With respect to the word [Hebrew: PETACH], the literal interpretation of which is a door, entrance, or gate, Archbishop Magee renders the passage thus: "A sin-offering lieth before or _at_ the door," the word [Hebrew: RBEITS] implying to crouch or lie down as an animal; thereby alluding to the sacrifice which was { 372} appointed for the remission of sins, and was typical of the great sacrifice of the Lamb of God, who was to be slain for the sin of the world. The whole verse would thus stand, according to Archbishop Magee's interpretation:
"If thou doest well, shalt thou not have the excellency or pre-eminence? and if thou doest _not_ well, a sin-offering lieth before the door [_i.e._ is prepared, or at hand, for thee]; and unto thee shall be his subjection, and thou shalt rule over him [_i.e._ over Abel]."
Luther's translation is at variance with this:
"Wenn du fromm bist, so bist du angenehm, bist du aber nicht fromm, so ruhet die Sünde vor der Thür. Aber lass du ihr nicht ihren Willen, sondern herrsche über sie."
In the margin of Luther's Bible is a reference in this verse to Rom. vi. 12., plainly showing that he considered it as an admonition to Cain to struggle against _sin_, lest it should gain the dominion over him.
"I think that neither Davison nor the other commentators have completely examined Gen. iv. 7. in all its expressions and bearings. I am surprised at Magee's omitting the argument from St. Paul's declaration, that by his [Greek: pleiônthusia] Abel obtained witness that he was righteous.... I must repeat my wish to have the word [Hebrew: PETACH] well examined."
P.S.--Dr. Glocester Ridley (quoted by Bishop Van Mildert, in the notes to his _Boyle Lectures_) takes the view afterwards adopted by Archbishop Magee, as to the meaning of the passage. (See _The Christian Passover_, in four sermons on the Lord's Supper, by Glocester Ridley, 1742, p. 14.)
Can any of your readers and correspondents, versed in "legendary lore," reconcile the two different tales of which "Roland the Brave" is the hero? The one related in Mrs. Hemans's beautiful ballad describes him as reported dead, and that his fair one too rashly took the veil in "Nonnenwerder's cloister pale," just before his return. The story proceeds to tell how in grief her lover sought the battle-field, and finally fell, with other brave companions, at Roncesvalles.