Joseph (I)

I. JOSEPH, the son of Jacob and Rachel, and brother to Benjamin, was born in Gen. xxx. 22, 23, 24.Mesopotamia, in the year of the world 2256, before J. C. 1741, before the vulgar Æra 1745. Joseph was favoured by God from his youth, with revelations and prophetick dreams. His father Jacob, who begat him in his old age, loved him more tenderly than his other sons, and made him a coat of divers colours. His brothers observing these little marks of affection, grew jealous of him; and Joseph, without thinking of it, still farther encreased these evil dispositions, by accusing his brothers of some enormous crime¹, or by speaking to their disadvantage, and reporting the wicked discourses which they had together. The Septuagint (and in this particular they are followed by the Greek Fathers) read on the contrary, that his brethren the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, defamed Joseph to his father. But what made them most averse to him was, his relating certain dreams², and telling them; that in a dream he had seen twelve sheaves belonging to his brethren, that did obeysance to his sheaf which stood upright in the field; and another time, that he had seen the Sun, and Moon, and twelve Stars do obeysance to him. Jacob heard all this without saying any thing; but Joseph’s brethren could not bear it.

One day as his brethren were feeding their flocks near Shechem, Jacob sent him to visit them. A man whom Joseph met with in the field told him, that his brethren were gone from Shechem, and were at Dothan. Thither he went; and they seeing him at a distance coming towards them, said one to another; Behold this Dreamer cometh; come, let us kill him, and throw him into an old cistern; and we will give out that he was devoured by wild beasts. They laid hold on him therefore and stript him; but did not kill him: Reuben opposing the resolution they had taken of murdering him, they threw him into an old well, which had no water in it: but soon after perceiving a caravan of Ishmaelite and Midianitish Merchants coming from the mountains of Gilead, and carrying spices and gums into Egypt, they sold Joseph to them, and sent his coat to Jacob, dip’d in the blood of a kid, which they had killed; and told him, that this was what they had found, and desired him to consider whether it were his son’s or not. Jacob remained inconsolable Gen.xxxix. 1,2,3, &c.for the death of his son, whom he believed to be indeed devoured by beasts; and Joseph’s brethren kept every thing extremely secret.

The Merchants above mentioned sold Joseph as a slave to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s eunuch or officer, the general or captain of his guards. Joseph so insinuated himself into his master’s confidence, that he made him steward of his House, and committed the care of all his domestick affairs to him. But Potiphar’s wife having conceived a criminal passion for this young slave, solicited him more than once to gratify her wicked desires. Joseph always refused. At last she pressed him one day so closely, that he could no otherwise get out of her hands, than by leaving his cloke behind in her possession. She seeing herself thus despised, began to cry out, and to complain that the young Hebrew had attempted to ravish her. And shewing his cloke which she held in her hand, she easily persuaded her husband, that Joseph would have offered violence to her. Potiphar therefore put Joseph into prison³. But whether at last he had discovered his innocency, or that he had only compassion on him for his misfortune, he made him overseer of the other prisoners, and treated him with great gentleness, without, however, setting him at liberty.

Now it happened, that two of the King of Egypt’s officers, his butler and his baker, having incur’d their master’s displeasure, were likewise put into prison with Joseph⁴. After sometime they had each of them a dream, which described what was to befal them. They related their dream to Joseph, who explained it to them. The butler dreamt, that he pressed grapes into a cup, and presented it to Pharaoh. Joseph foretold that in three days he should be restored to his imployment, and at the same time desired him not to forget the service which he did him, and to procure his liberty. The baker dreamed, that he had a basket upon his head with all sorts of baked meats and bread, with which he was used to serve the King’s family, and the birds came and eat them. Joseph foretold him, that he should be beheaded, and afterwards fastned to a cross, upon which the birds would rest and devour his carcase. These predictions were soon followed with their effect. The butler was restored to the dignity he before enjoyed; but did not remember his benefactor, nor said any thing at that time to Pharaoh concerning Joseph.

