. 2, 4. For a conjecture as to the cause of their presence in Moab, see Macalister, Palestine Exploration Fund, Quarterly Statement, 1905, p. 340.
and Jashubi-lehem] render, with Vulgate, who returned to Bethlehem, a translation which requires only an easy emendation of the present Hebrew text.
²³These were the potters, and the inhabitants[¹] of Netaim and Gederah: there they dwelt with the king for his work.
[¹] Or, those that dwelt among plantations and hedges.
23. there they dwelt with the king for his work] In the days of the kingdom the families were clients of the king and did his work; compare 1 Kings vii. 46. The simplicity of this statement seems to have been a stumbling-block to the early translators who paraphrase; LXX., They were strong in his kingdom and dwelt there; Targum, They made their dwelling there with the Shekinah of the King of the World for the practice of the Law.
24–27.
The Genealogy of Simeon.
²⁴The sons of Simeon; Nemuel[¹], and Jamin, Jarib[²], Zerah[³], Shaul: ²⁵Shallum his son, Mibsam his son, Mishma his son. ²⁶And the sons of Mishma; Hammuel his son, Zaccur his son, Shimei his son. ²⁷And Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brethren had not many children, neither did all their family multiply, like to the children of Judah.
[¹] In Genesis xlvi. 10, Exodus vi. 15, Jemuel.
[²] In Genesis xlvi. 10, Jachin.
[³] Genesis xlvi. 10, Zohar.