Aggada -- Translations into English; Bible. Old Testament -- Legends; Jewish legends; Midrash -- Translations into English
Even such kind words of exhortation did not banish their fear, and
Joseph continued to speak, "As little as I harbor vengeful thoughts in
my heart against Benjamin, so little do I harbor them against you."And
still his brethren were ill at case, and Joseph went on, "Think you
that it is possible for me to inflict harm upon you? If the smoke of
ten candles could not extinguish one, how can one extinguish ten?"
At last the brethren were soothed, and they went up to Joseph,[282] who
knew each by name, and, weeping, he embraced and kissed them all in
turn. The reason why he wept was that his prophetic spirit showed him
the descendants of his brethren enslaved by the nations.[283]
Especially did he weep upon Benjamin's neck, because he foresaw the
destruction decreed for the two Temples to be situated in the allotment
of Benjamin. And Benjamin also wept upon Joseph's neck, for the
sanctuary at Shiloh, in the territory of Joseph which was likewise
doomed to destruction.[284]
Pharaoh was well pleased with the report of the reconciliation between
Joseph and the Hebrews, for he had feared that their dissensions might
cause the ruin of Egypt, and he sent his servants to Joseph, that they
take part in his joy. Also he sent word to Joseph that it would please
him well if his brethren took up their abode in Egypt, and he promised
to assign the best parts of the land to them for their
dwelling-place.[285]
Not all the servants of Pharaoh were in agreement with their master
concerning this invitation to the Hebrews. Many among them were
disquieted, saying, "If one of the sons of Jacob came hither, and he
was advanced to a high position over our heads, what evil will happen
to us when ten more come hither?"[286]
Joseph gave all his brethren two changes of raiment, one for use on the
ordinary days of the week and one for use on the Sabbath, for, when the
cup was found with Benjamin, they had rent their clothes, and Joseph
would not have his brethren go about in torn garments.[287] But to
Benjamin he gave five changes of raiment, though not in order to
distinguish him above his brethren. Joseph remembered only too well
what mischief his father had caused by giving him the coat of many
colors, thereby arousing the envy of his brethren. He desired only to
intimate that Mordecai, a descendant of Benjamin, would once be arrayed
in five royal garments.[288]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account