Study Notes Week 45

Read
Aloud together to hear the Word (Leviticus 23:1-3; Nehemiah 8:1-4; Luke 4:16-17)

45:1 Then Joseph couldn’t restrain himself before all those who stood before him, and he called out, “Cause everyone to go out from me!” No one else stood with him, while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 He wept aloud. The Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Does my father still live?” His brothers couldn’t answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. 4 Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” They came near. He said, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 Now don’t be grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me here, for Elohim sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are yet five years, in which there will be no plowing and no harvest. 7 Elohim sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the land, and to save you alive by a great escape. 8 So now it wasn’t you who sent me here, but Elohim, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 9 Hurry, and go up to my father, and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says, “Elohim has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me. Don’t wait. 10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you will be near to me, you, your children, your children’s children, your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 11 There I will provide for you; for there are yet five years of famine; lest you come to poverty, you, and your household, and all that you have.” ’ 12 Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you. 13 You shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. You shall hurry and bring my father down here.” 14 He fell on the neck of Benjamin his brother and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. 15 He kissed all his brothers, and wept on them. After that his brothers talked with him. 16 The voice of it was heard in the house of Pharaoh, saying, “The brothers of Joseph have come.” It pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants. 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals, and go, travel to the land of Canaan. 18 Take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land.’ 19 Now you are commanded to do this: Take wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. 20 Also, don’t concern yourselves about your belongings, for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.” 21 The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way. 22 He gave each one of them changes of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing. 23 He sent the following to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and provision for his father by the way. 24 So he sent his brothers away, and they departed. He said to them, “See that you don’t quarrel on the way.” 25 They went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father. 26 They told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” His heart was numb, for he didn’t believe them. 27 They told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them. When he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob, their father, revived. 28 Israel said, “It is abundant. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

Torah Portion Summary
Context and coherence (Nehemiah 8:8)

Review

1. Genesis 44:1-5 He commanded the steward of his house, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in his sack’s mouth. 2 Put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, with his grain money.” He did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. 3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys. 4 When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, “Up, follow after the men. When you overtake them, ask them, ‘Why have you rewarded evil for good? 5 [Why have you stolen my silver cup?]^(LXX) Isn’t this that from which my lord drinks, and by which he indeed divines? You have done evil in so doing.’ ”
   1. Divine = נָחָשׁ nachash (H5175) is most often translated as “serpent” and comes from the word נָחַשׁ nachash (H5178) and literally means “to divine” which is to learn something through divination (the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means). Bibles have used the words enchantment, divine, enchanter, indeed, certainly, learn, experience, diligently, or observe to translate the word נָחַשׁ nachash.
   2. According to Judaism, “the gematria (numerical value) of the Hebrew word for “snake,” nachash, is equivalent to the value of the word Moshiach. Moshiach will bring an end to exile and repair the damage done to the world through the sin of the Tree of Knowledge, which was caused by a snake.” – by Chaya Shuchat “Hidden Good” on TheJewishWoman.org
2. Genesis 44:6-10 He overtook them, and he spoke these words to them. 7 They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants that they should do such a thing! 8 Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan. How then should we steal silver or gold out of your lord’s house? 9 With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.” 10 He said, “Now also let it be according to your words. He with whom it is found will be my slave; and you will be blameless.”
3. Genesis 44:11-15 Then they hurried, and each man took his sack down to the ground, and each man opened his sack. 12 He searched, beginning with the oldest, and ending at the youngest. The cup was found in the sack of Benjamin. 13 Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey, and returned to the city. 14 Judah and his brothers came to the house of Joseph, and he was still there. They fell on the ground before him. 15 Joseph said to them, “What deed is this that you have done? Don’t you know that such a man as I can indeed do divination?”
4. Genesis 44:16-17 Judah said, “What will we tell my lord? What will we speak? How will we clear ourselves? Elohim has found out the iniquity of your servants. Behold, we are my lord’s slaves, both we and he also in whose hand the cup is found.” 17 He said, “Far be it from me that I should do so. The man in whose hand the cup is found, he will be my slave; but as for you, go up in peace to your father.”
5. Genesis 44:18 Then Judah came near to him, and said, “Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord‘s ears, and don’t let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even as Pharaoh…For your servant became surety for the boy to my father, saying, ‘If I don’t bring him to you, then I will bear the blame to my father forever.’ 33 Now therefore, please let your servant stay instead of the boy, my lord’s slave; and let the boy go up with his brothers. 34 For how will I go up to my father, if the boy isn’t with me?—lest I see the evil that will come on my father.”
   1. Surety = עָרַב arav (H6148) means to mix or barter wares found in the marketplace for sale or trade.

