It may be noticed in this as in several other instances, such as those of Rebekah and Rachel, the Rabbis have invented stories to explain the circumstance of the damsels watering the flock, which they supposed derogated from their dignity. This indicates the late date of these traditions, when the old pastoral simplicity was lost. Footnote 484: Pirke R. Eliezer, c. 40; Yaschar, p. 1274. Footnote 485: The Targum of Palestine, “ten years;” i. p. 448. Footnote 486: Beer, pp. 42-62; Pirke R. Eliezer. The Targum of Palestine says the rod was in the chamber of Jethro, not in the garden; i. p. 448. Yaschar, pp. 1277, 1278. Footnote 487: Rabbot., fol. 120 a. It is possible that our Blessed Lord’s parable of the Good Shepherd may contain an allusion to this popular and beautiful tradition. Footnote 488: Gen. iii. 4. It was the angel Zagnugael who appeared and spoke to him from the bush. (Targum of Palestine, i. p. 449; Abulfeda, p. 31.) Footnote 489: Exod. iv. 14. Footnote 490: Tabari, i. c. lxxiii. p. 24. Footnote 491: Midrash, fol. 54. Footnote 492: Targum of Palestine, i. p. 460. Footnote 493: Yaschar, p. 1280. Footnote 494: Tabari, p. 326. Footnote 495: Some say that Pharaoh entreated Moses to spare him for the sake of Asia (Bithia), and that at the mention of his name Moses was softened. (Weil, p. 159.) Footnote 496: In Arabic, Risam and Rijam; and Shabun and Gabun, in Persian. Footnote 497: Midrash, fol. 56. The Targums say that the enchanters turned the water of Goshen into blood, so that there was no water to the Israelites as to the Egyptians; i. p. 462. Footnote 498: Midrash, fol. 55. Footnote 499: Targum of Palestine, i. p. 463. Footnote 500: Venomous insects (Kalma), gnats (Kinnim). See Wisdom xvi. 1, 3. Footnote 501: Targums, i. 464. Footnote 502: Targums, i. p. 467. Footnote 503: Ibid., i. p. 471. Footnote 504: Yaschar, p. 1283. Footnote 505: Tabari, i. p. 338. Footnote 506: Weil, p. 165. Footnote 507: Talmud, Sota. fol. 13. Footnote 508: Targum of Palestine, i. p. 478. Footnote 509: Targums, i. p. 475. Footnote 510: Ibid., i. p. 485. Footnote 511: Targum of Jerusalem, i. p. 488; Yaschar, p. 1287. Footnote 512: Exod. xiv. 13, 14. Footnote 513: Koran, Sura xxvi. v. 63. Footnote 514: Weil, p. 168; see also Midrash, fol. 176. Footnote 515: Exod. xv. 21. Footnote 516: Tabari, p. 350. Footnote 517: Ibid. i. p. 355. Footnote 518: Both the Rabbis and the Mussulmans lay the blame, not on Aaron, but on another. The Rabbis say it was Micah who made the calf; the Mussulmans call him Samiri. (Weil, p. 170.) Footnote 519: Targum of Palestine, i. p. 552. Footnote 520: Tabari, i. p. 362. Footnote 521: Targum of Palestine, ii. p. 685. Footnote 522: Pirke R. Eliezer, c. 45. Footnote 523: Weil, pp. 172, 173. Footnote 524: Koran, Sura vii. v. 139. Footnote 525: