X.
Of the Patriarch Jacob.
1. The shepherd’s tent belonging to
Jacob, which was preserved at Edessa to the time of Antonine Emperor of
the Romans, was destroyed by a thunderbolt.
2. Jacob, being displeased at what had been
done by Symeon and Levi at Shecem against the people of the country, on
account of the violation of their sister, buried at Shecem the gods
which he had with him near a rock under the wonderful
terebinth, which up to this
day is reverenced by the neighbouring people in honour of the
patriarchs, and removed thence to Bethel. By the trunk of this
terebinth there was an altar on which the inhabitants of the country
offered ectenæ
in their general assemblies; and though it seemed to be burned, it was
not consumed. Near it is the tomb of Abraham and Isaac. And
some say that the staff of one of the angels who were entertained by
Abraham was planted there.