JEWISH FISHING’ 
CHAPTER XXXVIII 
ROD NOT EMPLOYED IN SPITE OF CLOSE INTERCOURSE 
WITH EGYPT—REASONS SUGGESTED FOR ABSENCE 
THE absence of any mention of Angling in Israel, and in Assyria 
causes wonder and surprise, especially when we remember 
that the relations of both nations in trade and intercourse with 
Egypt, where Rod fishing did obtain, appear when at peace 
constant and close.? 
In the Assyrian chapter the vexed question of the earliest 
date assignable for the invasion or cultural permeation of 
Egypt by Sumerian or Semitic influences has been considered, 
and the conflicting views stated. 
A fair consensus of agreement holds that the Hyksos 
sprang from Semitic stock; but the dates suggested for their 
conquest of Egypt vary from 2540 down to 1845 B.c.3 
However this may be, the definite association with Egypt 
of that branch of the Semitic tribes destined in Jacob’s life- 
time (Gen. xlvii. 27) to be known as Israelites, begins with 
the advent of Abram into that country. 
1 Throughout my pages the words, Jews and Jewish, are generally used 
in the popular sense, and not as merely signifying members of the tribe of 
Judah. To my friend Dr. A. R.S. Kennedy, Professor of Hebrew at Edinburgh 
University, my thanks are due for advice and for reading the proof-sheets of 
my section on the Jews. 
2 In this chapter the word Assyrian generally stands for Sumerian, 
Babylonian, and Assyrian proper. 
3 Remains of the Hyksos kings are far-scattered ; ¢.g. an alabaster vase- 
lid of very fine work, bearing the name of Khian, was discovered in the palace 
of Cnossos in Crete, while a granite lion bearing the king’s cartouche on his 
breast, unearthed many years ago at Bagdad, is to be seen in the British 
Museum. J. H. Breasted, Histovy of Egypt, p. 218 (London, 1906). 
4 The verse is not conclusive that they were called Israelites during their 
397 2D2 