Two years after⁵ Pharaoh had a dream, which no one was able to explain to him. He thought he saw seven fat and seven lean Kine; and that the lean eat up, Gen. xli. 1, 2, 3.and intirely consumed the fat. While he was sleeping he saw seven ears of corn full and good, and seven thin and whithered; and the empty ears consumed the seven that were full. This dream making him very uneasy, his butler at last remembred Joseph, and told the king in what manner he had explained the baker’s dream and his. At the same time Pharaoh commanded Joseph to be brought to him. He was accordingly taken out of prison, shaved, new dressed, and presented to the King. The King related to him his dreams, and Joseph interpreted them, telling him, that the seven kine, and the seven ears, signified the same thing; that by them it was meant, that there should be first seven years of great plenty, which should be succeeded by seven years of great barrenness, that people should neither sow nor reap; and that to prevent the calamity of a famine in the last seven years, it was necessary to choose a wise and understanding man, who during the seven years of fertility should gather into the King’s granaries the fifth part of the several grains, which the earth should produce, and lay them up as a reserve against the seven years of famine.

This council was well received by the King and all his officers; and Pharaoh said to Joseph, since you have discovered to us what will happen, where can I find a more proper person than yourself for the employment you propose. I give you therefore the government of my house and of all Egypt, all my people shall obey you, and I will be your superior only in the throne. At the same time he put the ring which he wore on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in a robe of fine linen, or cotton, put a chain of gold about his neck, made him ride in the chariot next to his, and gave orders, that an Herald should proclaim before him, that he was the governor of all Egypt. He changed his name, and appointed him to be called⁶ Zaphnath-paaneah, which in Egyptian, signifies, says S. Jerom, Saviour of the World: Others translate it, He who discovers things concealed. He married him to Aseneth the daughter of Potipherah the Priest of On or Heliopolis. As to this Potipherah, the Fathers and Interpreters are of different opinions. Some believe⁷ him to be the same as Joseph’s first master, who put him into prison. Others Chrysost. homil. 63. in Genes. alii plures. August. qu. 136. in Genes.think him to be another; and indeed his name is written in a manner something different from the first. S. Austin does not venture to decide any thing concerning this question, and we should imitate his reserve in a point wherein the Scripture does not supply us with proofs strong enough to determine us. Joseph had two sons by his marriage, Manasseh and Ephraim, who were born before the beginning of the famine. As to Asenath we find a long fable concerning her marriage with Joseph, in the Historical Mirror of Vincent de Beauvais, l. 2. c. 118. See likewise the Scholastick History.

During the seven years of plenty, Joseph took care to lay up great stores of corn and grain of all sorts, as he himself had advised. And after this, the famine came according to his prediction. It did not afflict Egypt only, but was felt in other parts of the world, particularly in the land of Canaan, where Jacob lived with his sons. People came from all places to buy corn in Egypt, and Pharaoh referred them all to Joseph, designing him to be the sole distributor of it, and that nothing should be done without his orders. Jacob therefore sent his sons into Egypt, as well as others,⁸ to buy provision there; he kept only Benjamin with him, being apprehensive lest some accident might happen to him by the way. Joseph knew his brethren very well, tho they did not discover him. He spoke roughly to them, told them they were spies, detained Simeon in bonds, probably because he had been the warmest of his enemies, and would not suffer the rest to depart, but upon condition that they should bring their youngest brother with them; whom they had mentioned to him. When he dismissed them, he ordered their sacks to be filled with corn, and every man’s money to be put in the bottom of his sack, without their perceiving any thing of it.

As the famine every day encreased, Jacob was constrained, notwithstanding his reluctancy, to send his sons again into Egypt, and to consent that Benjamin should go with them⁹. When they were come to Joseph, and he saw his brother Benjamin with them, he commanded his people to prepare an entertainment for these strangers, because he intended they should dine with him that day. In the mean time he went about his affairs, and did not return till towards noon. When he came in, his brethren all prostrated themselves before him, and offered him the presents which Jacob sent to him. He asked them how their father did, and whether the young man whom they had brought with them was their younger brother. Having saluted Benjamin, he immediately went out, because he was not able to restrain his tears. After this, he ordered dinner to be served in. Joseph and the Egyptians had theirs separately from the Hebrews, who had a table on the other side: for the Egyptians do not eat with the Hebrews, and look upon them as profane and unclean persons. Joseph directed his brethren to be placed acording to their age, and that Benjamin should have a portion five times larger than the rest, which mightily raised their admiration.

