Toledoth of Jacob
Gen.
37:2-50:26
CHIASTIC STRUCTURE OF THE TOLEDOTH OF JACOB
a Beginning of Joseph’s Story (37:2-37:36)
1 Joseph and His Brothers (37:2-37:11)
2 Joseph and His Brothers (37:12-37:36)
b Firstborn and Enslavement (38:1-39:23)
1 Judah and Tamar (38:1-38:30)
2 Joseph and the Wife of Potiphar (39:1-39:23)
c Pharaoh’s Court and Revelation (40:1-41:57)
1 Joseph Interprets the Dreams of the Cup-bearer and the Baker (40:1-40:23)
2 Joseph Interprets the Dreams of Pharaoh (41:1-41:57)
d CENTRAL THEME: Brothers Come to Egypt for Food (42:1-44:3)
c’ Revelation and Pharaoh’s Court (44:4-47:12)
1 Joseph Has Some of His Brothers Brought to Him (44:4-45:15)
2 Joseph Has His Family Brought to Him (45:16-47:12)
b’ Enslavement and Firstborn (47:13-49:32)
1 Prospering in Egypt: Joseph (47:13-47:26)
2 Prospering in Egypt: Jacob’s sons (47:27-49:32)
a’ End of Joseph’s Story (49:53-50:26)
1 Death of Jacob (49:33-50:14)
2 Death of Joseph (50:15-50:26)
TIMELINE OF JOSEPH
THE TOLEDOTH OF JACOB
A - Generations of Jacob (37:2–50:26)
a Beginning of Joseph's Story: 1) Joseph and His Brothers (37:2-37:11)
(2-11) These are the toledoth of Jacob.
Joseph is 17 years old, and is feeding the flock with the sons of Bilhah and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, but Joseph brings an account of their evil to their father. Israel loves Joseph more than any of his sons, and Israel makes him a long coat. Joseph’s dreams add more hatred from his brothers. Joseph dreams about binding bundles in the field, and how his bundle arises, while his brothers’ bundles bow to his bundle. His brothers say do you reign and rule over us, and they hate him more. Joseph dreams again and recounts to his brothers that the sun and moon and eleven stars are bowing themselves to me. When he recounts the dream to his father and brothers, his father questions him. His brothers are zealous against him, and his father watches the matter.
Not only was Joseph the son of Rachel, but Joseph was the son of Israel in his older years. When Joseph was 17 years old in 1900 BC, Jacob was 108 years old. The the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah enjoyed doing evil, and resist Joseph the most. Joseph received a long colorful coat from his father. The crux of the passage was about the prophetic dreams he received, but he doesn’t have the wisdom to refrain from telling his brothers about them. He’s only 17 years old.
a Beginning of Joseph's Story: 2) Joseph and His Brothers (37:12-37:36)
(12-17) Joseph’s brothers are feeding their father’s flock in Shechem. Israel sends Joseph to see about the welfare of his brothers and the flock, and to bring back word. Israel sends Joseph from the valley of Hebron to Shechem. Seeing Joseph wandering in the field, a man asks what does he seek. Joseph responds that he is seeking his brothers who are feeding flock. The man tells Joseph that he has overheard them speaking about going to Dothan. Joseph finds his brothers in Dothan.
Jacob was worried about the safety of his sons, since years earlier Simeon and Levi had annihilated the men of Shechem. Dothan is 12 miles north of Shechem.
(18-27) When Joseph’s brothers see him from afar, they conspire about putting the man of dreams to death by casting him into one of the pits, and claiming that an evil beast has devoured him. Reuben hears them, and says for them to shed no blood, but to cast him into a wilderness pit, so that Reuben could later deliver Joseph from their hand, and bring him back to his father.
When Joseph comes to his brothers, they strip Joseph of his long coat, and cast him into the empty pit.
When the brothers sit down to eat bread, they see a company of Ishmaeli coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, and going down to Egypt. Judah says to his brothers, what gain is there in slaying our brother and concealing his blood. Come let us sell him to the Ishmaeli, for he is our flesh and blood.
More than likely, the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, were the instigators. While Reuben intended to deliver Joseph, Judah would rather see him sold than killed. Gilead was across the Jordan River, so the Ishmali were traveling westward, and then south.
