Category:Book of Genesis / Part 3

Note: Click here for Chapters 1 - 25 of the Book of Genesis. Click here for Chapters 26 - 34 of the Book of Genesis.

Genesis Chapter 35


'Jacob purges his family from idols: goes by God's commandment to Bethel, and there builds an altar. God appearing again to Jacob blesses him, and changes his name into Israel. Rachel dies in childbirth. Isaac also dies.'

35:1. In the mean time God said to Jacob: Arise and go up to Bethel, and dwell there, and make there an altar to God, who appeared to you when you fled from Esau, your brother.

35:2. Jacob having called together all his household, said: Cast away the strange gods that are among you, and be cleansed, and change your garments.

35:3. Arise, and let us go up to Bethel, that we may make there an altar to God; who heard me in the day of my affliction, and accompanied me in my journey.



35:4. So they gave him all the strange gods they had, and the earrings which were in their ears: and he buried them under the turpentine tree, that is behind the city of Sichem.

35:5. When they were departed, the terror of God fell upon all the cities round about, and they durst not pursue after them as they went away.

35:6. Jacob came to Luza, which is in the land of Canaan, surnamed Bethel: he and all the people that were with him.

35:7. He built there an altar, and called the name of that place, The house of God: for there God appeared to him when he fled from his brother.

35:8. At the same time Debora, the nurse of Rebekah, died, and was buried at the foot of Bethel, under an oak, and the name of that place was called, The oak of weeping.

35:9. God appeared again to Jacob, after he returned from Mesopotamia of Syria, and he blessed him,

'''35:10. Saying: You shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be your name. He called him Israel.'''

Israel. . .This name signifies one that prevails with God.

'''35:11. He said to him: I am God almighty, increase you and be multiplied. Nations and peoples of nations shall be from you, and kings shall come out of your loins.'''



35:12. The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give to you, and to your seed after you.

35:13. He departed from him.

35:14. But he set up a monument of stone, in the place where God had spoken to him: pouring drink-offerings upon it, and pouring oil thereon:

35:15. Calling the name of that place Bethel.

35:16. Going forth from thence, he came in the spring time to the land which leads to Ephrata: wherein when Rachel was in travail,

35:17. By reason of her hard labor, she began to be in danger, and the midwife said to her: Fear not, for you shall have this son also.

35:18. When her soul was departing for pain, and death was now at hand, she called the name of her son Benoni, that is, the son of my pain: but his father called him Benjamin, that is, the son of the right hand.

35:19. So Rachel died, and was buried in the highway that leads to Ephrata, this is Bethlehem.



35:20. Jacob erected a pillar over her sepulchre: this is the pillar of Rachel's monument, to this day.

35:21. Departing thence, he pitched his tent beyond the Flock tower.

'''35:22. When he dwelt in that country, Reuben went, and sinned against *** his father: which he was not ignorant of. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve.'''

35:23. The sons of Leah: Reuben the first born, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulon.

35:24. The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin.

35:25. The sons of Bala, Rachel's handmaid: Dan and Naphtali.

35:26. The sons of Zelpha, Leah's handmaid: Gad and Aser: these are the sons of Jacob, that were born to him in Mesopotamia of Syria.

35:27. He came to Isaac his father in Mambre, the city of Arbee, this is Hebron: wherein Abraham and Isaac sojourned.

35:28. The days of Isaac were a hundred and eighty years.

35:29. Being spent with age he died, and was gathered to his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

Genesis Chapter 36
'Esau with his wives and children parts from Jacob. An account of his descendants, and of the first kings of Edom.'

36:1. These are the generations of Esau, the same is Edom.

36:2. Esau took wives of the daughters of Canaan: Ada the daughter of Elon the Hethite, and Oolibama the daughter of Ana, the daughter of Sebeon the Hevite:

Ada. . .These wives of Esau are called by other names, Gen. 26. But it was very common among the ancients for the same persons to have two names, as Esau himself was also called Edom.

36:3. Basemath, the daughter of Ismael, sister of Nabajoth.

36:4. Ada bore Eliphaz: Basemath bore Rahuel.

'''36:5. Oolibama bore Jehus, and Ihelon, and Core. These are the sons of Esau, that were born to him in the land of Chanaan.'''

36:6. Esau took his wives, and his sons and daughters, and every soul of his house, and his substance, and cattle, and all that he was able to acquire in the land of Canaan: and went into another country, and departed from his brother Jacob.



36:7. For they were exceeding rich, and could not dwell together: neither was the land in which they sojourned able to bear them, for the multitude of their flocks.

36:8. Esau dwelt in mount Seir: he is Edom.

36:9. These are the generations of Esau, the father of Edom, in mount Seir.

36:10. These the names of his sons: Eliphaz the son of Ada, the wife of Esau: and Rahuel, the son of Basemath, his wife.

36:11. Eliphaz had sons: Theman, Omar, Sepho, and Gatham and Cenez.

'''36:12. Thamna was the concubine of Eliphaz, the son of Esau: and she bore him Amalech. These are the sons of Ada, the wife of Esau.'''

'''36:13. The sons of Rahuel were Nahath and Zara, Samma and Meza. These were the sons of Basemath, the wife of Esau.'''

36:14. These were the sons of Oolibama, the daughter of Ana, the daughter of Sebeon, the wife of Esau, whom she bore to him, Jehus, and Ihelon, and Core.

36:15. These were dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz, the firstborn of Esau: duke Theman, duke Omar, duke Sepho, duke Cenez,

36:16. Duke Core, duke Gatham, duke Amalech: these are the sons of Eliphaz, in the land of Edom, and these the sons of Ada.

'''36:17. These were the sons of Rahuel, the son of Esau: duke Nahath, duke Zara, duke Samma, duke Meza. These are the dukes of Rahuel, in the land of Edom: these the sons of Basemath, the wife of Esau.'''

'''36:18. These the sons of Oolibama, the wife of Esau: duke Jehus, duke Ihelon, duke Core. These are the dukes of Oolibama, the daughter of Ana, and wife of Esau.'''

36:19. These are the sons of Esau, and these the dukes of them: the same is Edom.

36:20. These are the sons of Seir, the Horrite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan, and Sobal, and Sebeon, and Ana,

'''36:21. Dison, and Eser, and Disan. These are dukes of the Horrites, the sons of Seir, in the land of Edom.'''

'''36:22. Lotan had sons: Hori and Heman. The sister of Lotan was Thamna.'''

36:23. These the sons of Sobal: Alvan, and Manahat, and Ebal, and Sepho, and Onam.

'''36:24. These the sons of Sebeon: Aia and Ana. This is Ana that found the hot waters in the wilderness, when he fed the donkeys of Sebeon, his father:'''

36:25. He had a son Dison, and a daughter Oolibama.

36:26. These were the sons of Dison: Hamdan, and Eseban, and Jethram, and Charan.

36:27. These also were the sons of Eser: Balaan, and Zavan, and Acan.

36:28. Dison had sons: Hus and Aram.

36:29. These were dukes of the Horrites: duke Lotan, duke Sobal, duke Sebeon, duke Ana,

'''36:30. Duke Dison, duke Eser, duke Disan: these were dukes of the Horrites that ruled in the land of Seir. '''

36:31. The kings that ruled in the land of Edom, before the children of Israel had a king, were these:

36:32. Bela the son of Beor, and the name of his city Denaba.

36:33. Bela died, and Jobab, the son of Zara, of Bosra, reigned in his stead.

36:34. When Jobab was dead, Husam, of the land of the Themanites, reigned in his stead.

36:35. After his death, Adad, the son of Badad, reigned in his stead, who defeated the Madianites in the country of Boab; and the name of his city was Avith.

36:36. When Adad was dead, there reigned in his stead, Semla, of Masreca.

36:37. He being dead, Saul, of the river Rohoboth, reigned in his stead.

36:38. When he also was dead, Balanan, the son of Achobor, succeeded to the kingdom.