The next morning their corn was put into Gen. xliv. 1, 2, 3, &c. Gen. xlv. 1, 2, 3, &c.their sacks, and into Benjamin’s, Joseph’s cup was privately conveyed. They were scarce got out of the city, when Joseph sent in great haste after them, with instructions to reproach them bitterly for their way of using him, by thus taking the Governor’s cup, who had done them so many good offices, and shewn them so much honour. Benjamin’s sack was opened, and in reality Joseph’s cup was found in it. They were all in confusion at this accident, and returned with Benjamin to the city. Judah entreated Joseph to receive him for his slave in the room of Benjamin, and remonstrated to him, that if he returned to his father, without bringing back his favourite son, he would dye with grief. Joseph could no longer forbear weeping, and commanding all the strangers that were there, to leave the room, he lifted up his voice, and with tears plentifully flowing, told his brethren, that he was Joseph, and asked if his father were living. But they were so amazed, that none of them were able to return any answer. He therefore obliging them to come nearer, added, Fear not, nor be afflicted that you sold me. God hath sent me into this country for your preservation. Go make haste to my father, and desire him from me, to come to me here in this land. I will give you the land of Goshen, where you shall dwell with your families and flocks; for the famine must continue some years longer. After this he embraced them all, and principally Benjamin, and let them go.

When they came into the land of Canaan, they told Jacob that his son Joseph was living, and that he was in a manner the King of all Egypt. Jacob upon hearing this news, was as it were awakened out of a deep sleep, and without losing time, prepared to go and embrace his son in Egypt. When he arrived upon the frontiers of this country, he sent JudahGen. xlvi. 1,2,3, &c. before him to give Joseph notice of his coming. Joseph immediately got up into his chariot, and came as far as the land of Goshen to meet his father. They embraced one another with all the transports of joy and tenderness imaginable

Gen. xlvii. 1,2,3, &c.and Joseph going to Pharaoh, told him that his father and brethren, who were shepherds, were come from the land of Canaan. At the same time he presented Jacob to him, and some of his brethren. The King saw this venerable old man with pleasure, and commanded Joseph to give them the land of Goshen, and choose such of his brethren to be overseers of his flocks, as he thought most proper for this employment. Joseph therefore gave Jacob and his sons the land of Goshen, where the city of Rameses was situated, that they might dwell there with their flocks.

The famine still encreasing continually, Joseph drained all the money which the Egyptians had into the King’s coffers; and when they had no more wherewith to purchase corn, he demanded their cattle; and after this their lands; and last of all their persons. Thus having procured all the country to be made over to the King’s use, he told the Egyptians that he would restore their lands and cattle to them, with corn for seed, upon condition that they would pay the fifth part of all that they should reap to the King. This they consented to; and from hence arose the custom which was afterwards observed, of paying the fifth part of all the fruits of Egypt to Pharaoh, excepting from the produce of the lands belonging to the Priests, which were exempted from this duty.

