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[258]
For that country having but little water, the shepherds used to seize
on the wells before others came, lest their flocks should want water, and
lest it should be spent by others before they came. There were now come,
therefore, to this well seven sisters that were virgins, the daughters
of Raguel, a priest, and one thought worthy by the people of the country
of great honor. These virgins, who took care of their father's flocks,
which sort of work it was customary and very familiar for women to do in
the country of the Troglodytes, they came first of all, and drew water
out of the well in a quantity sufficient for their flocks, into troughs,
which were made for the reception of that water; but when the shepherds
came upon the maidens, and drove them away, that they might have the command
of the water themselves, Moses, thinking it would be a terrible reproach
upon him if he overlooked the young women under unjust oppression, and
should suffer the violence of the men to prevail over the right of the
maidens, he drove away the men, who had a mind to more than their share,
and afforded a proper assistance to the women; who, when they had received
such a benefit from him, came to their father, and told him how they had
been affronted by the shepherds, and assisted by a stranger, and entreated
that he would not let this generous action be done in vain, nor go without
a reward. Now the father took it well from his daughters that they were
so desirous to reward their benefactor; and bid them bring Moses into his
presence, that he might be rewarded as he deserved. And when Moses came,
he told him what testimony his daughters bare to him, that he had assisted
them; and that, as he admired him for his virtue, he said that Moses had
bestowed such his assistance on persons not insensible of benefits, but
where they were both able and willing to return the kindness, and even
to exceed the measure of his generosity. So he made him his son, and gave
him one of his daughters in marriage; and appointed him to be the guardian
and superintendent over his cattle; for of old, all the wealth of the barbarians
was in those cattle.
Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by. William Whiston, A.M. Auburn and Buffalo. John E. Beardsley. 1895.
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(3):
- LSJ, αὐτάρκ-ης
- LSJ, δύσ-υδρος
- LSJ, προεξ-ανα_λίσκω
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