CHAP. III. had his Brethren under his Power. venge themselves, to be dissuaded from doing it. so, since the sentence for killing their brother had prevailed, he said that they would not how ever be so grossly guilty, if they would be persuaded to follow his present advice, which would include what they were so eager about, but was not so very bad, but in the distress they were in, of a lighter nature. He begged of them there fore not to kill their brother with their own hands, but to cast him into the pit that was hard by, and so to let him die: by which they would gain so much that they would not defile their own hands with his blood. To this the young men readily agreed so Reubel took the lad, and tied him with a cord, and let him down gently into the pit, for it had no water at all in it; who, when he had done this, went his way to seek for such pasturage as was fit for feeding their flocks. 3. But Judas, being one of Jacob's sons also, seeing some Arabians, of the posterity of Ismael carrying spices and Syrian wares out of the land of Gilead to the Egyptians, after Reubel was gone, advised his brethren to draw Joseph out of the pit, and sell him to the Arabians; for if he should die among strangers a great way off, they should be freed from this barbarous action. This, therefore, was resolved on; so they drew Joseph up out of the pit, and sold him to the merchants for twenty pounds. He was now seven teen years old. But Reubel, coming in the night time to the pit, resolved to save Joseph, without the privity of his brethren; and when upon his calling to him he made no answer, he was afraid that they had destroyed him after he was gone; of which he complained to his brethren; but when they had told him what they had done, Reubel left off his mourning. and used entreaties to them, and thereby endeayoured to divert them from the murder of their brother. But when he saw that his discourse had not mollified them at all, and that they made haste to do the fact, he advised them to alleviate the wickedness they were going about in the 1. Now these brethren rejoiced as soon as manner of taking Joseph off; for as he had exthey saw their brother coming to them, not in-horted them first, when they were going to redeed as at the presence of a near relation, or as at the presence of one sent by their father, but as at the presence of an enemy, and one that v Divine Providence was delivered into their hands; and they already resolved to kill him, and not let slip the opportunity that lay before them. But when Reubel, the eldest of them, saw them thus disposed, and that they had agreed together to execute their purpose, he tried to restrain them, showing them the heinous enterprise they were going about, and the horrid nature of it; that this action would appear wicked in the sight of God, and impious before men, even though they should kill one not related to them, but much more flagitious and detestable to appear to have slain their own brother; by which act the father must be treated unjustly in the son's slaughter, and the mother* also be in perplexity while she laments that her son is taken away from her, and this not in a natural way neither. So he entreated them to have a regard to their own consciences, and wisely to consider what mischief would betide them upon the death of so good a child, and their youngest brother; that they would also fear God, who was already both a spectator and a witness of the designs they had against their brother; that he would love them if they abstained from this act, and yielded to repentance and amendment; but in case they proceeded to do the fact, all sorts of punishments would overtake them from God for this murder of their brother, since they polluted his providence, which was every where present, and which did not overlook what was done, either in deserts or in cities; for wheresoever a man is, there ought he to suppose that God is also. He told them farther, that their consciences would be their enemies, if they attempted to go through 4. When Joseph's brethren had done this to so wicked an enterprise, which they can never him, they considered what they should do to esavoid, whether it be a good conscience, or whe-cape the suspicions of their father. Now they ther it be such a one as they will have within them when once they have killed their brother. He also added this besides to what he had before said, that it was not a righteous thing to kill a brother, though he had injured them; that it is a good thing to forget the actions of such near friends, even in things wherein they might seem to have offended; but that they were going to kill Joseph, who had been guilty of nothing that was ill towards them, in whose case the infirmity of his small age should rather procure him mercy, and move them to unite together in the care of his preservation. That the cause of killing him made the act itself much worse, while they determined to take him off out of envy at his future prosperity; an equal share of which they would naturally partake while he enjoyed it, since they were to him not strangers, but the nearest relations, for they might reckon upon what God bestowed upon Joseph as their own; and that it was fit for them to believe that the anger of God would for this cause be more severe upon them, if they slew him who was judged by God to be worthy of that prosperity which