Jacob having spent seventeen years in Egypt¹⁰, and perceiving the time of his death to draw near, sent for Joseph, and said to him, Gen. xlvii. 29.If I have found favour in thine eyes, put thine hand under my thigh, and promise me not to bury me in this land. Joseph did what his father desired, and promised to bury him in the land of Canaan, in the Sepulchre of his Fathers. After this Jacob worshipped God with his head turned towards his bolster¹¹; or, according to the Septuagint, he worshipped the top of Joseph’s staff or scepter which he carried in his hand; or lastly, according to some modern Interpreters, he lay down again, and leaned upon the bolster of his bed. It is certain that the Hebrew may be translated in these different significations, according to the different ways of reading it. Some time after, Joseph was informed that his Father grew worse; wherefore taking his two sons with him, Manasseh and Ephraim, he went to visit him. Jacob told him, that he adopted his two sons, that they should be like Reuben and Simeon in his family. After this he called for Manasseh and Ephraim to come near him, embraced, and blessed them; and putting his hands upon their heads, Joseph observed his left hand to be placed upon Manasseh’s head, tho he was the eldest, and his right upon Ephraim, who was the youngest. Joseph therefore was desirous to remove them. But Jacob told him, that he knew perfectly well what he did; that Manasseh should be the Father of a great people, but that Ephraim should be the most powerful. After he had blessed Ephraim and Manasseh, he told Joseph, that he gave him one portion above his brethren, the field near Shechem, which he had conquered with his sword and with his bow. He meant, in all probability, the field situated near the town of Shechem, Gen. xxxiii. 18, 19.which he bought of the children of Hamor, at his return from Mesopotamia. But how comes he to say, that he had taken it out of the hands of the Amorite, with his sword and with his bow? This, perhaps, he may say, because after his retreat from Shechem upon the score of the violence exercised by his sons against the inhabitants of this city, he was obliged to recover the possession of this estate by forcibly driving out the Amorites, who had made themselves masters of it. See the Commentators upon Gen. xlviii. 22.

After this Jacob called all his children, and gave each of them a particular blessing. To Joseph he said, Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall. The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him. But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong, by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob: even by the God of thy father who shall help thee, and by the Almighty who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitours, unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills.

Gen. l. 1.As soon as Jacob expired, Joseph fell upon his face, and melted into tears. Afterwards he had him embalmed by the Physicians of Egypt, whose trade it was to perform this office. They were thirty days about it, after which they put him forty days more in nitre, in order to dry his flesh more perfectly; and during these seventy days, there was a general mourning over all Egypt for Jacob: The time whereof being expired, Joseph requested that the King would please to give him leave to go and bury his father in the land of Canaan: the King permitted him, and Joseph at the funeral had the company of the chief of Pharaoh’s court, and of the rest of Egypt. When they came to Atad’s threshing floor, they mourned again seven days; after which they put his body in the double cave, or in the cave of Machpelah, which Abraham had purchased of Ephron the Hittite. Now after Joseph was returned to Egypt, his brethren being apprehensive, lest he should have harboured some resentment against them, sent messengers to him, saying, Your Father commanded us before his death to entreat you to forgive what we did to you; we therefore now desire this favour. Joseph wept; and when they were in his presence, he said to them, Are we able to resist the will of God? God hath changed the evil designs which you had formed against me into good. Fear not: I will nourish you and your little ones.

Joseph, after he had lived an hundred and ten years, and seen his grand-children of the third generation, fell sick, and said to his brethren, God will visit you after my death, and bring you out of this land, unto the land which he promised to our fathers. Promise me therefore with an oath, to transport my bones with you, when you shall depart hence. This they promised him; and after his death¹², his body was put into a coffin in Egypt; and Moses carried it away with him, when he delivered the Israelites out of that country. Exod. xiii. 19. Josh. xxiv. 32.It was committed to the care of the Tribe of Ephraim, and by them buried near Shechem, in the field which Jacob, a little before his death, had given to Joseph, as his particular property. The Rabbins¹³ have told abundance of stories concerning Joseph’s coffin, which the Egyptians, they say, had concealed under ground, in the channel of the river Nile, lest the Hebrews should carry it away; knowing very well, that as soon as they were possessed of this body, the Egyptians would be no longer able to detain them in their country. But notwithstanding Moses discovered it, and carried it away in spite of them.

The Author of Ecclesiasticus has made an encomium on the Patriarch Joseph in Ecclus. xlix. 16, 17.these terms, Of Jacob was this man of mercy born, who hath found favour in the eyes of all flesh. He was born to be the Prince of his brethren, and the support of his family; to be the head of his kinsmen, and the firm support of his people. His bones were visited, and prophesied after his death. His meaning is, that his bones were removed out of Egypt, and that this fell out as a consequence of his prophecy, that God would visit the Hebrews, and bring them into the promised land.