36:39. This man also being dead, Adar reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Phau: and his wife was called Meetabel, the daughter of Matred, daughter of Mezaab.

36:40. These are the names of the dukes of Esau in their kindreds, and places, and callings: duke Thamna, duke Alva, duke Jetheth,

36:41. Duke Oolibama, duke Ela, duke Phinon,

36:42. Duke Cenez, duke Theman, duke Mabsar,

36:43. Duke Magdiel, duke Hiram: these are the dukes of Edom dwelling in the land of their government; the same is Esau, the father of the Edomites.

Genesis Chapter 37
Joseph's dreams: he is sold by his brethren, and carried into Egypt.

37:1. Jacob dwelt in the land of, wherein his father sojourned.



37:2. These are his generations: Joseph, when he was sixteen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren, being but a boy: and he was with the sons of Bala and of Zelpha his father's wives: and he accused his brethren to his father of a most wicked crime.

37:3. Now Israel loved Joseph above all his sons, because he had him in his old age: and he made him a coat of diverse colors.

37:4. His brethren seeing that he was loved by his father, more than all his sons, hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.

37:5. Now it fell out also that he told his brethren a dream, that he had dreamed: which occasioned them to hate him the more.

A dream. . .These dreams of Joseph were prophetical, and sent from God; as were also those which he interpreted, Genesis 40 and Genesis 41; otherwise generally speaking, the observing of dreams is condemned in the Scripture, as superstitious and sinful. See Deuteronomy 18:10; Ecclesiastes 34:2-3.

37:6. He said to them: Hear my dream which I dreamed.



37:7. I thought we were binding sheaves in the field: and my sheaf arose as it were, and stood, and your sheaves standing about bowed down before my sheaf.

'''37:8. His brethren answered: Shall you be our king? or shall we be subject to your dominion? Therefore this matter of his dreams and words ministered nourishment to their envy and hatred.'''



37:9. He dreamed also another dream, which he told his brethren, saying: I saw in a dream, as it were the sun, and the moon, and eleven stars worshipping me.

'''37:10. When he had told this to his father, and brethren, his father rebuked him and said: What meaneth this dream that you hast dreamed? shall I and your mother, and your brethren worship you upon the earth?'''

Worship. . .This word is not used here to signify divine worship, but an inferior veneration, expressed by the bowing of the body, and that, according to the manner of the eastern nations, down to the ground.

37:11. His brethren therefore envied him: but his father considered the thing with himself.

37:12. When his brethren abode in Shechem, feeding their father's flocks,

Shechem is the current spelling for Sichem.

'''37:13. Israel said to him: Your brethren feed the sheep in Shechem: come, I will send you to them. When he answered:'''

'''37:14. I am ready: he said to him: Go, and see if all things be well with your brethren, and the cattle: and bring me word again what is doing. So being sent from the vale of Hebron, he came to Shechem:'''

37:15. and a man found him there wandering in the field, and asked what he sought.

37:16. But he answered: I seek my brethren, tell me where they feed the flocks.



'''37:17. The man said to him: They are departed from this place: for I heard them say: Let us go to Dothain. Joseph went forward after his brethren, and found them in Dothain.'''

37:18. When they saw him afar off, before he came near them, they thought to kill him:

37:19. and said one to another: Behold the dreamer comes.

37:20. Come, let us kill him, and cast him into some old pit: and we will say: Some evil beast hath devoured him: and then it shall appear what his dreams avail him:

37:21. Reuben hearing this, endeavored to deliver him out of their hands, and said:

37:22. Do not take away his life, nor shed his blood: but cast him into this pit, that is in the wilderness, and keep your hands harmless: now he said this, being desirous to deliver him out of their hands and to restore him to his father.

37:23. As soon as he came to his brethren, they forthwith stripped him of his outside coat, that was of diverse colors:

37:24. and cast him into an old pit where there was not water.

37:25. Sitting down to eat bread, they saw some Ismaelites on their way coming from Galaad, with their camels, carrying spices, and balm, and myrrh to Egypt.

37:26. Judah said to his brethren: What will it profit us to kill our brother, and conceal his blood?

'''37:27. It is better that he be sold to the Ishmaelites, and that our hands be not defiled: for he is our brother and our flesh. His brethren agreed to his words.''' 37:28. When the Midianite merchants passed by, they drew him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites, for twenty pieces of silver: and they led him into Egypt.

37:29. Reuben returning to the pit, found not the boy:

37:30. and rending his garments he went to his brethren, and said: The boy does not appear, and where shall I go?



37:31. They took his coat, and dipped it in the blood of a kid, which they had killed:

37:32. Sending some to carry it to their father, and to say: This we have found: see whether it be your son's coat, or not.

37:33. The father acknowledging it, said: It is my son's coat, an evil wild beast has eaten him, a beast has devoured Joseph.

37:34. Tearing his garments, he put on sackcloth, mourning for his son a long time.

'''37:35. All his children being gathered together to comfort their father in his sorrow, he would not receive comfort, but said: I will go down to my son into hell, mourning. While he continued weeping,'''

Into hell. . .That is, into limbo, the place where the souls of the just were received before the death of our Redeemer. For allowing that the word hell sometimes is taken for the grave, it cannot be so taken in this place; since Jacob did not believe his son to be in the grave, (whom he supposed to be devoured by a wild beast,) and therefore could not mean to go down to him thither: but certainly meant the place of rest where he believed his soul to be.

37:36. The Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Putiphar, an eunuch of Pharaoh, captain of the soldiers.

An eunuch. . .This word sometimes signifies a chamberlain, courtier, or officer of the king: and so it is taken in this place.

Genesis Chapter 38
The sons of Judah; the death of Her; the birth of Phares and Zara.



38:1. At that time Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Odollamite, named Hiras.

38:2. He saw there the daughter of a man of Canaan, called Sue: and taking her to wife, he went in unto her.

38:3. She conceived, and bore a son, and called his name Her.

38:4. Conceiving again, she bore a son, and called him Onan.

'''38:5. She bore also a third: whom she called Sela. After whose birth, she ceased to bear any more.'''

38:6. Judah took a wife for Her, his first born, whose name was Tamar.

38:7. Her, the first born of Judah, was wicked in the sight of the Lord: and was slain by him.

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38:27. When Tamar was ready to be brought to bed, there appeared twins in her womb: and in the very delivery of the infants, one put forth a hand, whereon the midwife tied a scarlet thread, saying:

38:28. This shall come forth the first.

'''38:29. But he drawing back his hand, the other came forth: and the woman said: Why is the partition divided for you? and therefore called his name Phares.'''

Phares. . .That is, a breach or division.

38:30. Afterwards his brother came out, on whose hand was the scarlet thread: and she called his name Zara.

Genesis Chapter 39
Joseph has charge of his master's house: rejects his mistress's solicitations: is falsely accused by her, and cast into prison, where he had the charge of all the prisoners.

39:1. Joseph was brought into Egypt, and Putiphar, an eunuch of Pharaoh, chief captain of the army, an Egyptian, bought him of the Ishmaelites, by whom he was brought.

39:2. The Lord was with him, and he was a prosperous man in all things: and he dwelt in his master's house:

39:3. Who knew very well that the Lord was with him, and made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

39:4. Joseph found favor in the sight of his master, and ministered to him: and being set over all by him, he governed the house committed to him, and all things that were delivered to him:

39:5. The Lord blessed the house of the Egyptian for Joseph's sake, and multiplied all his substance, both at home and in the fields.

'''39:6. Neither knew he any other thing, but the bread which he ate. Joseph was of a beautiful countenance, and comely to behold.'''

39:7. After many days, his mistress cast her eyes on Joseph, and said: Lie with me.

39:8. But he in no way consenting to that wicked act said to her: Behold, my master has delivered all things to me, and knows not what he has in his own house:

39:9. Neither is there any thing which is not in my power, or that he has not delivered to me, but you, who are his wife; how then can I do this wicked thing, and sin against my God?

39:10. With such words as these day by day, both the woman was importunate with the young man, and he refused the adultery.