was to be hoped for; and while, by murdering him, they made it impossible for God to bestow it upon him. had taken away from Joseph the coat which he had on when he came to them, at the time they let him down into the pit; so they thought proper to tear that coat to pieces, and to dip it into goat's blood, and then to carry it and show it to their father, that he might believe he was destroyed by wild beasts. And when they had so done, they came to the old man, but this not till what had happened to his son had already come to his knowledge. Then they said that they had not seen Joseph, nor knew what mishap had be. fallen him, but that they had found his coat bloody and torn to pieces, whence they had a suspicion that he had fallen among wild beasts, and so perished, if that was the coat he had on when he came from home. Now Jacob had before some better hopes that his son was only made a captive; but now he laid aside that notion, and supposed that this coat was an evident argument that he was dead, for he well remembered that this was the coat he had on when he sent him to his brethren; so he hereafter lamented the lad as now dead, and as if he had been the father of no more than one, without taking any comfort in the rest; and so he was also affected with his misfortune before he met with Joseph's brethren, when he also conjectured that Joseph was de2. Reubel said these, and many other things,stroyed by wild beasts. He sat down also clothed We may here observe, that in correspondence to Joseph's second dream, which implied that his mother, who was then alive, as well as his father, should come and bow down to him, Josephus represents her here as still aliye after she was dead, for the decorum of the dream that foretold it, as the interpretation of that dream does also in all our copies, Gen. xxxvii. 10. The Septuagint have twenty pieces of gold; the Testament of Gad, 30; the Hebrew and Samaritan, 20, of ajl ver; and the vulgar Latin, 30. What was the true number and true sum, cannot therefore now be known. in sackcloth, and in heavy affliction, insomuch that he found no ease when his sons comforted him, neither did his pains remit by length of time. CHAP. IV. Concerning the signal Chastity of Joseph. § 1. Now Potiphar, an Egyptian, who was chief cook to king Pharaoh, bought Joseph of the merchants, who sold him to him. He had him in the greatest honour, and taught him the learning that became a free man, and gave him leave to make use of a diet better than was allotted to slaves. He intrusted also the care of his house to him. So he enjoyed these advantages; yet did not he leave that virtue which he had before, upon such a change of his condition, but he demonstrated that wisdom was able to govern the uneasy passions of life, in such as have it in reality, and do not only put it on for a show, under a present state of prosperity. have still greater advantages; but that he must look for revenge and hatred from her, in case he rejected her desires, and preferred the reputation of chastity before his mistress; for that he would gain nothing by such procedure, because she would then become his accuser, and would falsely pretend to her husband that be attempted her chastity; and that Potiphar would hearken to her words rather than to his, let his be ever so agreeable to the truth. 4. When the woman had said thus, and even with tears in her eyes, neither did pity dissuade Joseph from his chastity, nor did fear compel him to a compliance with her; but he opposed her solicitations, and did not yield to her threatenings, and was afraid to do an ill thing; and chose to undergo the sharpest punishment, rather than to enjoy his present advantages, by doing what his own conscience knew would justly deserve that he should die for it. He also put her in mind that she was a married woman, and that she 2. For when his master's wife was fallen in ought to cohabit with her husband only; and love with him, both on account of his beauty of desired her to suffer these considerations to have body and his dexterous management of affairs, more weight with her than the short pleasure of and supposed, that if she should make it known || lustful dalliance, which would bring her to reto him, she should easily persuade him to comepentance afterward; would cause trouble to her, and lie with her, and that he would look on it as and yet would not amend what had been done a piece of happy fortune that his mistress should amiss. He also suggested to her the fear she entreat him, as regarding that state of slavery would be in, lest they should be caught; and he was in, and not his moral character, which that the advantage of concealment was uncertain, continued after his condition was changed. So and that only while the wickedness was not she made known her naughty inclinations, and known [would there be any quiet for them;] but spake to him about lying with her. However, that she might have the enjoyment of her hushe rejected her entreaties, not thinking it agreea-band's company without any danger: And he ble to religion to yield so far to her as to do what would tend to the affront and injury of him that purchased him, and had vouchsafed him so great honours. He, on the contrary, exhorted her to govern that passion, and laid before her the impossibility of her obtaining her desires, which he thought might be conquered, if she had