Origen. Philocalia p. 29. edit. Oxon. & in Joan. t. v. p. 77. Artapan. apud Eus. l. 9. c. 23. Præparat.We read in the Testament of the twelve Patriarchs several particulars of Joseph’s life, which are absolutely apocryphal, as well as the prophecy, which he there makes of the blessed Virgin’s birth, who, says he, shall be of the Tribe of Judah and Levi, and will bring into the world the Lamb of God. Joseph afterwards enjoins his sons to carry away the bones of Zilpah, and bury them in the Land of Canaan near Rachel’s Sepulchre. Many learned men¹⁴ have been of opinion, that the Egyptians worshipped Joseph under the names of Apis, Osiris, and Serapis, and even under the names of Hermes, Tammuz, and Adonis. There is a book ascribed to Joseph, entitled, Joseph’s Prayer, which is cited by Origen in more places than one. Trithemius speaks of a magical book, whereof Joseph is said to be the author; the title of it is Joseph’s Mirrour¹⁵. Artapanus, who is quoted in Eusebius, says, that Joseph coming into Egypt shewed the Egyptians the way of dividing lands, and cultivating each his own peculiar portion, whereas before, every one tilled what he thought proper, all the lands being then in common: he adds, that he invented likewise measures; for which he deserved extraordinary honours from this people. Mahomet in his Alcoran, Surat. xii. relates the history of Joseph at length, but blends it with many fabulous circumstances, which have been very much improved by the eastern people, See Maracius’s notes upon the Alcoran.

We have taken notice of Joseph’s marriage with the daughter of Potipherah under the article Asenath. The Mahometans Bibl. Orient. p. 696. Jousouf. Ben Jacob.have several books containing the supposed amours of Joseph with Zoleikah, daughter to Pharaoh King of Egypt, and wife to Potiphar. They make use of the name and example of Joseph, to raise their hearts to a love of God. Joseph and Zolei-kah are with them, what the bridegroom and the spouse are in Solomon’s Canticles, that is to say, Jesus Christ and the Church, or God and a faithful soul: under the allegory of common love, the heart is exalted to a divine and supernatural affection.

Alcoran ch. of Joesph.Mahomet relates the history of Joseph in a manner different from Moses. Joseph having mentioned to his father his dream of the Sun, Moon, and twelve Stars, which worshipped him; Jacob said to him, My son, tell nothing of thy dream to thy brethren; the Devil is the declared enemy of mankind; thou shalt be the Lord’s elect, &c. Joseph’s brethren observing, that he was more beloved than all of them by their father, resolved to kill him. They one day asked Jacob why he did not send Joseph into the fields with them; they assured him they would take great care of him, and that he would be pleased and diverted. But I am afraid, said he, that you will be negligent, and not have the concern for his safety which I desire. Are you then afraid said they, that wolves should devour him with us, and we not have the courage to defend him? In short, they carried him with them in the morning and threw him into a well. In the evening they returned to their father’s with their eyes bathed in tears, and told him with a counterfeit sorrow, that they were playing, and contending who should run best, and while Joseph continued with their clothes, a wolf came and devoured him: and as Jacob would believe nothing of the matter, they shewed him his bloody shirt. Jacob hereupon said to them, You have done this yourselves, you will be responsible for it before God, who is my protector; and so took it patiently without making any outcries.

The same day a caravan passed near the well, and the people belonging to it had a mind to draw water for their drinking. They let down their bucket, and Joseph fastened himself to it in order by this means to get out. They gave him clothes, carried him away privately, and sold him cheap for ready money. He who bought him in Egypt commanded his wife to take care of him, telling her, that one day he might be fit for their service, and would be to them instead of a child. When he was come to twenty years of age, Zoleikah his master’s wife conceived an irregular passion for him. She shut him up one day in her chamber, and would have tempted him to sin. God forbid, said he, that I should deal treacherously with my master, and be guilty of such lewdness; and at the same time fled towards the door. His mistress stop’d him, and pulled him by the tail of his shirt. She happened to meet her husband near the door, and said to him, what does he deserve who has attempted to dishonour his master’s house, what but to be cast into prison and severely punished? My lord, said Joseph, ‘tis she who tempts me; this child who is in the cradle will be my witness. The child hereupon said, If Joseph’s shirt is tore before, then she tells truth; but if it be torn behind, then Jo-seph tells truth, and she is a liar. The husband seeing Joseph’s shirt tore behind, acknowledged his innocence, and his wife’s malice.

