Yet other points might be adduced of coincidence between the sacred and the profane records of Egypt as the former appear in Moses. The above may be taken as specimens. Most amply do they testify that the author of Genesis was entirely familiar with Egyptian life and manners. The sharpest and most unfriendly criticism has hitherto detected no point of discrepancy between these respective records――no point in which it can be made to appear that Moses wrote without well understanding the Egyptian life of which he speaks.――――The corresponding coincidences in Exodus will be suggested in their place. * * * * * Some special passages occurring in these latter chapters of Genesis should receive attention. _Jacob going down into Sheol to his son Joseph._ In Gen. 37: 35 Jacob, supposing Joseph to be dead, says――“I will go down into the grave (Sheol) to my son mourning.” The reader of the Hebrew text of Genesis has not met with this word before, and may reasonably expect to see its meaning discussed here. In the outset it should be observed that these words can not possibly mean――My dead body shall go down into the grave proper, the sepulcher――there to lie by the side of Joseph’s dead body. He could not have meant this because the place of Joseph’s supposed dead body was entirely unknown to him. He had seen his bloody coat and inferred that Joseph was no doubt torn in pieces; _where_, he knew not; and whether devoured by flesh-eating animals he could not know. We must therefore reject this construction of his words.――――Plainly the Joseph he thought of was the undying soul. He expected at his own death to meet Joseph in that state or place which the Hebrews indicated by the word “Sheol.” What is the primary significance of this word? What were the views of the ancient Hebrews in regard to its location and the state of its occupants? The noun “Sheol” is made from the verb Shaal[25] having the sense, to ask, to demand; and conceives of the place as evermore demanding, insatiable; that which is never full; never has enough. The current Hebrew conceptions of the word may be seen in Prov. 30: 15, 16, and Isa. 5: 14, and Hab. 2: 5. “There are three things that are never satisfied; yea four say not, It is enough: the grave” [Sheol], etc.――――“Therefore hell [Sheol] hath enlarged herself and opened her mouth without measure; and their glory, and their multitude and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth shall descend into it.” “Who enlargeth his desire as hell” [Sheol] “and is as Death, and can not be satisfied,” etc.