(28-30) Meanwhile, the Midiani merchantmen pass by and the brothers draw Joseph out of the pit, and sell him to the Ishmaeli for 20 silver pieces of silver. They will bring Joseph to Egypt. Returning to the pit, Reuben finds that Joseph is not in the pit, and he tears his garments, saying that the lad is gone, and where am I going?
While Midian was a descendant of Abraham through Keturah, Ishmael was a descendant of Abraham through Ishmael. For some reason, the Midiani and the Ishmaeli seem to be interchangeable.
(31-36) Taking the coat of Joseph, the brothers slaughter a kid of the goats, and dip the coat in the blood. They bring the long coat unto their father, and ask whether this is your son’s coat or not? Their father sees that the coat belongs to Joseph, and figures that an evil beast has devoured him, tearing him apart! Tearing his clothing, Jacob puts sackcloth on his loins and mourns for his son many days. While his sons and daughters rise to comfort him, Jacob refuses to comfort himself, for he prefers to go down mourning for his son in Sheol. Meanwhile, The Midiani sell Joseph in Egypt, to Potiphar, an eunuch of Pharaoh, captain of the executioners.
Just as Jacob had deceived Isaac by two kid goats to obtain Esau’s blessing, now his own sons deceive him by dipping Joseph’s long coat in the blood of a kid of a goat to feign his death.
b Firstborn and Enslavement: 1) Judah and Tamar (38:1-38:30)
(1-5) Leaving his brothers, Judah turns in to Hirah, an Adullami. Judah sees a daughter of a certain Canaani, whose name was Shuah, and has relations with her. She bears three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. He is at Chezib when she bears the last son.
The descendants of Shelah wrought fine linen (1 Ch. 4:21).
Aczib was Chezib.
(6-14) Judah takes a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name is Tamar (palm tree). Er is wicked and YHWH slays him. Judah tells Onan to marry Tamar and raise up seed to his brother. Although Onan takes Tamar as his wife, he spills his seed on the ground to avoid giving seed for his diseased brother. This act displeases YHWH, who slays him. Judah tells Tamar, his daughter-in-law, to remain a widow at her father’s house until Shelah his son be grown. Tamar dwells at her father’s house. In time, Shuah, Judah’s wife dies. Judah goes to Timnath along with his friend Hirah the Adullami. Tamar hears that her father-in-law goes up to Timnath to shear his sheep. Putting away her widow’s attire, she covers herself with a vail, and sits openly by the way to Timnath; for she sees that Shelah was grown, and she is not been given unto him as a wife.
Possibly, Tamar was not a Canaanite, but related to the family of Abraham in the country of Aram.
(15-19) Judah thinks the woman by the way is a harlot, since her face is covered. Turning to her by the way, Judah wants to come in unto her. She asks what she will receive in payment. He says he will send a kid from the flock. She wants him to give a pledge until she receives the kid. He asks what kind of pledge. She says his signet, bracelets, and staff. Giving them to her, he comes in unto her, and she conceives by him. She arises, lays her vail away, and puts on the garments of her widowhood.
This passage is culturally hard to understand. According to Hittite Law 193, Tamar could have married her deceased husband’s brothers or his father[1]. Tamar had realized that Judah, her father-in-law, has defrauded her by not giving Shelah, the youngest brother, to her as he had promised. So, she played the harlot to obtain seed from Judah. Timing had to be right as far as meeting up with Judah and being able to conceive. God was with her. While the signet ring was used for credit, the staff was used as authority, and all three items would have identified their owner, Judah.
[1] James B. Pritchard, Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament, 3rd ed. p. 196, 182
(20-30) Judah sends the kid by the hand of his friend Hirah the Adullami, in order to receive his pledge back, but the woman cannot be found. Hirah asks the men of that place about the harlot, and they say there was no harlot. When Judah hears the information from his friend, he says let her take the kid, lest we be shamed. Three months later, Judah hears that Tamar has is pregnant by harlotry. Judah judges that she will be brought forth and be burnt. When she is brought forth, she says by the man whose these belong, am I with child; please tell me whose signet, bracelets, and staff are these. Judah acknowledges them, and says she has been more righteous than him, because he did not give her to Shelah his son. Judah does not have relations with her again. She bears twins. In her travail, one twin puts out his hand first, and the midwife takes and binds his hand with a scarlet thread. As he draws back his hand, his brother comes out. How have you broken forth? This breach be upon thee. Therefore, his name is called Pharez (breach). Afterward his brother that has the scarlet thread upon his hand comes out; and his name is called Zarah (a rising).