no hope of succeeding: and he said. that as to himself, he would endure any thing whatever before he would be persuaded to it; for although it was fit for a slave, as he was, to do nothing contrary to his mistress, he might well be excused in a case where the contradiction was to such sort of commands only. But this opposition of Joseph's. when she did not expect it, made her still more violent in her love to him; and she was sorely beset with this naughty passion, so she resolved to compass her design by a second attempt. told her, that in the company of her husband she might have great boldness, from a good conscience, both before God and before men. Nay, that she would act better like his mistress, and make use of her authority over him better, while she persisted in her chastity, than when they were both ashamed for what wickedness they had been guilty of; and that it is much better to depend on a good life, well acted, and known to have been so, than upon the hopes of the concealment of evil practices. 5. Joseph, by saying this, and more, tried to restrain the violent passion of the woman, and to reduce her affection within the rules of reason; but she grew more ungovernable and earnest in the matter, and since she despaired of persua ding him, she laid her hands upon him, and had a mind to force him. But as soon as Joseph had 3. When therefore there was a public festival got away from her anger, leaving also his garcoming on, in which it was the custom for women ment with her, for he left that to her, and leaped to come to the public solemnity, she pretended to out of her chamber, she was greatly afraid lest her husband that she was sick, as contriving an he should discover her lewdness to her husband, opportunity for solitude and leisure, that she and greatly troubled at the affront he had offered might entreat Joseph again. Which opportunity her, so she resolved to be beforehand with him, being obtained, she used more kind words to him and to accuse Joseph falsely to Potiphar, and by than before; and said, that it had been good for that means to revenge herself on him for his him to have yielded to her first solicitation, and pride and contempt of her; and she thought it a to have given her no repulse, both because of the wise thing in itself, and also becoming a woman, reverence he ought to bear to her dignity who thus to prevent his accusation. Accordingly she solicited him, and because of the vehemency of sat sorrowful and in confusion, framing herself her passion, by which she was forced, though so hypocritically and angrily, that the sorrow, she were his mistress, to condescend beneath her which was really for her being disappointed of dignity; but that he may now. by taking more her lust, might appear to be for the attempt upon prudent advice, wipe off the imputation of his her chastity; so that when her husband came former folly; for whether it were, that he expect-home, and was disturbed at the sight of her, and ed the repetition of her solicitations, she had now inquired what was the cause of the disorder she made it, and that with greater earnestness than was in, she began to accuse Joseph: and, "O before, for that she had pretended sickness on husband," said she, "mayest thou not live a day this very account, and had preferred his conver-longer, if thou dost not punish the wicked slave sation before the festival and its solemnity; or whether he opposed her former discourses, as not believing she could be in earnest, she now gave him sufficient security, by thus repeating her application, that she meant not in the least by fraud to impose upon him; and assured him, that if he complied with her affections, he might expect the enjoyment of the advantages he already had, and if he were submissive to her, he should who has desired to defile thy bed; who has neither minded who he was when he came to our house, so as to behave himself with modesty ; nor has he been mindful of what favours he had received from thy bounty (as he must be an ungrateful man indeed, unless he in every re spect carry himself in a manner agreeable to us;) this man, I say, laid a private design to abuse thy wife, and this at the time of a festival, observ of his misfortunes, thou wilt learn what thy dreams | so much as would be sufficient for their food. signify. So the king commanded that they should Accordingly Pharaoh, being surprised at Joseph, bring Joseph into his presence; and those who not only for his interpretation of the dream, but received the command came and brought him for the counsel he had given him, intrusted him with them, having taken care of his habit, that it with dispensing the corn, with power to do what might be decent, as the king had enjoined them he thought would be for the benefit of the peo to do. ple of Egypt, and for the benefit of the king, as 5. But the king took him by the hand; and, “O|| believing that he who first discovered this method young man," says he, "for my servant bears of acting would prove the best overseer of it. witness that thou art at present the best and But Joseph having this power given him by the most skilful person I can consult with, vouchsafe king, with leave to make use of his seal, and to me the same favours which thou bestowedst on wear purple, drove in his chariot through all the this servant of mine, and tell me what events land of Egypt, and took the corn of the husbandthey are which the visions of my dreams fore- men,* allotting as much to every one as would be show; and I desire thee to suppress nothing out sufficient for seed and for food, but without disof fear, nor to flatter me with lying words, or covering to any one the reason why he did so. with what may please me, although the truth should be of a melancholy nature. For it seemed to me that, as I walked by the river, f saw kine fat and very large, seven in number, going CHAP. VI. How Joseph, when he was become famous in Egypt, had his Brethren in Subjection. 