39:11. Now it happened on a certain day, that Joseph went into the house, and was doing some business, without any man with him:



'''39:12. and she catching the skirt of his garment, said: Lie with me. But he, leaving the garment in her hand, fled, and went out.'''

39:13. When the woman saw the garment in her hands, and herself disregarded,



39:14. She called to her the men of her house, and said to them: See, he has brought in a Hebrew, to abuse us: he came in to me, to lie with me; and when I cried out,

39:15. and he heard my voice, he left the garment that I held, and got him out.

39:16. For a proof therefore of her fidelity, she kept the garment, and showed it to her husband when he returned home:

A proof of her fidelity. . .or an argument to gain credit, argumentum fidei.

39:17. and said: The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought, came to me to abuse me.

39:18. When he heard me cry, he left the garment which I held, and fled out.

39:19. His master hearing these things, and giving too much credit to his wife's words, was very angry,

39:20. and cast Joseph into the prison, where the king's prisoners were kept, and he was there shut up.

39:21. But the Lord was with Joseph, and having mercy upon him gave him favor in the sight of the chief keeper of the prison:

39:22. who delivered into his hand all the prisoners that were kept in custody: and whatsoever was done, was under him.

39:23. Neither did he himself know any thing, having committed all things to him: for the Lord was with him, and made all that he did to prosper.

Genesis Chapter 40
Joseph interprets the dreams of two of Pharaoh's servants in prison: the event declares the interpretations to be true, but Joseph is forgotten.

40:1. After this, it came to pass, that two eunuchs, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, offended their lord.

40:2. Pharaoh being angry with them, (now the one was chief butler, the other chief baker,)

40:3. He sent them to the prison of the commander of the soldiers, in which Joseph also was prisoner.

'''40:4. But the keeper of the prison delivered them to Joseph, and he served them. Some little time passed, and they were kept in custody.'''

40:5. They both dreamed a dream the same night, according to the interpretation agreeing to themselves:

40:6. When Joseph had come into them in the morning, and saw them sad,

40:7. he asked them, saying: Why is your countenance sadder today than usual?



'''40:8. They answered: We have dreamed a dream, and there is nobody to interpret it to us. Joseph said to them: Does not interpretation belong to God? Tell me what you have dreamed:'''

Does not interpretation belong to God?. . .When dreams are from God, as these were, the interpretation of them is a gift of God. But the generality of dreams are not of this sort; but either proceed from the natural complexions and dispositions of persons, or the roving of their imaginations in the day on such objects as they are much affected with, or from their mind being disturbed with cares and troubles, and oppressed with bodily infirmities: or they are suggested by evil spirits, to flatter, or to terrify weak minds, in order to gain belief, and so draw them into error or superstition; or at least to trouble them in their sleep, whom they cannot move when they are awake: so that the general rule, with regard to dreams, is not to observe them, nor to give any credit to them.

40:9. The chief butler first told his dream: I saw before me a vine,

40:10. on which were three branches, which by little and little sent out buds, and after the blossoms brought forth ripe grapes:



40:11. and the cup of Pharaoh was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into the cup which I held, and I gave the cup to Pharaoh.

40:12. Joseph answered: This is the interpretation of the dream: The three branches, are yet three days:

40:13. After which Pharaoh will remember your service, and will restore you to your former place: and you shall present him the cup according to your office, as before you were wont to do.

40:14. Only remember me when it shall be well with you, and do me this kindness: to put Pharaoh in mind to take me out of this prison:

40:15. For I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here without any fault was cast into the dungeon.

40:16. The chief baker seeing that he had wisely interpreted the dream, said: I also dreamed a dream, That I had three baskets of meal upon my head:



40:17. and that in one basket which was uppermost, I carried all meats that are made by the art of baking, and that the birds ate out of it.

40:18. Joseph answered: This is the interpretation of the dream: The three baskets, are yet three days:

40:19. After which Pharaoh will take your head from you, and hang you on a cross, and the birds shall tear your flesh.

40:20. The third day after this was the birthday of Pharaoh: and he made a great feast for his servants, and at the banquet remembered the chief butler, and the chief baker.

40:21. He restored the one to his place, to present him the cup:



40:22. The other he hanged on a gibbet, that the truth of the interpreter might be shown.

40:23. But the chief butler, when things prospered with him, forgot his interpreter.

Genesis Chapter 41
Joseph interprets the two dreams of Pharaoh: he is made ruler over all Egypt.



'''41:1. After two years Pharaoh had a dream. He thought he stood by the river,'''

41:2. Out of which came up seven kine, very beautiful and fat: and they fed in marshy places.

41:3. Other seven also came up out of the river, ill-favored, and lean fleshed: and they fed on the very bank of the river, in green places:

'''41:4. and they devoured them, whose bodies were very beautiful and well conditioned. So Pharaoh awoke.'''



41:5. He slept again, and dreamed another dream: Seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk full and fair:

41:6. Then seven other ears sprung up thin and blasted,



'''41:7. and devoured all the beauty of the former. Pharaoh awoke after his rest:'''

41:8. and when morning had come, being struck with fear, he sent to all the interpreters of Egypt, and to all the wise men: and they being called for, he told them his dream, and there was not any one that could interpret it.

41:9. Then at length the chief butler remembering, said: "I confess my sin:"

41:10. "The Pharaoh being angry with his servants, commanded me and the chief baker to be cast into the prison of the captain of the soldiers."

41:11. Where in one night both of us dreamed a dream foreboding things to come.

41:12. There was there a young man, a Hebrew, servant to the same captain of the soldiers: to whom we told our dreams,

'''41:13. and we heard what afterwards the event of the thing proved to be so. For I was restored to my office: and he was hanged upon a gibbet.'''

41:14. Forthwith at the Pharaoh's command Joseph was brought out of the prison, and they shaved him: and changing his apparel brought him in to the Pharaoh.

41:15. Pharaoh said to him: I have dreamed dreams, and there is no one that can expound them: Now I have heard that you are very wise at interpreting them:

41:16. Joseph answered: Without me, God shall give Pharaoh a prosperous answer.



41:17. So Pharaoh told what he had dreamed: I thought I stood upon the bank of the river,

41:18. and seven kine came up out of the river, exceeding beautiful and full of flesh: and they grazed on green places in a marshy pasture.



41:19. Behold, there followed these, other seven kine, so very ill-favored and lean, that I never saw the like in the land of Egypt:

41:20. and they devoured and consumed the former,

'''41:21. and yet gave no mark of their being full: but were as lean and ill-favored as before. I awoke, and then fell asleep again,'''

41:22. and dreamed a dream: Seven ears of corn grew up upon one stalk, full and very fair.

41:23. Other seven also thin and blasted, sprung of the stalk:

41:24. and they devoured the beauty of the former: I told this dream to the conjecturers, and there is no man that can expound it.

41:25. Joseph answered: The king's dream is one: God has shown to Pharaoh what He is about to do.

41:26. The seven beautiful kine, and the seven full ears, are seven years of plenty: and both contain the same meaning of the dream.

41:27. The seven lean and thin kine that came up after them, and the seven thin ears that were blasted with the burning wind, are seven years of famine to come:

41:28. Which shall be fulfilled in this order.

41:29. Behold, there shall come seven years of great plenty in the whole land of Egypt:

41:30. After which shall follow other seven years of so great scarcity, that all the abundance before shall be forgotten: for the famine shall consume all the land,

41:31. and the greatness of the scarcity shall destroy the greatness of the plenty.

41:32. For that you did see the second time a dream pertaining to the same thing: it is a token of the certainty, and that the word of God comes to pass, and is fulfilled speedily.

41:33. Now therefore let Pharaoh provide a wise and industrious man, and make him ruler over the land of Egypt:



41:34. that he may appoint overseers over all the countries: and gather into barns the fifth part of the fruits, during the seven fruitful years,

41:35. That shall now presently ensue: and let all the corn be laid up, under Pharaoh's hands, and be reserved in the cities.