Perhaps, Tamar was blessed with twins because she was defrauded twice. Out of Pharez’ lineage, came Jesus Christ.
Tamar means palm-tree, and became the symbol of grace!
b Firstborn and Enslavement: 2) Joseph and the Wife of Potiphar (39:1-39:23)
(1-5) After Joseph is brought down to Egypt, Potiphar buys him from the Ishmaeli. YHWH is with Joseph, and he is prosperous. Potiphar sees that YHWH is with Joseph, who finds grace in his eyes. After Potiphar appoints Joseph over his house and over all he has, then YHWH blesses Potiphar’s house.
(6-15) Potiphar leaves all that he has to Joseph. Joseph is handsome and Potiphar’s wife is attracted to him. She desires that he lie with her, but he refuses. Every day she approaches Joseph, but he ignores her. One day he is alone in the house, and she catches his garment and says for him to lie with her. Leaving his garment, he flees outside. She calls for the men and says that Joseph tried to rape her. Since she had called out loudly, he then left his garment near her and fled.
(16-23) Placing Joseph’s garment near her, she is prepared for her husband’s return. Blaming her husband for buying Joseph, she complains that he came to play with me, and when I lifted my voice, he left his garment and fled. Burning with anger, Potipher takes Joseph and puts him into the prison, where the king’s prisoners are bound. YHWH is with Joseph and gives him grace in the eyes of the chief of the prison, who gives Joseph the charge of all the prisoners. The chief of the prison sees nothing wrong with Joseph, because YHWH is with him and prospering him.
c Pharaoh's Court and Revelation: 1) Joseph Interprets the Dreams of the Cupbearer and the Baker (40:1-40:23)
(1-8) Both the chief cup-bearer and the chief baker of Egypt sin against the king of Egypt, the Pharaoh. They are placed in the same prison as Joseph. The chief of the guard places these two men in the care of Joseph. One night each man receives a separate dream. Seeing that they are sad, Joseph asks what is troubling them. They explain that they each had a dream, but have no interpreter. Joseph explains that the interpretation comes from God.
(9-15) In the chief cupbearer’s dream, he sees a vine with three branches, that budded, blossomed, and brought forth ripe grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in his hand, and he squeezed the grapes into Pharaoh’s cup, and handed the cup to Pharaoh. Joseph gives the interpretation, and tells the chief cupbearer that in three days Pharaoh will restore his position. Joseph asks that the chief cupbearer would kindly make mention of him to Pharaoh, since he does not deserve to be in prison.
(16-19) Eagerly, the chief baker tells Joseph his dream. He explains that there were three white baskets on his head. In the upper basket were all kinds of baked goods, but the birds ate them out of the basket. Joseph gives the interpretation, and tells the chief baker that in three days Pharaoh will lift off his head, hang him, and the birds will eat his flesh.
(20-23) Three days later, on Pharaoh’s birthday, Pharaoh restored the position to the chief cupbearer, but hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted their dreams. However, the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph.
c Pharaoh's Court and Revelation: 2) Joseph Interprets the Dreams of Pharaoh (41:1-41:57)
(1-4) At the end of two full years, Pharaoh dreams he is standing by the Nile. Seven fair and fat cows come out of the river, and graze in the bulrushes. Then seven ugly and gaunt cows come out of the river, and stand by the banks of the river. And the ugly and gaunt cows eat the fair and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke.
(5-7) Returning to sleep, Pharaoh dreams again that seven fat and plump heads of grain come up on one stalk. Then seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, spring up. And the seven thin heads devour the fat and plump heads. Then Pharaoh awoke.
Who would be the Pharaoh during abundance? Khakheperre Senusret II or Sesostris II.
Sesostris II
(8-13) In the morning, Pharaoh’s spirit is troubled. None of his magicians and wise men could interpret the dreams. The chief cupbearer remembers Joseph, and tells Pharaoh about him.