1. JOSEPH was now grown up to thirty years of age, and enjoyed great honours from the king, who called him Psothom Phanech, out of regard to his prodigious degree of wisdom; for that name denotes the revealer of secrets. He also married a wife of very high quality; for he mar ried the daughter of Petephres, oue of the priests of Heliopolis; she was a virgin, and her name was Asenath. By her he had children before the scarcity came on, Manasseh, the elder, which signifies forgetful, because his present happiness made him forget his former misfor tunes: and Ephraim, the younger, which signifies restored, because he was restored to the freedom of his forefathers. Now, after Egypt had happily passed over seven years, according to Joseph's interpretation of the dreams, the famine came upon them in the eighth year; and because this misfortune fell upon them when they had no sense of it beforehand, they were all sorely af flicted by it, and came running to the king's gates; and he called upon Joseph, who sold the corn to them, being become confessedly a saviour to the whole multitude of the Egyptians. Nor did he open this market of corn for the people of that country only, but strangers had liberty to buy also, Joseph being willing that all men, who are naturally akin to one another, should have assistance from those that lived in happiness. from the river to the marshes; and other kine, of the same number like them, met them out of the marshes, exceeding lean and ill favoured, which ate up the fat and the large kine, and yet were no better than before, and not less miserably pinched with famine. After I had seen this vision, I awaked out of my sleep; and being in disorder, and considering with myself what this appearance should be, I fell asleep again and saw another dream, much more wonderful than the foregoing, which still did more affright and disturb me : saw seven ears of corn growing out of one root, having their heads borne down by the weight of the grains, and bending down with the fruit, which was now ripe, and fit for reaping; and near these I saw seven other ears of corn, meagre and weak for want of rain, which fell to eating and consuming those that were fit for reaping, and put me into great astonishment. 6. To which Joseph replied: "This dream," said he, "O king, althoughi seen under two forms, signifies one and the same event of things; for when thou sawest the kine, which is an animal made for the plough and for labour, devoured by the worse kine, and the ears of corn eaten up by the smaller ears, they foretell a famine, and want of the fruits of the earth, for the same number of years, and equal with those when Egypt was in a happy state; and this so far, that the plenty of these years will be spent in the same number of years of scarcity, and that scarcity of neces- 2. Now Jaccb also, when he understood that sary provisions will be very difficult to be cor- foreigners might come, sent all his sons into rected; as a sign whereof, the ill-favoured kine, Egypt to buy corn; for the land of Canaan was when they had devoured the better sort, could grievously afflicted with the famine; and this not be satisfied. But still God foreshows what great misery touched the whole continent. is to come upon men, not to grieve them, but that only retained Benjamin, who was born to him by when they know it beforehand, they may by pru-|| Rachel, and was of the same mother with Joseph. dence make the actual experience of what is fore- These sons of Jacob then came into Egypt, and told the more tolerable. If thou, therefore, care-applied themselves to Joseph, wanting to buy fully dispose of the plentiful crops which will come corn; for nothing of this kind was done without in the former years, thou wilt procure that the his approbation, since even then only was the future calamity will not be felt by the Egyptians." honour that was paid the king himself advanta 7. Hereupon the king wondered at the discre-geous to the person that paid it, when they took tion and wisdom of Joseph; and asked him by what means he might so dispense the foregoing plentiful crops, in the happy years, as to make the miserable crops more tolerable. Joseph then added this his advice: To spare the good crops, and not permit the Egyptians to spend them luxuriously, but to reserve what they would have spent in luxury beyond their necessity, against the time of want. He also exhorted him to take the corn of the husbandinen, and give them only * That is, bought it for Pharaoh at a very low price. This Potiphar. or as in Josephus, Petephres, who was now a priest of On, or Heliopolis, is the same name in Josephus, and perhaps in Moses also, with him who is before called the head cook, or captain of the guard, and to whom Joseph was sold, see Gen. xxxii. 36; xxxix. 