41:36. Let it be in readiness, against the famine of seven years to come, which shall oppress Egypt, and the land shall not be consumed with scarcity.

41:37. The counsel pleased Pharaoh, and all his servants.

41:38. He said to them: Can we find such another man, that is full of the spirit of God?

41:39. He said therefore to Joseph: Seeing God has shown you all that you have said, can I find one wiser and one like unto you?



41:40. You shall be over my house, and at the commandment of your mouth all the people shall obey: only in the kingly throne will I be above you.

41:41. Again Pharaoh said to Joseph: Behold, I have appointed you over the whole land of Egypt.

41:42. He took his ring from his own hand, and gave it into his hand: and he put upon him a robe of silk, and put a chain of gold about his neck.



41:43. He made him go up into his second chariot, the crier proclaiming that all should bow their knee before him, and that they should know he was made governor over the whole land of Egypt.

41:44. The king said to Joseph: I am Pharaoh: without your commandment no man shall move hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

'''41:45. He turned his name, and called him in the Egyptian tongue the savior of the world. He gave him to wife Aseneth, the daughter of Putiphare, priest of Heliopolis. Then Joseph went out to the land of Egypt.'''

The savior of the world. . .Zaphnah paaneah.

41:46. (Now he was thirty years old when he stood before king Pharaoh), and he went around all the countries of Egypt.

41:47. The fruitfulness of the seven years came: and the corn being bound up into sheaves, was gathered together into the barns of Egypt.



41:48. All the abundance of grain was laid up in every city.

41:49. There was so great abundance of wheat, that it was equal to the sand of the sea, and the plenty exceeded measure.

41:50. Before the famine came, Joseph had two sons born: whom Aseneth, the daughter of Putiphare, priest of Heliopolis, bore unto him.

41:51. He called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, saying: God has made me to forget all my labors, and my father's house.

Manasseh had been spelled Manasses. . .That is, oblivion, or forgetting.



41:52. He named the second Ephraim, saying: God has made me to grow in the land of my poverty.

Ephraim. . .That is, fruitful, or growing.

41:53. Now when the seven years of plenty that had been in Egypt were passed:

41:54. The seven years of scarcity, which Joseph had foretold, began to come: and the famine prevailed in the whole world, but there was bread in all the land of Egypt.

'''41:55. When there also they began to be famished, the people cried to Pharaoh, for food. He said to them: Go to Joseph: and do all that he shall say to you.'''

41:56. The famine increased daily in all the land: and Joseph opened all the barns, and sold to the Egyptians: for the famine had oppressed them also.

41:57. All provinces came into Egypt, to buy food, and to seek some relief of their want.

Genesis Chapter 42
'Jacob sends his ten sons to buy corn in Egypt. Their treatment by Joseph.'

42:1. Jacob hearing that food was sold in Egypt, said to his sons: Why are ye careless?



42:2. I have heard that wheat is sold in Egypt: Go ye down, and buy us necessaries, that we may live, and not be consumed with want.

42:3. So the ten brethren of Joseph went down, to buy corn in Egypt:

42:4. While Benjamin was kept at home by Jacob, who said to his brethren: Lest perhaps he take any harm in the journey.

'''42:5. They entered into the land of Egypt with others that went to buy. For the famine was in the land of Canaan.'''

'''42:6. Joseph was governor in the land of Egypt, and corn was sold by his direction to the people. When his brethren had bowed down to him,'''

'''42:7. and he knew them, he spoke as it were to strangers, somewhat roughly, asking them: Whence came you? They answered: From the land of Canaan, to buy necessaries of life.'''

42:8. Though he knew his brethren, he was not known by them.



'''42:9. Remembering the dreams, which formerly he had dreamed, he said to them: You are spies. You are come to view the weaker parts of the land.'''

You are spies. . .This he said by way of examining them, to see what they would answer.

42:10. But they said: It is not so, my lord; but your servants are come to buy food.

42:11. We are all the sons of one man: we are come as peaceable men, neither do your servants go about any evil.

42:12. He answered them: It is otherwise: you are come to consider the unfenced parts of this land.

42:13. But they said: We your servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Chanaan: the youngest is with our father, the other is not living.

42:14. He said, This is it that I said: You are spies.

42:15. I shall now presently try what you are: by the health of Pharaoh, you shall not depart hence, until your youngest brother come.



42:16. Send one of you to fetch him: and you shall be in prison, till what you have said be proved, whether it be true or false: or else by the health of Pharaoh you are spies.

Or else by the health of Pharaoh you are spies. . .That is, if these things you say be proved false, you are to be held for spies for your lying, and shall be treated as such. Joseph dealt in this manner with his brethren, to bring them by the means of affliction to a sense of their former sin, and a sincere repentance for it.

42:17. So he put them in prison three days.

42:18. The third day he brought them out of prison, and said: Do as I have said, and you shall live: for I fear God.

42:19. If you be peaceable men, let one of your brethren be bound in prison: and you go your ways, and carry the corn that you have bought, unto your houses.

'''42:20. Bring your youngest brother to me, that I may find your words to be true, and you may not die. They did as he had said.'''

42:21. They talked one to another: We deserve to suffer these things, because we have sinned against our brother, seeing the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear: therefore is this affliction come upon us.

'''42:22. Reuben, one of them, said: Did not I say to you: Do not sin against the boy; and you would not hear me? Behold his blood is required.'''

42:23. They knew not that Joseph understood, because he spoke to them by an interpreter.

42:24. He turned himself away a little while, and wept: and returning, he spoke to them.



42:25. Taking Simeon, and binding him in their presence, he commanded his servants to fill their sacks with wheat, and to put every man's money again in their sacks, and to give them besides provisions for the way: and they did so.

42:26. But they having loaded their donkeys with the corn went their way.

42:27. One of them opening his sack, to give his beast provender in the inn, saw the money in the sack's mouth,

'''42:28. and said to his brethren: My money is given me again; behold it is in the sack. They were astonished, and troubled, and said to one another: What is this that God has done unto us?'''

42:29. They came to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan, and they told him all things that had befallen them, saying:

42:30. The lord of the land spoke roughly to us, and took us to be spies of the country.



42:31. We answered him: We are peaceable men, and we mean no plot.

42:32. We are twelve brethren born of one father: one is not living the youngest is with our father in the land of Canaan.

42:33. He said to us: Hereby shall I know that you are peaceable men: Leave one of your brethren with me, and take ye necessary provision for your houses, and go your ways,

42:34. Bring your youngest brother to me, that I may know you are not spies: and you may receive this man again, that is kept in prison: and afterwards may have leave to buy what you will.

42:35. When they had told this, they poured out their corn, and every man found his money tied in the mouth of his sack: and all being astonished together,

42:36. Their father Jacob said: You have made me to be without children: Joseph is not living, Simeon is kept in bonds, and Benjamin you will take away: all these evils are fallen upon me.



42:37. Reuben answered him: Kill my two sons, if I bring him not again to you: deliver him into my hand, and I will restore him to you.

42:38. But he said: My son shall not go down with you: his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if any mischief befall him in the land to which you go, you will bring down my grey hairs with sorrow to hell.

To hell. . .That is, to that place, where the souls then remained, as above, chapter 37. ver. 35.

Genesis Chapter 43
'The sons of Jacob go again into Egypt with Benjamin. They are entertained by Joseph.'

43:1. In the mean time the famine was heavy upon all the land.



43:2. When they had eaten up all the corn, which they had brought out of Egypt, Jacob said to his sons: Go again, and buy us a little food.

43:3. Judah answered: The man declared unto us with the attestation of an oath, saying: You shall not see my face, unless you bring your youngest brother with you.

43:4. If therefore you will send him with us, we will set out together, and will buy necessities for you.

43:5. But if you will not, we will not go: for the man, as we have often said, declared unto us, saying: You shall not see my face without your youngest brother.

43:6. Israel said to them: You have done this for my misery, in that you told him you had also another brother.