(14-24) Pharaoh sends for Joseph to interpret the dream. Joseph acknowledges that the answer is not in him, but in God who will give an answer. Then Pharaoh tells Joseph the two dreams.
(25-36) Joseph tells Pharaoh that the dreams are one, and that God is showing Pharaoh what He is about to do. The seven fair and fat cows and the seven fat and plump heads of grain are seven years. Then the seven ugly and gaunt cows and the seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, are seven years of famine. There will be seven years of great plenty in the land of Egypt, but the following seven years the famine will deplete the land. The dream was repeated to Pharaoh because God has established the matter. Joseph advises Pharaoh to find a wise and prudent man and set him over the land of Egypt so he can appoint officers to collect one-fifth from the land during the plentiful years and store up the food in the cities. Then the stored food will be a reserve for the seven years of famine so the land will not perish.
(37-45) Pharaoh and his servants are pleased with the answer. Recognizing that only Joseph is given the wisdom and discernment by God, he chooses Joseph to be placed in power second to the Pharaoh. Thus, Joseph becomes a Tjati. Pharaoh gives Joseph his signet ring, clothes him in fine linen, and places a gold chain around his neck. Joseph rides in Pharaoh’s second chariot. Pharaoh calls Joseph Zaphnath-Paaneah, and gives him Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah the priest of On, as a wife.
(46-57) Joseph is 30 years old when he stands before Pharaoh. He goes throughout Egypt gathering much food in storehouses. Joseph and Asenath have two sons. The firstborn is Manasseh, meaning causing to forget. The second son is called Ephraim, meaning double fruit. When the seven years of plenty ended, the years of famine begin. While other lands experience famine, there is bread in the land of Egypt because Joseph sells food to the Egyptians from the storehouses. Because of the severity of the famine, other countries come to Egypt to buy from Joseph.
Granaries
d CENTRAL THEME: 1) Brothers Come to Egypt for Food (42:1-42:38)
(1-5) When Jacob sees that there is grain in Egypt, he sends his ten sons to buy grain from theret. However, he does not send Benjamin because he is fearful that something could happen to his son.
(6-17) Joseph, being the Tjati ruler, sells to the people. His brothers bow down to Joseph, not realizing that they were the ten sheaves of grain in Joseph’s dream. Recognizing his brothers who had come, he pretends to be a stranger and speaks harshly with them. He accuses them of being spies, while they try to explain that they are not spies, but brothers of one man while one brother is still at home and another ceases to exist. Claiming they are spies, Joseph tests them by saying they cannot leave unless their youngest brother comes here. Joseph tells them to send one of them to bring his brother, but meanwhile he puts all of them in prison for three days.
Who would be the Pharaoh during the famine? Khakaure Senusret III or Sesostris III.
Sesostris III
(18-25) Joseph tells them that he fears God and if they are honest men one of them will remain in prison, while the rest of them can return home with grain. But they are to return with the youngest brother. The brothers reflect among themselves about their guilt of what they did to Joseph. Reuben chastises them for their actions. They do not know that Joseph understands, since he has been using an interpreter to speak with them. Joseph turns away to weep, and returns to choose Simeon who will stay as a prisoner. Joseph commands that their sacks are to be filled with grain along with their money, and provisions given to them for the journey.
Why did Joseph choose Simeon? Since Reuben had tried to intervene on behalf of Joseph, Simeon, the second oldest, had chosen not to intervene on behalf of Joseph.
(26-34) The brothers load the grain on their donkeys and depart. Later, one of them opens his sack to feed his donkey and finds the money. They all become afraid and question God. When they return home, they tell their father of all that had transpired, and that they are to bring their youngest brother if they want Simeon returned and to trade in the land.
(35-38) To make matters worse, each brother finds their money returned to them in the sacks. Jacob is heart broke at the loss of Joseph and Simeon, and the possibility of losing Benjamin. Reuben speaks up offering the lives of his own two sons if he does not return with Benjamin. However, Jacob refuses to allow Benjamin to go.
d CENTRAL THEME: 2) Brothers Come to Egypt for Food (43:1-44:3)
(1-15) The famine was severe in the land. When they had eaten up the grain, their father tells them to return to Egypt. Judah reminds his father that they cannot return unless Benjamin is with them. They will return only if Benjamin is with them. Incensed at their stupidity, Israel berates them for mentioning that they have a younger brother. Judah explains the need to return to Egypt for more grain and promises to be a surety for Benjamin. Israel suggests that they give a present to the man, along with double the money, and to return the money found in their sacks. He tells them to take Benjamin and let God have mercy that the man releases Simeon and Benjamin.