1; with xli. 50. They are also affirmed to be one and the same persou in the Testament of Joseph, sect. 1, for he is there said to bave married the daughter of his master and mi-tress. He care to honour Joseph also. Now when he well knew his brethren, they thought nothing of him; for he was but a youth when he left them, and was now come to an age so much greater that the lineaments of his face were changed, and he was not known by them; besides this, the greatness of the dignity wherein he appeared suffered them not so much as to suspect it was he. He now made trial what sentiments they had about affairs of the greatest consequence; for he refuNor is this a notion peculiar to that Testament; but, as Dr. Bernard confesses, note on Antiq. b. ii. chap. iv. sect. 1, common to Josephus, to the Septuagint interpreters, and to other learned Jews of old! tinie. This entire ignorance of the Egyptians of these years of famine before they came, told us before as well as here, chap. v. seet. 7, by Josephus, seems to be almost incredi It is in no other copy that I know of. ble. ing when thou wouldst be absent. So that it that thou didst squeeze this wine from three now is clear, that his modesty, as it appeared to clusters of grapes with thine hands, and that the be formerly, was only because of the restraint king received it; know, therefore, that this vision he was in out of fear of thee, but that he was is for thy good, and foretells a release from thy not really of a good disposition. This has been present distress, within the same number of days occasioned by his being advanced to honour as the branches had whence thou gatheredst thy beyond what he deserved, and what he hoped for,|| grapes in thy sleep. However, remember what insomuch that he concluded, that he who was prosperity I have foretold thee when thou hast deemned fit to be trusted with thy estate, and the found it true by experience: and when thou art government of thy family, and was preferred in authority, do not overlook us in this prison, above thy eldest servants, might be allowed to wherein thou wilt leave us, when thou art gons touch thy wife also." Thus when she had ended to the place we have foretold; for we are not in her discourse, she showed him his garment, as prison for any crime, but for the sake of our virif he then left it with her when he attempted to tue and sobriety are we condemned to suffer the force her. But Potiphar, not being able to dis- penalty of malefactors, and because we are not believe what his wife's tears showed, and what willing to injure him that has thus distressed us, his wife said, and what he saw himself, and being though it were for our own pleasure. The cup. seduced by his love to his wife, did not set him-bearer, therefore, as was natural to do, rejoiced self about the examination of the truth, but taking it for granted that his wife was a modest woman, and condemning Joseph as a wicked man, he threw him into the malefactors' prison; and had a still higher opinion of his wife, and bare her witness, that she was a woman of a becoming modesty and chastity. CHAP. V. What things befell Joseph in Prison. to hear such an interpretation of his dream, and waited the completion of what had been thus showed him beforehand. 3. But another servant there was of the king's, who had been chief baker, and was now bound in prison with the cupbearer; he also was in good hope, upon Joseph's interpretation of the other's vision, for he had seen a dream also; so he desired that Joseph would tell him what the visions he had seen the night before might mean. They were these that follow: "Methought," says ne, 1. Now Joseph, commending all his affairs "I carried three baskets upon my head, two to God, did not betake himself to make his de- were full of loaves, and the third full of sweet fence, nor to give an account of the circumstan- meats and other eatables, such as are prepared ces of the fact, but silently underwent the bonds for kings; but that the fowls came flying, and ate and the distress he was in, firmly believing them all up, and had no regard to my attempt to that God, who knew the cause of his affliction, drive them away." And he expected a prediction and the truth of the fact, would be more power-like to that of the cupbearer. But Joseph, conful than those that inflicted the punishments sidering and reasoning about the dream, said to upon him; a proof of whose providence he quick-him, That he would willingly be an interpreter ly received; for the keeper of the prison, taking of good events to him, and not of such as his notice of his care and fidelity in the affairs he dream denounced to him: but he told him that he had set him about, and the dignity of his coun-had only three days in all to live, for that the tenance, relaxed his bonds, and thereby made [three] baskets signify, that on the third day he his heavy calamity lighter and more supportable should be crucified and devoured by fowls, while to him; he also permitted him to make use of a he was not able to help himself. Now, both these diet better than that of the rest of the prisoners. dreams had the same several events that Joseph Now his fellow-prisoners, when their hard la- foretold they should have, and this to both the bours were over, fell to discoursing one among parties; for on the third day before mentionanother, as is usual in such as are equal