Aggada -- Translations into English; Bible. Old Testament -- Legends; Jewish legends; Midrash -- Translations into English
Elishama, son of Ammihud, the name of the prince of the tribe of
Ephraim, points to the history of Joseph, their forefather. God said:
"Elishama, 'he obeyed Me,' who bade him be chaste and not covet his
master's wife that wanted to tempt him to sin, and Ammihud, 'Me he
honored,' and none other."
The other tribe of Joseph, Manasseh, also named their prince in
reference to their forefather, calling him Gamaliel, son of Pedahzur,
which signifies, "God rewarded Joseph for his piety by releasing him
from bondage and making him ruler over Egypt."
The prince of the tribe of Benjamin was named Abidan, "my father
decreed," son of Gideoni, "mighty hosts," referring to the following
incident. When Rachel perceived that she would die at the birth of her
son, she called him "son of faintness," supposing that a similar fate
would overtake him, and that he was doomed through weakness to die
young. But Jacob, the child's father, decreed otherwise, and called him
Benjamin, "son of might and of many years."
The prince of the tribe of Dan bore the name Ahiezer, "brother of
help," son of Ammishaddai, "My people's judge," because he was allied
with the helpful tribe of Judah at the erection of the Tabernacle, and
like this ruling tribe brought forth a mighty judge in the person of
Samson.
The tribe of Asher was distinguished by the beauty of its women, which
was so excellent that even the old among them were fairer and stronger
than the young girls of the other tribes. For this reason kings chose
the daughters of this tribe to be their wives, and these, through their
intercession before the kings, saved the lives of many who had been
doomed to death. Hence the name of the prince of the tribe of Asher,
Pagiel, "the interceder," son of Ochran, "the afflicted," for the women
of the tribe of Asher, through their intercession, obtained grace for
the afflicted.
The prince of the tribe of Gad bore the name Eliasaph, "God
multiplied;" son of Deuel, "God is a witness." To reward them for
passing over the Jordan and not returning to their property on this
side of the river until the promised land was won, their wealth was
multiplied by God; for when, upon returning, they found the enemy at
home, God aided them and they gained all their enemies possessions. God
was furthermore witness that this tribe had no wicked motive when they
erected an altar on their land.
The prince of the tribe of Naphtali was called Ahira, "desirable
meadow," son of Enan, "clouds;" for the land of this tribe was
distinguished by its extraordinary excellence. Its products were
exactly what their owners "desired," and all this owing to the plenty
of water, for the "clouds" poured plentiful rain over their land.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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