(16-25) When Joseph sees Benjamin, he arranges for his brothers to dine at his house at noon. The brothers are fearful, and explain to the steward about finding the money in their sacks and returning it. He tells them not to fear, and brings out Simeon. After receiving hospitality of water for washing their feet and food for their donkeys at Joseph’s house, the brothers prepare their present for the Tjati.
(26-34) When Joseph returns home, the brothers give him their present and bow down before him. He asks about the welfare of their father. Seeing Benjamin, Joseph speaks grace to him. Joseph leaves to weep, and then returns to eat bread. The Egyptians eat separately from the Hebrews; however, the planned seating arrangement is from the oldest to the youngest, which astonishes them. Benjamin is given a serving five times as the others, and they drink making merry.
Bread and wine represent communion. The number five represents grace.
(1-3) Joseph commands his steward to return the money with the grain, and put his silver goblet in the mouth of the sack of the youngest. The next morning the brothers leave.
c' Revelation and Pharaoh's Court: 1) Joseph Has Some of His Brothers Brought to Him (44:4-45:15)
(4-17) Joseph tells his steward to overtake them and ask, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? Is not this the cup that my lord drinks and with what he divines?’ The brothers deny such a thing, and say whoever has done so let him die and the rest will be your lord’s slave. The steward agrees that only the one who has the silver goblet will become a slave, and the rest will be blameless. Each brother opens his sack, and the steward finds the goblet in Benjamin’s sack. They return to Joseph and fall before him on the ground. Judah agrees all should become slaves, but Joseph has a better plan that only the one who has the cup will become his slave, but the rest of you shall go in peace to your father.
They would rather be made slaves than face their father without Benjamin. Joseph had the wisdom to bring them to repentance.
(18-34) Judah respectfully reminds the Tjati that he had asked about their father and brother. When we told you about our father, our dead brother, and our youngest brother, then you ask your servants to have him brought down. We had responded that he could not leave his father, because his father would die. But you said unless he was brought down, you would not see our faces again. We told our father what you said. Our father requested that we go down and bring back food. We remind our father that we cannot go down unless our youngest brother is with us. He tells us if we do not return with him, then we will cause him to go down to the grave. When he sees that the lad is not with us, he will die. For I became surety for the lad for my father. Therefore, let me remain as a slave to you instead of the lad, and let the lad return home. How could I return home to my father and see the evil that would come upon him.
There is about 7 years difference between Joseph and his brother Benjamin. Although Benjamin is no longer a lad, Judah uses the word lad to evoke compassion from the Tjati.
(1-15) Not being able to contain his tears, Joseph discloses who he is. The brothers are troubled. He explains to them that it was God who sent me here to preserve your life. While the famine has been in the land for two years, it will continue for another five. Joseph shares that God is preserving a remnant. He acknowledges that God has made him a father to the Pharaoh and a Tjati throughout Egypt. Expressing his wish that their father come to Egypt, he tells them that their families can dwell in Goshen. He promises to provide for them. He asks them to tell their father of his glory and what they have seen, and to bring their father to Egypt. They all weep upon each other.
c' Revelation and Pharaoh's Court: 2) Joseph Has His Family Brought to Him (45:16-47:12)
(16-28) Their weeping was reported to Pharaoh, who says to Joseph to tell his brothers to return to Canaan, and for them to bring their father and households to Egypt where they will have the best of the land. They are provided with carts loaded with grain, bread, and food for the journey. When they return home, they tell their father that Joseph is still alive and he is the Tjati over Egypt. Shocked, Jacob realizes the truth of the matter and decides to go to Egypt to see his son.
(1-7) As he leaves the Negev, Israel comes to Beersheba to offer sacrifices to God. In a night vision, God speaks to him not to fear for God will make them a great nation in Egypt. God will be with him in Egypt and bring him back, and Joseph will put his hands on your eyes. Then Israel brought all his descendants to Egypt.