suffer-ed, when the king solemnized his birthday, he ers, and to inquire one of another, what were crucified the chief baker, but set the butler free the occasions of their being condemned to a pri- from his bonds, and restored him to his former son. Among them the king's cupbearer, and ministration. one that had been respected by him, was put in 4. But God freed Joseph from his confinement bonds upon the king's anger at him. This man after he had endured his bonds two years, and was under the same bonds with Joseph, and grew had received no assistance from the cupbearer, more familiar with him; and upon his observing who did not remember what he had said to him that Joseph had a better understanding than the formerly; and God contrived this method of derest had, he told him of a dream he had, and de-liverance for him. Pharaoh the king had seen sired he would interpret its meaning; complain-in his sleep the same evening two visions, and ing that, besides the afflictions he underwent after them had the interpretations of them both from the king, God did also add to him trouble given him. He had forgotten the latter, but refrom his dreams. tamed that of the dreams themselves. Being therefore troubled at what he had seen, for it seemed to him to be all of a melancholy nature, the next day he called together the wisest men among the Egyptians, desiring to learn from them the interpretation of his dreams. But when they hesitated about them, the king was so much the more disturbed. And now it was that the memory of Joseph, and his skill in dreams, came into the mind of the king's cupbearer, when he saw the confusion that Pharaoh was in; so he came and mentioned Joseph to him, as also the vision he had seen in prison, and how the event proved as he had said; as also, that the chief baker was crucified on the very same day; and that this also happened to him, according to the interpretation of Joseph. That Joseph himself was laid in bonds by Potiphar, who was his head cook, as a slave; but he said he was one of the noblest of the stock of the Hebrews; and said further, his father lived in great splendour. If therefore thou wilt send for him, and not despise him on the score 2. He therefore said, That in his sleep he saw three clusters of grapes hanging upon three branches of a vine, large already and ripe for gathering, and that he squeezed them into a cup, which the king held in his hand; and when he had strained the wine, he gave it to the king to drink, and that he received it from him with a pleasant countenance. This, he said, was what he saw; and he desired Joseph, that if he had any portion of understanding in such matters, he would tell him what this vision foretold: who bid him be of good cheer, and expect to be loosed from his bonds in three days' time, because the king desired his service, and was about to restore him to it again; for he let him know that God bestows the fruit of the vine upon men for good; which wine is poured out to him, and is the pledge of fidelity and mutual confidence among men; and puts an end to their quarrels, takes away passion and grief out of the minds of them that use it, and makes them cheerful. Thou sayest sed to sell them corn, and said they were come || pentance, whence no profit arose to Joseph; and as spies of the king's affairs; and that they came earnestly exhorted them to bear with patience from several countries, and joined themselves whatever they suffered, since it was done by together, and pretended that they were of kin, it|| God in way of punishment on his account. Thus not being possible that a private man should they spake to one another, not imagining that breed up so many sons, and those of so great Joseph understood their language. A general beauty of countenance as they were; such an sadness also seized on them at Reubel's words, education of so many children being not easily and a repentance for what they had done; and obtained by kings themselves. Now this he did they condemned the wickedness they had perpein order to discover what concerned his father, trated, for which they judged they were justly and what happened to him after his own depar- punished by God. Now when Joseph saw that ture from him, and as desiring to know what was they were in this distress, he was so affected at become of Benjamin his brother; for he was it that he fell into tears, and not being willing afraid that they had ventured on the like wicked that they should take notice of him, he retired: enterprise against him that they had done to him- and after a while came to them again, and taking self, and had taken him off also. Symeon, in order to his being a pledge for his 3. Now these brethren of his were under dis-brethren's return, he bid them take the corn traction and terror, and thought that very great they had bought, and go their way. He also danger hung over them; yet not at all reflecting commanded his steward privily to put the money upon their brother Joseph; and standing firm un- which they had brought with them for the purder the accusations laid against them, they made chase of corn into their sacks, and to dismiss their defence by Reubel, the eldest of them, who them therewith, who did what he was command now became their spokesman: "We come noted to do. hither," said he, "with any unjust design, nor in 5. Now when Jacob's sons were come into the order to bring