43:7. But they answered: The man asked us in order concerning our kindred: if our father lived: if we had a brother: and we answered him regularly, according to what he demanded: could we know that he would say: Bring hither your brother with you?

43:8. Judah said to his father: Send the boy with me, that we may set forward, and may live: lest both we and our children perish.

43:9. I take the boy upon me, require him at my hand: unless I bring him again, and restore him to you, I will be guilty of sin against you forever.

43:10. If delay had not been made, we had been here again the second time.



43:11. Then Israel said to them: If it must needs be so, do what you will: take of the best fruits of the land in your vessels, and carry down presents to the man, a little balm, and honey, and storax, myrrh, turpentine, and almonds.

Balm. . .Literally rosin, resinae; but here by that name is meant balm.

43:12. Take with you double money, and carry back what you found in your sacks, lest perhaps it was done by mistake.

43:13. Take also your brother, and go to the man.

43:14. May my almighty God make him favorable to you: and send back with you your brother, whom he keeps, and this Benjamin: and as for me I shall be desolate without children.

43:15. So the men took the presents, and double money, and Benjamin: and went down into Egypt, and stood before Joseph.

43:16. When he had seen them, and Benjamin with them, he commanded the steward of his house, saying: Bring in the men into the house, and kill victims, and prepare a feast: because they shall eat with me at noon.

43:17. He did as he was commanded, and brought the men into the house.



43:18. They being much afraid, said there one to another: Because of the money, which we carried back the first time in our sacks, we are brought in: that he may bring upon us a false accusation, and by violence make slaves of us and our donkeys.

43:19. Wherefore, going up to the steward of the house, at the door,

'''43:20. They said: Sir, we desire you to hear us. We came down once before to buy food:'''

43:21. When we had bought, and were come to the inn, we opened our sacks, and found our money in the mouths of the sacks: which we have now brought again in the same weight.

43:22. We have brought other money besides, to buy what we want: we cannot tell who put it in our bags.

'''43:23. But he answered: Peace be with you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks. For the money, which you gave me, I have for good. He brought Simeon out to them.'''

43:24. Having brought them into the house, he fetched water, and they washed their feet, and he gave provender to their donkeys.



43:25. But they made ready the presents, against Joseph came at noon: for they had heard that they should eat bread there.

43:26. Then Joseph came in to his house, and they offered him the presents, holding them in their hands; and they bowed down with their face to the ground.

'''43:27. But he courteously saluting them again, asked them, saying: Is the old man your father in health, of whom you told me? Is he yet living?'''

'''43:28. They answered: Your servant our father, is in health; he is yet living. Bowing themselves, they made obeisance to him.'''



'''43:29. Joseph lifting up his eyes, saw Benjamin, his brother by the same mother, and said: Is this your young brother, of whom you told me? And he said: God be gracious to you, my son.'''

43:30. He made haste, because his heart was moved upon his brother, and tears gushed out: and going into his chamber, he wept.

43:31. When he had washed his face, coming out again, he refrained himself, and said: Set bread on the table.

43:32. When it was set on, for Joseph apart, and for his brethren apart, for the Egyptians also that ate with him apart, (for it is unlawful for the Egyptians to eat with the Hebrews, and they think such a feast profane):

'''43:33. They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his age. They wondered very much;'''

'''43:34. Taking the messes which they received of him: and the greater mess came to Benjamin, so that it exceeded by five parts. They drank, and were merry with him.'''

Genesis Chapter 44
'Joseph's contrivance to stop his brethren. The humble supplication of Judah.'



44:1. Joseph commanded the steward of his house, saying: Fill their sacks with corn, as much as they can hold: and put the money of every one in the top of his sack.



'''44:2. In the mouth of the younger's sack put my silver cup, and the price which he gave for the wheat. It was so done.'''

44:3. When the morning arose, they were sent away with their donkeys.

44:4. When they were now departed out of the city, and had gone forward a little way: Joseph sending for the steward of his house, said: Arise, and pursue after the men: and when you have overtaken them, say to them: Why have you returned evil for good?



44:5. The cup which you have stolen, is that in which my lord drinks, and in which he is wont to divine: you have done a very evil thing.

'''44:6. He did as he had commanded him. Having overtaken them, he spoke to them the same words.'''

44:7. They answered: Why does our lord speak so, as though your servants had committed so heinous a fact?



44:8. The money, that we found in the top of our sacks, we brought back to you from the land of Canaan: how then should it be that we should steal gold or silver out of your lord's house?

44:9. With whomsoever of your servants shall be found that which you seeks, let him die, and we will be the bondmen of my lord.

44:10. He said to them: Let it be according to your sentence: with whomsoever it shall be found, let him be my servant, and you shall be blameless.

44:11. Then they speedily took down their sacks to the ground, and every man opened his sack.

44:12. Which when he had searched, beginning at the eldest, and ending at the youngest, he found the cup in Benjamin's sack.

44:13. Then they rent their garments, and loading their donkeys again, returned into the town.

44:14. Judah at the head of his brethren went in to Joseph (for he was not yet gone out of the place) and they all together fell down before him on the ground.

'''44:15. He said to them: Why would you do so? Do you not know that there is no one like me in the science of divining?'''

The science of divining. . .He speaks of himself according to what he was esteemed in that kingdom. Indeed, being gifted by God, he knew more without comparison than any of the Egyptian sorcerers.

'''44:16. Judah said to him: What shall we answer, my lord, or what shall we say, or be able justly to allege? God has found out the iniquity of your servants: behold, we are all bondmen to my lord, both we, and he with whom the cup was found.'''

44:17. Joseph answered: God forbid that I should do so: he that stole the cup, he shall be my bondman: and go you away free to your father.



44:18. Then Judah coming nearer, said boldly: I beseech you, my lord, let your servant speak a word in your ears, and be not angry with your servant: for after Pharaoh you art.

'''44:19. My lord. You asked your servants the first time: Have you a father or a brother.'''

44:20. We answered you, my lord: We have a father, an old man, and a young boy, that was born in his old age; whose brother by the mother is dead; and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loves him tenderly.

44:21. You said to your servants: Bring him hither to me, and I will set my eyes on him.



44:22. We suggested to my lord: The boy cannot leave his father: for if he leave him, he will die.

44:23. You said to your servants: Unless your youngest brother come with you, you shall see my face no more.

44:24. Therefore when we had gone up to your servant, our father, we told him all that my lord had said.

44:25. Our father said: Go again, and buy us a little wheat.

44:26. We said to him: We cannot go: if our youngest brother does not go down with us, we will set out together: otherwise, without him we dare not see the man's face.

44:27. Whereunto he answered: You know that my wife bore me two.

44:28. One went out, and you said: A beast devoured him; and hitherto he appeared not.

44:29. If you take this also, and any thing befall him in the way, you will bring down my grey hairs with sorrow unto hell.

44:30. Therefore, if I shall go to your servant, our father, and the boy be wanting, (whereas his life depends upon the life of him,)

44:31. He shall see that he is not with us, he will die, and your servants shall bring down his grey hairs with sorrow unto hell.

His gray hairs. . .That is, his person, now far advanced in years.--With sorrow unto hell. . .The Hebrew word for hell is here sheol, the Greek hades: it is not taken for the hell of the damned; but for that place of souls below where the servants of God were kept before the coming of Christ. Which place, both in the Scripture and in the creed, is named hell.

44:32. Let me be your proper servant, who took him into my trust, and promised, saying: If I bring him not again, I will be guilty of sin against my father forever.

44:33. Therefore, I, your servant, will stay instead of the boy in the service of my lord, and let the boy go up with his brethren.

44:34. For I cannot return to my father without the boy, lest I be a witness of the calamity that will oppress my father.

Genesis Chapter 45
Joseph makes himself known to his brethren: and sends for his father.



45:1. Joseph could no longer refrain himself before many that stood by: hereupon he commanded that all should go out, and no stranger be present at their knowing one another.

45:2. He lifted up his voice with weeping, which the Egyptians, and all the house of Pharaoh heard.