The phrase ‘put his hands on your eyes’ may refer to a peaceful death in the presence of his son, Joseph.
(8-15) These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt:
All these were the sons of Leah, and with his daughter Dinah. Thirty- three people. (Jacob, 31 men and Dinah or 33 men including Er and Onan who are accounted for.)
(16-18) All these were the sons of Zilpah, Leah’s maid. Sixteen persons.
(19-22) All these were the sons of Rachel. Fourteen persons.
(23-25) All these were the sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s maid. Seven persons.
(26-27) Sixty-six sons of Jacob go to Egypt beside their wives. Two sons of Jacob are already in Egypt. All the people of the house of Egypt are seventy. (31+ 16 + 14 + + 2 = 70)
(28-34) Judah guides them to Goshen. Joseph readies his chariot and goes up to Goshen to meet his father, and weeps on his neck. Israel says he is ready to die since he has Joseph’s face. Joseph says he will remind Pharaoh that his family are come, and being shepherds they have brought their flocks. When Pharaoh asks, What is your occupation, tell him you have been shepherds since your youth like your fathers. That way, you may dwell in the land of Goshen, since shepherds are an abomination to the Egyptians.
(1-4) Joseph tells the Pharaoh that his family has arrived from Canaan and is in the land of Goshen with their flocks. Joseph takes five of his brothers and presents them to Pharaoh. When Pharaoh asks them, what is their occupation, they reply they are shepherds like their fathers. They say we have come to dwell in the land because of the famine, and they ask if they can dwell in Goshen.
(5-12) Not only does Pharaoh tell Joseph that his family can dwell in the land of Goshen, but to make any competent men chief herdsmen over Pharaoh’s flocks. Joseph presents Jacob before Pharaoh, and Jacob blesses Pharaoh. Amazed, Pharaoh asks how old Jacob is. Responding, Jacob tells Pharaoh that he is 130 years old. Joseph gives them a possession of the best of the land, in the land of Avaris. Joseph also provides his family with bread.
The land of Avaris was the place that Jacob’s family settled, since the location of Rameses is an anachronism for a later period in Egyptian history, and has confused people to think that Rameses was the Pharaoh.
b' Enslavement and Firstborn: 1) Prospering in Egypt: Joseph (47:13-47:26)
(13-14) Joseph gathers the money he received from the Canaani and the Egyptians and brings it to Pharaoh.
(15-19) When the money failed, the Egyptians come to Joseph asking for bread. Joseph tells them that he will trade food for their livestock of horses, sheep, cattle and donkeys. The Egyptians were fed for a year. The following year, they come asking for bread and have only their bodies and lands to offer. They are willing to be Pharaoh’s servants.
(20-26) Joseph bought all the land for Pharaoh, and moved the people into the cities. The land of the priests he did not buy, since they received rations. Then Joseph gives seed to the people to sow the land, and instructs them that they are to give one-fifth of the harvest to Pharaoh and to retain the rest for seed and food for themselves. The people feel indebted to Joseph for saving their lives, and are willing to be Pharaoh’s servants.
b' Enslavement and Firstborn: 2) Prospering in Egypt: Jacob's sons (47:27-49:32)
(27-31) Meanwhile, Israel dwells in Goshen, growing and multiplying. Jacob lives in Egypt for 17 years more, and dies at the age of 147 years. Before he dies, Israel has Joseph swear that he will have him carried out of Egypt and buried with his fathers.
(1-7) When Joseph hears that his father is sick, he takes with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim to see his father. Jacob tells Joseph that God had appeared to him at Luz (Bethel) and He would bless him by making him fruitful and multiplying him, and giving the land to his descendants. He tells Joseph that Manasseh and Ephraim are his, like his own sons. Any other sons that Joseph is to have would belong to Joseph. He reminds Joseph that his mother had died on the road to Ephrath (Bethlehem).
At Avaris, the house of Ephraim and Manasseh was found, which had been built over the house of Jacob.
(8-16) When Israel sees Joseph’s sons, he requests that Joseph would bring them to him so he could bless them. Joseph leads Ephraim, the younger, towards Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh, the older, towards Israel’s right hand. Knowingly, Israel stretches his right hand laying it on Ephraim, the younger, and stretches his left hand laying it on Manasseh, the older. Israel proceeds to bless Joseph and the two lads.