any harm to the king's affairs; we land of Canaan, they told their father what had only want to be preserved, as supposing your hu-happened to them in Egypt, and that they were manity might be a refuge for us from the mise- taken to have come thither as spies upon the ries which our country labours under, we having king; and how they said they were brethren, and heard that you proposed to sell corn, not only to had left their eleventh brother with their father, your own countrymen, but to strangers also, and but were not believed; and how they had left that you determined to allow that corn in order Symeon with the governor, until Benjamin to preserve all that want it; but that we are bre- should go thither, and be a testimonial of the thren, and of the same common blood, the pecu- truth of what they had said. And they begged liar lineaments of our faeus, and those not so of their father to fear nothing, but to send the much different from one another, plainly show.lad along with them. But Jacob was not pleased Our father's name is Jacob, a Hebrew man, who with any thing his sons had done, and he took had twelve of us for his sons by four wives; the detention of Symeon heinously, and thence which twelve of us, while we were all alive, were a thought it a foolish thing to give up Benjamin happy family; but when one of our brethren, also. Neither did he yield to Reubel's persuawhose name was Joseph, died, our affairs chan- sion, though he begged it of him; and gave ged for the worse; for our father could not for- leave that the grandfather might, in way of rebear to make a long lamentation for him, and we quital, kill his own sons, in case any harm came are in affliction, both by the calamity of the death to Benjamin in the journey. So they were disof our brother, and the miserable state of our tressed, and knew not what to do. Nay, there aged father. We are now therefore come to buy was another accident that still disturbed them corn, having intrusted the care of our father, and more, the money that was found hidden in their the provision for our family, to Benjamin, our sacks of corn. Yet when the corn they had youngest brother; and if thou sendest to our brought failed them, and when the famine still house, thou mayest learn whether we are guilty afflicted them, and necessity forced them, Jacob of the least falsehood in what we say." did [notf] still resolve to send Benjamin with his 4. And thus did Reubel endeavour to persuade brethren, although there was no returning into Joseph to have a better opinion of them. But Egypt unless they came with what they had prowhen he had learned from them that Jacob was alive, and that his brother was not destroyed by worse, and his sons begging it of him, he had no mised. Now, the misery growing every day them, he for the present put them in prison, as other course to take in his present circumstanintending to examine more into their affairs when he should be at leisure. But on the third other occasions, spake his mind very freely to ces. And Judas, who was of a bold temper upon day he brought them out, and said to them, him: "That it did not become him to be afraid "That since you constantly affirm that you are not come to do any harm to the king's affairs; as he did; for nothing could be done to his son on account of his son, nor to suspect the worst, that you are brethren, and the sons of the father but by the appointment of God, which must also whom you named, you will satisfy me of the for certain come to pass though he were at home truth of what you say, if you leave one of your with him; that he ought not to condemn them company with me, who shall suffer no injury to such manifest destruction; nor deprive them here; and if, when ye have carried corn to your father, you will come to me again, and bring of that plenty of food they might have from your brother, whom you say you left there along Pharaoh, by his unreasonable fear about his son with you: for this shall be by me esteemed an Benjamin, but ought to take care of the preserassurance of the truth of what you have told vation of Symeon, lest by attempting to hinder me." Hereupon they were in greater grief than Benjamin's journey, Symeon should perish. He before; they wept, and perpetually deplored one exhorted him to trust God for him, and said he among another the calamity of Joseph; and said, would either bring his son back to him safe, or, "They were fallen into this misery as a punish-together with his, lose his own life." So that ment inflicted by God for what evil contrivances Jacob was at length persuaded, and delivered they had against him." And Reubel was large Benjamin to them, with the price of the corn in his reproaches of them for their too late re-doubled; he also sent presents to Joseph, of the fruits of the land of Canaan, balsam, and rosin * The reason why Symeon might be selected out of the rest for Joseph's prisoner, is plain in the Testament of particle is here wanting which I have supplied in brackets, Symeon, viz. that he was one of the bitterest of all Jo-and I wonder none have hitherto suspected it ought to be seph's brethren against him, sect. 2, which appears also in supplied. part by the Testament of Zabulon, sect. 3. The coherence seems to me to show, that the negative Of the precious balsam of Judea, and the turpentine, see the note on Antiq. B. viii. chap. vi. sect. 6 |