How his brothers

treated him.

Henceforth they nicknamed

him the dreamer; and at length their envy became so masterless, that they cast him into a pit to die of starvation.

What became

of him then.

Some Arabian merchants happened at the moment to be passing by, so they changed their first intention, drew him out, and sold him for a slave. Joseph's age at the time was 17 years. (B.C. 1724.)

What they told

their father.

When they returned home at night, the young men told their father that Joseph had been devoured of wild beasts, and that they had picked up his coat in the way, all covered with blood.

How Jacob was Jacob was greatly grieved,

affected.

rent his clothes, put on sackcloth, and wept for Joseph many days, saying: "I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning!"

Section II.

JOSEPH IN EGYPT.

B.C. 1724-1631.

GENESIS XXXIX.-L.

was taken.

Where Joseph The merchants took Joseph to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh's guard.

'Josephus says: The title of Pharaoh was applied to all the kings of Egypt, from Menés to the time of Solomon, but not afterwards. The word signifies a king."

served him.

How long he He served him faithfully for 10 years, when being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, he was cast into prison. (B.c. 1724.)

How he behaved

in the prison.

He behaved so well in prison, that the keeper confided to him all the prisoners. He also obtained great honour by interpreting two dreams.

Who dreamt

the dreams.

These dreams occurred to two

of the king's servants-his chief butler and chief baker.

What the but- The chief butler saw in his

ler dreamt.

[A.M. 2289.

dream a vine with three branches full

of grapes; he plucked the grapes, and having pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, handed it to the king.

What this dream

rueant.

Joseph told the butler that the three branches meant three days, within which time Pharaoh would restore him to his office again.

What Pharaoh's baker dreamt.

The king's baker dreamt: he was carrying on his head three baskets, the uppermost of which was filled with bakements; presently, the birds of the air pounced upon the meats and devoured them.

What this dream

meant.

Joseph said the three baskets

were also three days, within which period the baker would be hanged on a tree, and his carcase become the ravin of birds of prey.

The interpretations correct.

Both these interpretations proved correct: and after two years, Joseph was taken out of prison to interpret two dreams which perplexed the king himself. (B.c. 1715.)

A.C. 1711.]

His first dream.

Pharaoh first dreamt: he was standing on the banks of the Nile, when there arose before him seven fat kine. Whilst he was still admiring their sleekness; lo! seven lean beasts made their appearance, fell on the fat ones, and devoured them.

dream.

His second In his next dream, he imagined he was in a corn-field, looking with delight at seven full ears of corn on one stalk. While he was thus employed, there sprung up suddenly seven thin and blighted ears, which utterly destroyed the full ones.

meant.

What these dreams Joseph said these dreams were sent as a warning to the king; for there would come to Egypt seven years of plenty, which would be succeeded by seven grievous years of famine, during which time all the land would be consumed.

What advice he

gave the king.

He then advised the king to provide against the calamity during the years of plenty, and appoint trusty men to superintend bis granaries.

G 3

appointed.

Whom the king Pharaoh appointed Joseph to the office; made him viceroy of all Egypt; gave him the royal signet ring; and placed on him a robe of fine linen, and a chain of gold.

Whom he married.

At the king's request he married the daughter of the priest of On, the highest officer in Egypt except the king.

On or Aun (light), called by the Greeks Heliopolis (the city of the sun), was the residence of an order of priests devoted to the worship of the sun.

Joseph's son. By this lady he had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, who afterwards became the joint representatives of the tribe of Joseph.

How Joseph acted in his high office.

While viceroy of Egypt, Joseph acted with such great judgment, that when the famine came, he had corn enough even for exportation. What he took He at first took money as a

for corn.

price for corn; when this was exhausted, he bartered it for land and goods; and when these also were exhausted, the Egyptians sold themselves.