The report of this action was soon spread throughout the city, and the ladies said, that the rich man’s wife had endeavoured to debauch her servant. This coming to the ears of Joseph’s mistress, she made a splendid entertainment for them. When they were at table she sent for Joseph to come in; as soon as he appeared they were amazed at his extreme beauty, and so confounded, that they knew not what they did, but instead of cutting their meat they cut their fingers, and said among themselves, This is not a man, but an angel. Here, said Zoleikah, as it were to excuse herself, is the man whom I have loved so passionately. Some time after she sollicited him afresh, and Joseph shewing the same firmness as before, she ordered him to be committed to prison, where he explained the dreams of Pharaoh’s butler and baker.

Joseph continued in this confinement nine years, after which the King had his dream of the seven kine and seven ears of corn, which was explained by Joseph, not to Pharaoh, but to the king’s butler, to whom he had before interpreted the dream of the grapes, the juice whereof was pressed by him into Pharaoh’s cup. This man, who was then at liberty, desiring Joseph to explain the King’s dream, Joseph satisfied him, and the butler went directly and gave an account of it to Pha-raoh. This Prince took Joseph hereupon out of prison, and appointed him superintendant of his revenues.

Mahomet relates afterwards, how Joseph’s brethren came into Egypt to buy corn, how Benjamin was stop’d, and Joseph at last discovered himself to his brethren, saying, unto them, Return to your father, and carry this shirt to him; throw it over his face, and he will recover his sight; this family done come back, and bring your whole family with you. The caravan was got half way on its return when Jacob said to those who were about him, I perceive the smell of my son Joseph: You laugh at me, but what I say is true. Some days after one of his sons came, who brought him news of Joseph, and having thrown the shirt of his dear son to him, he immediately recovered his sight, which he had lost by continual weeping. Jacob without delay went with his whole family into Egypt. Joseph took him by the hand, and said to him, enter this country without any apprehensions; at the same time he obliged him to set down, and his brethren prostrated themselves before him. Then he said to him, my father, behold the explanation of my dream; God has verified it. In this manner does this famous Impostor relate the history of Joseph.

His followers say, that Joseph was sixteen years old when he was sold, that the King of Egypt, who reigned at that time, was Riam the son of Valid; that this Prince, who was likewise called Pharaoh, that is to say in the Egyptian language, absolute Monarch, was instructed by Joseph in the knowledge of the true God; but had one Kabrus the son of Massaab for his successor, who was a wicked Prince; that from the time of Jacob’s arrival in Egypt, to the departure of the Israelites under Moses, was 430 years; that this legislator carried away the bones and coffin of Joseph, which he found in the channel of the Nile.

Ebn Batrick, otherwise Eutychius Patriarch of Alexandria, says, that Joseph at the age of thirty, married Azima the daughter of Kahen d’Ain Schems, that is to say, of the Priest the diviner of the fountain of the sun: this is the name given to the antient city of On, called by the Greeks, Heliopolis. He adds, that the measure of the Nile which is at Memphis, is the work of Joseph, as well as the canal dug in Cairo for discharging the waters of this river. This is the canal which our travellers generally call the Callis. As to the measure of the Nile, it is a pillar Νειλόμε-τρον or Νειλοσκόπιον.erected in the midst of this river, upon which the degrees of the increase or diminution of the waters are marked, to which the happiness and fertility of the country is owing. If the Nile rises to the height of eighteen degrees or eighteen fathoms, there is great plenty in Egypt; if it does not rise to the height of fourteen degrees great scarcity is to be expected.

The eastern people believe likewise, that the wells and publick granaries, which still go by his name, were of Joseph’s directing, as also the pyramids and obelisks. In a word they give him the honour of every thing that is most rare and antient in Egypt. They will have it, that he taught the Egyptians the most sublime Sciences, and particularly Geometry, which was very necessary to them, in order to divide and parcel out their lands. They believe that he had upon his shoulder a point of light like a star, which was an indelible mark of the gift of Prophecy, and of his future prudence.

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