Joseph’s sons would have been in their early 20’s.
(17-22) When Joseph sees that his father has his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he tries to move his father’s right hand to Manasseh’s head. His father tells Joseph, that he knows that Manasseh will be a great people, but his younger brother will be greater. Thus, Ephraim receives the greater blessing. Israel prophesies that God will return you to the land of your fathers. Joseph will receive a double portion of land, which his father had taken from the hand of the Amorite.
Joseph’s bones are returned to Canaan at the time of the Exodus.
Perhaps, this land pertains to Jacob’s well.
(1-4) Jacob calls his sons together to tell them what will happen. REUBEN: firstborn, is his might and the firstfruit of my strength, excelling in rank and power; unstable as water, you shall not excel because you went up to my bed and defiled it.
(5-7) SIMEON and LEVI: are brothers, instruments of cruelty, reference is made of killing a man, and in their self-will they hamstrung an ox. Cursed is their anger. I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.
(8-12) JUDAH: Your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies. Your father’s children shall bow down to you. Judah is a lion’s whelp. The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver between his feet until Shiloh comes. References to the donkey and colt tied to the vine, he washes his garments in wine, and the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.
(13) ZEBULON: shall dwell by the haven of the sea, a haven for ships. His border shall adjoin Sidon.
(14-15) ISSACHAR: is a strong donkey, lying down between two burdens, content with his circumstances he became a servant to tribute.
(16-18) DAN: shall judge his people. He shall be like a viper in the road. I have waited for your salvation, O Lord!
(19) GAD: although a troop shall trample on you, you will triumph at last.
(20) ASHER: your bread shall be rich, and you will yield royal dainties.
(21) NAPHTALI: you are a deer let loose, using beautiful words.
(8-12) JOSEPH: You are a fruitful bough by a well. Although you will be attacked by archers, your bow and arms remain strong by the hands of the mighty One. From there is the mighty shepherd, the rock of Israel. Many blessings to you!
(27) BENJAMIN: You are a ravenous wolf, devouring and dividing.
(28-33) The twelve tribes are blessed by their father according to their blessings. Jacob requests to be buried with his fathers in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the Hittite, which is before Mamre in Canaan, which Abraham had bought from Ephron the Hittite. Abraham and Sarah were buried there, Isaac and Rebekah were buried there, and I have buried Leah there.
a' End of Joseph's Story: 1) Death of Jacob (49:33-50:14)
(33) Then Jacob breathes his last, and is gathered by his people.
(1-14) Joseph weeps for his father, and commands his servants, the physicians to embalm his father. Embalming takes 40 days, and the Egyptians mourn for him for 70 days. Joseph speaks to Pharaoh’s household to speak to Pharaoh that he had promised to bury his father in Canaan. He asks permission to do so, promising to return. Pharaoh approves that Joseph should bury his father. Pharaoh’s servants accompany Joseph along with Joseph’s brothers, and a great gathering of horses and chariots accompany them. At Atad, beyond the Jordan, they mourn for Jacob for 7 days. The Canaanites see the great mourning, and the place was called Abel Mizraim. Then Joseph and his brothers return to Egypt.
Abel Mizraim means the meadow of the Egyptians, and the location of the site is unknown.
a' End of Joseph's Story: 2) Death of Joseph (50:15-50:26)
(15-21) After Jacob was dead, Joseph’s brothers are afraid that maybe Joseph will repay them for the evil they had done to him. They send a message to Joseph begging for forgiveness. Joseph weeps over this. Then they personally come to him and ask for forgiveness. He asks if he is God, and explains what they meant for evil, God turned it around for good. He promises to provide for them and speaks kindly to them.
Mummy
(22-26) Joseph and his brothers continue to dwell in Egypt. Joseph lives until he is 110 years old. He lives to see his great-grandchildren. As he is dying, he reminds his brothers’ family that God will bring you out of this land to the land of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He takes an oath from the children of Israel to carry his bones when they leave Egypt. Dying at 110 years, they embalm him and put him in a coffin in Egypt.
Joseph dies in 1807 BC.
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