'''45:3. He said to his brethren: I am Joseph: Is my father yet living? His brethren could not answer him, being struck with exceeding great fear.'''

'''45:4. He said mildly to them: Come nearer to me. When they had come near him, he said: I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.'''

45:5. Be not afraid, and let it not seem to you a hard case that you sold me into these countries: for God sent me before you into Egypt for your preservation.

45:6. For it is two years since the famine began to be upon the land, and five years more remain, wherein there can be neither plowing nor reaping.

45:7. God sent me before, that you may be preserved upon the earth, and may have food to live.



45:8. Not by your counsel was I sent hither, but by the will of God: who has made me as it were a father to Pharaoh, and lord of his whole house, and governor in all the land of Egypt.

45:9. Make haste, and go ye up to my father, and say to him: Thus says your son Joseph: God hath made me lord of the whole land of Egypt; come down to me, linger not.

45:10. You shall dwell in the land of Gessen: and you shall be near me, you and your sons, and your sons' sons, your sheep, and your herds, and all things that you have.

45:11. There I will feed you, (for there are yet five years of famine remaining) lest both you perish, and your house, and all things that you have.

45:12. Behold, your eyes, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, see that it is my mouth that speaks to you.

45:13. You shall tell my father of all my glory, and all things that you have seen in Egypt: make haste and bring him to me.



45:14. Falling upon the neck of his brother Benjamin, he embraced him and wept: and Benjamin in like manner wept also on his neck.

45:15. Joseph kissed all his brethren, and wept upon every one of them: after which they were emboldened to speak to him.

45:16. It was heard, and the fame was spread abroad in the king's court: The brethren of Joseph did come; and Pharaoh with all his family was glad.

45:17. He spoke to Joseph that he should give orders to his brethren, saying: Load your beasts, and go into the land of Canaan,

45:18. Bring away from there your father and kindred, and come to me; and I will give you all the good things of Egypt, that you may eat the marrow of the land.

45:19. Give orders also that they take wagons out of the land of Egypt, for the carriage of their children and their wives; and say: Take up your father, and make haste to come with all speed:



45:20 Leave nothing of your household stuff: for all the riches of Egypt shall be yours.

'''45:21. The sons of Israel did as they were bid. Joseph gave them wagons according to Pharao's commandment: and provisions for the way.'''

45:22. He ordered also to be brought out for every one of them two robes: but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver with five robes of the best:

45:23. Sending to his father as much money and raiment, adding besides ten he donkeys to carry off all the riches of Egypt, and as many she donkeys, carrying wheat and bread for the journey.

45:24. So he sent away his brethren, and at their departing said to them: Be not angry in the way.

45:25. They went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan to their father Jacob.

'''45:26. They told him, saying: Joseph your son is living: and he is ruler in all the land of Egypt. Which when Jacob heard, he awakened as it were out of a deep sleep, yet did not believe them.'''

'''45:27. They, on the other hand, told the whole order of the thing. When he saw the wagons and all that he had sent his spirit revived,'''

45:28. and he said: It is enough for me if Joseph, my son, be yet living; I will go and see him before I die.

Genesis Chapter 46
Israel, warranted by a vision from God, goes down into Egypt with all his family.

46:1. Israel taking his journey, with all that he had, came to the well of the oath, and killing victims there to the God of his father Isaac,

The well of the oath. . .Bersabee.

'''46:2. He heard him, by a vision in the night, calling him, and saying to him: Jacob, Jacob. He answered him: Lo, here I am.'''



46:3. God said to him: I am the most mighty God of your father; fear not, go down into Egypt, for I will make a great nation of you there.

46:4. I will go down with you thither, and will bring you back again from there: Joseph also shall put his hands upon your eyes.

46:5. Jacob rose up from the well of the oath: and his sons took him up, with their children and wives in the wagons, which Pharaoh had sent to carry the old man,

46:6. All that he had in the land of Canaan: and he came into Egypt with all his seed;

46:7. His sons, and grandsons, daughters, and all his offspring together.

'''46:8. These are the names of the children of Israel, that entered into Egypt, he and his children. His firstborn Reuben,'''

46:9. The sons of Reuben: Henoch and Phallu, and Hesron and Charmi.

46:10. The sons of Simeon: Jamuel and Jamin and Ahod, and Jachin and Sohar, and Saul, the son of a woman of Canaan.



46:11. The sons of Levi: Gerson and Caath, and Merari.

'''46:12. The sons of Judah: Her and Onan, and Sela, and Phares and Zara. Her and Onan died in the land of Canaan. Sons were born to Phares: Hesron and Hamul.'''

46:13. The sons of Issachar: Thola and Phua, and Job and Semron.



46:14. The sons of Zabulon: Sared, and Elon, and Jahelel.

'''46:15. These are the sons of Leah, whom she bore in Mesopotamia of Syria, with Dina, his daughter. All the souls of her sons and daughters, thirty-three.'''



46:16. The sons of Gad: Sephion and Haggi, and Suni and Esebon, and Heri and Arodi, and Areli.

'''46:17. The sons of Aser: Jamne and Jesua, and Jessuri and Beria, and Sara their sister. The sons of Beria: Heber and Melchiel.'''

'''46:18. These are the sons of Zelpha, whom Laban gave to Leah, his daughter. These she bore to Jacob, sixteen souls.'''

46:19. The sons of Rachel, Jacob's wife: Joseph and Benjamin.

46:20. Sons were born to Joseph, in the land of Egypt, whom Aseneth, the daughter of Putiphare, priest of Heliopolis, bore him: Manasseh and Ephraim.

46:21. The sons of Benjamin: Bela and Bechor, and Asbel and Gera, and Naaman and Echi, and Ross and Mophim, and Ophim and Ared.

46:22. These are the sons of Rachel, whom she bore to Jacob: all the souls, fourteen.

46:23. The sons of Dan: Husim.

46:24. The sons of Nephthali: Jaziel and Guni, and Jeser and Sallem.

46:25. These are the sons of Bala, whom Laban gave to Rachel, his daughter: and these she bore to Jacob: all the souls, seven.

46:26. All the souls that went with Jacob into Egypt, and that came out of his thigh, besides his sons' wives, sixty-six.

'''46:27. The sons of Joseph, that were born to him in the land of Egypt, two souls. All the souls of the house of Jacob, that entered into Egypt, were seventy.'''

46:28. He sent Judah before him to Joseph, to tell him; and that he should meet him in Gessen.



46:29. When he had come thither, Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet his father in the same place: and seeing him, he fell upon his neck, and embracing him, wept.

46:30. The father said to Joseph: Now shall I die with joy, because I have seen your face, and leave you alive.

46:31. Joseph said to his brethren, and to all his father's house: I will go up, and will tell Pharaoh, and will say to him: My brethren, and my father's house, that were in the land of Canaan, are come to me:

46:32. The men are shepherds, and their occupation is to feed cattle; their flocks, and herds, and all they have, they have brought with them.

46:33. When he shall call you, and shall say: What is your occupation?

'''46:34. You shall answer: We, your servants, are shepherds, from our infancy until now, both we and our fathers. This you shall say, that you may dwell in the land of Gessen, because the Egyptians have all shepherds in abomination.'''

Genesis Chapter 47
'Jacob and his sons are presented before Pharaoh: he gives them the land of Gessen. The famine forces the Egyptians to sell all their possessions to the king.'



47:1. Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, saying: My father and brethren, their sheep and their herds, and all that they possess, have come out of the land of Canaan: and behold they stay in the land of Gessen.

47:2. Five men also, the last of his brethren, he presented before the king:

The last. . .xtremos. Some interpret this word of the chiefest, and most rightly: but Joseph seems rather to have chosen out such as had the meanest appearance, that Pharaoh might not think of employing them at court, with danger of their morals and religion.

'''47:3. He asked them: What is your occupation? They answered: We, your servants, are shepherds, both we and our fathers.'''

47:4. We are come to sojourn in your land, because there is no grass for the flocks of your servants, the famine being very grievous in the land of Canaan: and we pray that you give orders that we your servants may be in the land of Gessen.

47:5. The king therefore said to Joseph: Your father and your brethren have come to you.

'''47:6. The land of Egypt is before you: and make them dwell in the best place, and give them the land of Gessen. If you know that there are industrious men among them, make them rulers over my cattle.'''

47:7. After this Joseph brought in his father to the king, and presented him before him: and he blessed him.



47:8. Being asked by him: How many are the days of the years of your life?

47:9. He answered: The days of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty years, few, and evil, and they are not come up to the days of the pilgrimage of my fathers.

47:10. Blessing the king, he went out.

47:11. But Joseph gave a possession to his father and his brethren in Egypt, in the best place of the land, in Ramesses, as Pharaoh had commanded.

47:12. He nourished them, and all his father's house, allowing food to every one.

47:13. For in the whole world there was want of bread, and a famine had oppressed the land, more especially of Egypt and Canaan;



47:14. Out of which he gathered up all the money for the corn which they bought, and brought it in to the king's treasure.

47:15. When the buyers wanted money, all Egypt came to Joseph, saying: Give us bread: why should we die in your presence, having now no money?

47:16. He answered them: Bring me your cattle, and for them I will give you food, if you have no money.

47:17. When they had brought them, he gave them food in exchange for their horses, and sheep, and oxen, and donkeys: and he maintained them that year for the exchange of their cattle.

47:18. They came the second year, and said to him: We will not hide from our lord, how that our money is spent, and our cattle also are gone: neither are you ignorant that we have nothing now left but our bodies and our lands.



'''47:19. Why therefore shall we die before your eyes? we will be thine, both we and our lands: buy us to be the king's servants, and give us seed, lest for want of tillers the land be turned into a wilderness.'''

'''47:20. So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt, every man selling his possessions, because of the greatness of the famine. He brought it into Pharaoh's hands:'''

47:21. All its people from one end of the borders of Egypt, even to the other end thereof,

47:22. Except the land of the priests, which had been given them by the king: to whom also a certain allowance of food was given out of the public stores, and therefore they were not forced to sell their possessions.



47:23. Then Joseph said to the people: Behold, as you see, both you and your lands belong to Pharaoh; take seed and sow the fields,

'''47:24. That you may have corn. The fifth part you shall give to the king; the other four you shall have for seed, and for food for your families and children.'''

47:25. They answered: our life is in your hand; only let my lord look favorably upon us, and we will gladly serve the king.

47:26. From that time unto this day, in the whole land of Egypt, the fifth part is paid to the kings, and it is become as a law, except the land of the priests, which was free from this covenant.

47:27. So Israel dwelt in Egypt, that is, in the land of Gessen, and possessed it; and grew, and was multiplied exceedingly.

47:28. He lived in it seventeen years: and all the days of his life came to a hundred and forty-seven years.

47:29. When he saw that the day of his death drew nigh, he called his son Joseph, and said to him: If I have found favor in your sight put your hand under my thigh; and you shall show me this kindness and truth, not to bury me in Egypt.

'''47:30. But I will sleep with my fathers, and you shall take me away out of this land, and bury me in the burying place of my ancestors. Joseph answered him: I will do what you hast commanded.'''



'''47:31. He said: Swear then to me. As he was swearing, Israel adored God, turning to the bed's head.'''

To the bed's head. . .St. Paul, Heb. 11.21, following the Greek translation of the Septuagint, reads adored the top of his rod. Where note, that the same word in the Hebrew, according to the different pointing of it, signifies both a bed and a rod. To verify both these sentences, we must understand that Jacob leaning on Joseph's rod adored, turning towards the head of his bed: which adoration, inasmuch as it was referred to God, was an absolute and sovereign worship: but inasmuch as it was referred to the rod of Joseph, as a figure of the scepter, that is, of the royal dignity of Christ, was only an inferior and relative honor.

Genesis Chapter 48
Joseph visits his father in his sickness, who adopts his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim, and blesses them, preferring the younger before the elder.

48:1. After these things, it was told Joseph that his father was sick; and he set out to go to him, taking his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim.

'''48:2. It was told the old man: Behold your son Joseph comes to you. Being strengthened, he sat on his bed.'''

48:3. When Joseph was come in to him, he said: God almighty appeared to me at Luza, which is in the land of Canaan, and he blessed me,

48:4. and said: I will cause you to increase and multiply, and I will make of you a multitude of people: and I will give this land to you, and to your seed after you for an everlasting possession.



48:5. So your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you here, shall be mine: Ephraim and Manasseh shall be reputed to me as Reuben and Simeon.

48:6. But the rest whom you shall have after them, shall be yours, and shall be called by the name of their brethren in their possessions.



48:7. For, when I came out of Mesopotamia, Rachel died from me in the land of Canaan in the very journey, and it was spring time: and I was going to Ephrata, and I buried her near the way of Ephrata, which by another name is called Bethlehem.

48:8. Then seeing his sons, he said to him: Who are these?

'''48:9. He answered: They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place. He said: Bring them to me, that I may bless them.'''

'''48:10. For Israel's eyes were dim by reason of his great age, and he could not see clearly. When they were brought to him, he kissed and embraced them,'''

48:11. and said to his son: I am not deprived of seeing you; moreover God has shown me your seed.

48:12. When Joseph had taken them from his father's lap, he bowed down with his face to the ground.

48:13. He set Ephraim on his right hand, that is, towards the left hand of Israel; but Manasseh on his left hand, to wit, towards his father's right hand, and brought them near to him.

48:14. But he, stretching forth his right hand, put it upon the head of Ephraim, the younger brother; and the left upon the head of Manasseh, who was the elder, changing his hands.



48:15. Jacob blessed the sons of Joseph, and said: God, in whose sight my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, God that feedeth me from my youth until this day:

48:16. The angel that delivers me from all evils, bless these boys: and let my name be called upon them, and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.

48:17. Joseph seeing that his father had put his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, was much displeased: and taking his father's hand, he tried to lift it from Ephraim's head, and to remove it to the head of Manasseh.

48:18. He said to his father: It should not be so, my father; for this is the firstborn, put your right hand upon his head.

48:19. But he refusing, said: I know, my son, I know: and this also shall become a people, and shall be multiplied; but his younger brother shall be greater than he; and his seed shall grow into nations.

'''48:20. He blessed them at that time, saying: In you shall Israel be blessed, and it shall be said: God do to you as to Ephraim, and as to Manasseh. He set Ephraim before Manasseh.'''

48:21. He said to Joseph, his son: Behold I die, and God will be with you, and will bring you back into the land of your fathers.

48:22. I give you a portion above your brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorrhite with my sword and bow.

Genesis Chapter 49
Jacob's prophetical blessings of his twelve sons: his death.

49:1. Jacob called his sons, and said to them: Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you the things that shall befall you in the last days.

49:2. Gather yourselves together, and hear, O ye sons of Jacob, hearken to Israel, your father:

49:3. Reuben, my firstborn, you are my strength, and the beginning of my sorrow; excelling in gifts, greater in command.

My strength, etc. . .He calls him his strength, as being born while his father was in his full strength and vigor: he calls him the beginning of his sorrow, because cares and sorrows usually come on with the birth of children. Excelling in gifts, etc., because the firstborn had a title to a double portion, and to have the command over his brethren, which Reuben forfeited by his sin; being poured out as water, that is, spilt and lost.

49:4. You are poured out as water, grow you not; because you went up to your father's bed, and did defile his couch.

Grow you not. . .This was not meant by way of a curse or imprecation; but by way of a prophecy foretelling that the tribe of Reuben should not inherit the pre-eminences usually annexed to the first birthright, viz., the double portion, the being prince or lord over the other brethren, and the priesthood: of which the double portion was given to Joseph, the princely office to Judah, and the priesthood to Levi.

49:5. Simeon and Levi brethren: vessels of iniquity waging war.

49:6. Let not my soul go into their counsel, nor my glory be in their assembly: because in their fury they slew a man, and in their self-will they undermined a wall.

Slew a man,. . .viz., Sichem the son of Hemor, with all his people, Gen. 34.

49:7. Cursed be their fury, because it was stubborn: and their wrath, because it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and will scatter them in Israel.

49:8. Judah, you shall your brethren praise: your hand shall be on the necks of your enemies; the sons of your father shall bow down to you.



49:9. Judah is a lion's whelp: to the prey, my son, you have gone up: resting you have couched as a lion, and as a lioness, who shall rouse him?

A lion's whelp, etc. . .This blessing of Judah foretold the strength of his tribe, the fertility of his inheritance; and principally that the scepter and legislative power should not be utterly taken away from his race until about the time of the coming of Christ: as in effect it never was: which is a demonstration against the modern Jews, that the Messiah is long since come; for the scepter has long since been utterly taken away from Judah.

49:10. The scepter shall not be taken away from Judah, nor a ruler from his thigh, until He comes that is to be sent, and He shall be the expectation of nations.



'''49:11. Tying his foal to the vineyard, and his donkey, O my son, to the vine. He shall wash his robe in wine, and his garment in the blood of the grape.'''

49:12. His eyes are more beautiful than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.



49:13. Zabulon shall dwell on the seashore, and in the road of ships, reaching as far as Sidon.

49:14. Issachar shall be a strong donkey, lying down between the borders.

49:15. He saw rest that it was good: and the land that it was excellent: and he bowed his shoulder to carry, and became a servant under tribute.

49:16. Dan shall judge his people like another tribe in Israel.

Dan shall judge, etc. . .This was verified in Samson, who was of the tribe of Dan, and began to deliver Israel. Judges 13.5. But as this deliverance was but temporal and very imperfect, the holy patriarch (ver. 18) aspires after another kind of deliverer, saying: I will look for Your salvation, O Lord.



49:17. Let Dan be a snake in the way, a serpent in the path, that bites the horse's heels, that his rider may fall backward.

49:18. I will look for Your salvation, O Lord.

49:19. Gad, being girded, shall fight before him: and he himself shall be girded backward.

Gad being girded, etc. . .It seems to allude to the tribe of Gad; when after they had received for their lot the land of Galaad, they marched in arms before the rest of the Israelites, to the conquest of the land of Canaan: from whence they afterwards returned loaded with spoils. See Jos. 4. and 12.

49:20. Asher, his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield dainties to kings.

49:21. Nephthali, a hart let loose, and giving words of beauty.



49:22. Joseph is a growing son, a growing son and comely to behold: the daughters run to and fro upon the wall;

Run to and fro, etc. . .To behold his beauty; whilst his envious brethren turned their darts against him, etc.

49:23. But they that held darts, provoked him, and quarreled with him, and envied him.

49:24. His bow rested upon the strong, and the bands of his arms and his hands were loosed, by the hands of the mighty one of Jacob: thence he came forth a pastor, the stone of Israel.

His bow rested upon the strong, etc. . .That is, upon God, who was his strength: who also loosed his bands, and brought him out of prison to be the pastor, that is, the feeder and ruler of Egypt, and the stone, that is, the rock and support of Israel.

49:25. The God of your father shall be your helper, and the Almighty shall bless you with the blessings of heaven above, with the blessings of the deep that lie beneath, with the blessings of the womb.

49:26. The blessings of your father are strengthened with the blessings of his fathers: until the desire of the everlasting hills should come: may they be upon the head of Joseph, and upon the crown of the Nazarite among his brethren.

The blessings of your father, etc. . .That is, your father's blessings are made more prevalent and effectual in your regard, by the additional strength they receive from his inheriting the blessings of his progenitors Abraham and Isaac. The desire of the everlasting hills, etc. . .These blessings all looked forward towards Christ, called the desire of the everlasting hills, as being longed for, as it were, by the whole creation. Mystically, the patriarchs and prophets are called the everlasting hills, by reason of the eminence of their wisdom and holiness. The Nazarite. . .This word signifies one separated; and agrees to Joseph, as being separated from, and more eminent than, his brethren. As the ancient Nazarites were so called from their being set aside for God, and vowed to him.



49:27. Benjamin a ravenous wolf, in the morning shall eat the prey, and in the evening shall divide the spoil.

49:28. All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: these things their father spoke to them, and he blessed every one with their proper blessings.

49:29. He charged them, saying: I am now going to be gathered to my people: bury me with my fathers in the double cave, which is in the field of Ephron the Hethite,

To be gathered to my people. . .That is, I am going to die, and so to follow my ancestors that are gone before me, and to join their company in another world.



49:30. Over against Mambre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought together with the field, of Ephron the Hethite, for a possession to bury in.

49:31. There they buried him, and Sara his wife: there was Isaac buried with Rebecca, his wife: there also Leah lies buried.

49:32. When he had ended the commandments, wherewith he instructed his sons, he drew up his feet upon the bed, and died: and he was gathered to his people.

Genesis Chapter 50
'The mourning for Jacob, and his interment. Joseph's kindness towards his brethren. His death.'

50:1. When Joseph saw this, he fell upon his father's face, weeping and kissing him.

50:2. He commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father.

50:3. While they were fulfilling his commands, there passed forty days: for this was the manner with bodies that were embalmed, and Egypt mourned for him seventy days.



50:4. The time of the mourning being expired, Joseph spoke to the family of Pharaoh: If I have found favor in your sight, speak in the ears of Pharaoh:

'''50:5. For my father made me swear to him, saying: Behold I die; you shall bury me in my sepulchre which I have dug for myself in the land of Canaan. So I will go up and bury my father, and return.'''

50:6. Pharaoh said to him: Go up and bury your father according to your oath to him.

50:7. So he went up, and there went with him all the ancients of Pharaoh's house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt.



50:8. The house of Joseph with his brethren, except their children, and their flocks and herds, which they left in the land of Gessen.

50:9. He had also in his train chariots and horsemen: and it was a great company.



50:10. They came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is situated beyond the Jordan: where celebrating the exequies with a great and vehement lamentation, they spent full seven days.

'''50:11. When the inhabitants of Canaan saw this, they said: This is a great mourning to the Egyptians. Therefore the name of that place was called, The mourning of Egypt.'''

50:12. So the sons of Jacob did as he had commanded them.

50:13. Carrying him into the land of Canaan, they buried him in the double cave, which Abraham had bought together with the field for a possession of a burying place, of Ehpron, the Hethite, over against Mambre.

50:14. Joseph returned into Egypt with his brethren, and all that were in his company, after he had buried his father.

50:15. Now he being dead, his brethren were afraid, and talked one with another: Lest perhaps he should remember the wrong he suffered, and requite us all the evil that we did to him.

50:16. They sent a message to him, saying: Your father commanded us before he died,

'''50:17. That we should say thus much to you from him: I beseech you to forget the wickedness of your brethren, and the sin and malice they practiced against you: we also pray you, to forgive the servants of the God of your father this wickedness. When Joseph heard this, he wept.'''



50:18. His brethren came to him; and worshiping prostrate on the ground, they said: We are your servants.

50:19. He answered them: Fear not: can we resist the will of God?

50:20. You thought evil against me: but God turned it into good, that he might exalt me, as at present you see, and might save many people.

'''50:21. Fear not: I will feed you and your children. He comforted them, and spoke gently and mildly.'''

'''50:22. He dwelt in Egypt with all his father's house; and lived a hundred and ten years. He saw the children of Ephraim to the third generation. The children also of Machir, the sons of Manasseh, were born on Joseph's knees.'''



50:23. After which he told his brethren: God will visit you after my death, and will make you go up out of this land, to the land which he swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

50:24. He made them swear to him, saying: God will visit you, carry my bones with you out of this place:

'''50:25. and he died, being a hundred and ten years old. Being embalmed, he was laid in a coffin in Egypt.'''

Click here for Chapters 1 - 25 of the Book of Genesis. Click here for Chapters 26 - 34 of the Book of Genesis.