Genesis 45:1-28

1. Genesis 45:1-2 Then Joseph couldn’t restrain himself before all those who stood before him, and he called out, “Cause everyone to go out from me!” No one else stood with him, while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 He wept aloud. The Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.
2. Genesis 45:3-5 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Does my father still live?” His brothers couldn’t answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. 4 Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” They came near. He said, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 Now don’t be grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me here, for Elohim sent me before you to preserve life.
3. Genesis 45:6-7 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are yet five years, in which there will be no plowing and no harvest. 7 Elohim sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the land, and to save you alive by a great escape.
   1. Escape = H6413
4. Genesis 45:8 So now it wasn’t you who sent me here, but Elohim, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
   1. Ruler = מָשַׁל mashal (H4910) literally means to compare one thing to another in the sense of a rule of measurement, often a proverb or parable. For example, the Hebrew word for “Proverbs” is Sefer Mishlei (literally meaning “Book of Parables”) which contains guidance for living a wise, moral, and righteous life, in the form of proverbs and parables. Often, a proverb or parable is a story of comparisons or measuring one thing against another (cf. Genesis 1:18; Genesis 4:7; Genesis 24:2; Genesis 45:8; Exodus 21:8; Deuteronomy 15:5-6; Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 22:7; Isaiah 3:12). מָשַׁל mashal is equivalent to the Greek word παραβολή parabolē (G3850) which is a placing of one thing by the side of another, juxtaposition, as of ships in battle. It is further defined as a concise, forcefully expressive, and instructive saying involving some likeness or comparison and having the nature of or expressing a precept giving instructions or giving or conveying a warning or reprimand (cf. Matthew 13:3, 10, 13, 34-35; Matthew 22:1; Luke 8:10; John 16:25). As it relates to a husband and wife, it’s apparent that a husband’s responsibility is to teach his wife and provide guidance for living a wise, moral, and righteous life (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; Ephesians 5:22-28; Colossians 3:18; Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 3:1). In the sense of governance, מָשַׁל mashal means to rule, have dominion, or reign and is equivalent to the Greek word κυριεύω kyrieuō (G2961) to be lord of, to rule, have dominion over (cf. Luke 22:25; Romans 6:9; Romans 7:1; Romans 14:9; 2 Corinthians 1:24).
5. Genesis 45:9-11 Hurry, and go up to my father, and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says, “Elohim has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me. Don’t wait. 10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you will be near to me, you, your children, your children’s children, your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 11 There I will provide for you; for there are yet five years of famine; lest you come to poverty, you, and your household, and all that you have.” ’
   1. Poverty = רוּשׁ rush (H7326) means “to inherit or possess” so when referring to poverty, it means “dispossessed” (cf. Proverbs 30:9; Deuteronomy 15:4; 1 Samuel 2:7) where what has been inherited is taken away, thus making the person poor (cf. Genesis 45:11). רוּשׁ rush is used 24 times in the Hebrew Bible and most often translated as poor (19x), poor man (3x), lack (1x), needy (1x).
      1. Proverbs 30:8 Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me, 9 lest I be full, deny you, and say, ‘Who is YHWH?’ or lest I be dispossessed, and steal, and so dishonor the name of my Elohim.
      2. Deuteronomy 15:4 However there will be no needy among you, for YHWH will surely bless you in the land which YHWH your Elohim gives you for an inheritance to possess.
      3. 1 Samuel 2:7 YHWH dispossesses and makes rich. He brings low, he also lifts up.
6. Genesis 45:12-15 Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you. 13 You shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. You shall hurry and bring my father down here.” 14 He fell on the neck of Benjamin his brother and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. 15 He kissed all his brothers, and wept on them. After that his brothers talked with him.
7. Genesis 45:16-21 The voice of it was heard in the house of Pharaoh, saying, “The brothers of Joseph have come.” It pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants. 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals, and go, travel to the land of Canaan. 18 Take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land.’ 19 Now you are commanded to do this: Take wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. 20 Also, don’t concern yourselves about your belongings, for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.” 21 The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.
8. Genesis 45:22-23 He gave each one of them changes of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing. 23 He sent the following to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and provision for his father by the way.
9. Genesis 45:24 So he sent his brothers away, and they departed. He said to them, “See that you don’t quarrel on the way.”
10. Genesis 45:25-28 They went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father. 26 They told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” His heart was numb, for he didn’t believe them. 27 They told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them. When he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob, their father, lived. 28 Israel said, “It is abundant. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

The Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs is comprised of the dying commands of the twelve sons of Jacob. It is part of the Oskan Armenian Orthodox Bible of 1666. Fragments of similar writings were found at Qumran, but opinions are divided as to whether these are the same texts. Fragments of the Aramaic Levi Document, which is related to the Testament of Levi, were found in Qumran Caves 1 and 4, while a Hebrew fragment of the Testament of Naphtali (4Q215) was found in Cave 4. Other fragments that may relate to the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs (e.g., Judah and Benjamin) were also discovered, though not enough survived to be clearly identified as copies or sources. The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs was most likely written during the Maccabean (or Hasmonean) period between 109 and 106 B.C., with later Christian editing and additions occurring into the second century A.D.

1. Shimon, the second son of Jacob and Leah
   1. The Testament of Shimon 1:7-18 For in the time of my youth I was jealous in many things of Joseph, because my father loved him beyond all. 8 And I set my mind against him to destroy him because the prince of deceit sent forth the spirit of jealousy and blinded my mind, so that I regarded him not as a brother, nor did I spare even Jacob my father. 9 But his God and the God of his fathers sent forth His angel, and delivered him out of my hands. 10 For when I went to Shechem to bring ointment for the flocks, and Reuben to Dothan, where were our necessaries and all our stores, Judah my brother sold him to the Ishmaelites. 11 And when Reuben heard these things he was grieved, for he wished to restore him to his father. 12 But on hearing this I was exceedingly wroth against Judah in that he let him go away alive, and for five months I continued wrathful against him. 13 But the Lord restrained me, and withheld from me the power of my hands; for my right hand was half withered for seven days. 14 And I knew, my children, that because of Joseph this had befallen me, and I repented and wept; and I besought the Lord God that my hand might be restored and that I might hold aloof from all pollution and envy and from all folly. 15 For I knew that I had devised an evil thing before the Lord and Jacob my father, on account of Joseph my brother, in that I envied him. 16 And now, my children, hearken unto me and beware of the spirit of deceit and envy. 17 For envy ruleth over the whole mind of a man, and suffereth him neither to eat nor to drink, nor to do any good thing. But it ever suggesteth to him to destroy him that he envieth; and so long as he that is envied flourisheth, he that envieth fadeth away. 18 Two years therefore I afflicted my soul with fasting in the fear of the Lord, and I learnt that deliverance from envy cometh by the fear of God.
   2. The Testament of Shimon 2:2-7 For I mourned more than they all, because I was guilty of the selling of Joseph. 3 And when we went down into Egypt, and he bound me as a spy, I knew that I was suffering justly, and I grieved not. 4 Now Joseph was a good man, and had the Spirit of God within him: being compassionate and pitiful, he bore no malice against me; but loved me even as the rest of his brethren. 5 Beware, therefore, my children, of all jealousy and envy, and walk in singleness of heart, that God may give you also grace and glory, and blessing upon your heads, even as ye saw in Joseph’s case. 6 All his days he reproached us not concerning this thing, but loved us as his own soul, and beyond his own sons glorified us, and gave us riches, and cattle and fruits. 7 Do ye also, my children, love each one his brother with a good heart, and the spirit of envy will withdraw from you.
2. Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah
   1. The Testament of Levi 4:1-10 And now, my children, I command you: Fear the Lord your God with your whole heart, and walk in simplicity according to all His law. 2 And do ye also teach your children letters, that they may have understanding all their life, reading unceasingly the law of God. 3 For every one that knoweth the law of the Lord shall be honoured, and shall not be a stranger whithersoever he goeth. 4 Yea, many friends shall he gain more than his parents, and many men shall desire to serve him, and to hear the law from his mouth. 5 Work righteousness, therefore, my children, upon the earth, that ye may have it as a treasure in heaven. 6 And sow good things in your souls, that ye may find them in your life. 7 But if ye sow evil things, ye shall reap every trouble and affliction. 8 Get wisdom in the fear of God with diligence; for though there be a leading into captivity, and cities and lands be destroyed, and gold and silver and every possession perish, the wisdom of the wise nought can take away, save the blindness of ungodliness, and the callousness that comes of sin. 9 For if one keep oneself from these evil things, then even among his enemies shall wisdom be a glory to him, and in a strange country a fatherland, and in the midst of foes shall prove a friend. 10 Whosoever teaches noble things and does them, shall be enthroned with kings, as was also Joseph my brother.
3. Zebulun, the sixth son of Jacob and Leah
   1. The Testament of Zebulun 2:19-24 Have, therefore, yourselves also, my children, compassion towards every man with mercy, that the Lord also may have compassion and mercy upon you. 20 Because also in, the last days God will send His compassion on the earth, and wheresoever He findeth bowels of mercy He dwelleth in him. 21 For in the degree in which a man hath compassion upon his neighbours, in the same degree hath the Lord also upon him. 22 And when we went down into Egypt, Joseph bore no malice against us. 23 To whom taking heed, do ye also, my children, approve yourselves without malice, and love one another; and do not set down in account, each one of you, evil against his brother. 24 For this breaketh unity and divideth all kindred, and troubleth the soul, and weareth away the countenance.
4. Dan, the seventh son of Jacob and Bilhah
   1. The Testament of Dan 1:4-9 I confess, therefore, this day to you, my children, that in my heart I resolved on the death of Joseph my brother, the true and good man. 5 And I rejoiced that he was sold, because his father loved him more than us. 6 For the spirit of jealousy and vainglory said to me: Thou thyself also art his son. 7 And one of the spirits of Beliar stirred me up, saying: Take this sword, and with it slay Joseph: so shall thy father love thee when he is dead. 8 Now this is the spirit of anger that persuaded me to crush Joseph as a leopard crusheth a kid. 9 But the God of my fathers did not suffer him to fall into my hands, so that I should find him alone and slay him, and cause a second tribe to be destroyed in Israel.
5. Naphtali, the eighth son of Jacob and Bilhah
   1. The Testament of Naphtali 2:19-25 These two dreams I told to my father; and he said to me: These things must be fulfilled in their season, after that Israel hath endured many things. 20 Then my father saith unto me: I believe God that Joseph liveth, for I see always that the Lord numbereth him with you. 21 And he said, weeping: Ah me, my son Joseph, thou livest, though I behold thee not, and thou seest not Jacob that begat thee. 22 He caused me also, therefore, to weep by these words, and I burned in my heart to declare that Joseph had been sold, but I feared my brethren. 23 And lo! my children, I have shown unto you the last times, how everything shall come to pass in Israel. 24 Do ye also, therefore, charge your children that they be united to Levi and to Judah; for through them shall salvation arise unto Israel, and in them shall Jacob be blessed. 25 For through their tribes shall God appear dwelling among men on earth, to save the race of Israel, and to gather together the righteous from amongst the Gentiles.
6. Gad, the ninth son of Jacob and Zilpah
   1. The Testament of Gad 1:3-14, 27-36 Accordingly I guarded at night the flock; and whenever the lion came, or the wolf, or any wild beast against the fold, I pursued it, and overtaking it I seized its foot with my hand and hurled it about a stone’s throw, and so killed it. 4 Now Joseph my brother was feeding the flock with us for upwards of thirty days, and being young, he fell sick by reason of the heat. 5 And he returned to Hebron to our father, who made him lie down near him, because he loved him greatly. 6 And Joseph told our father that the sons of Zilpah and Bilhah were slaying the best of the flock and eating them against the judgement of Reuben and Judah. 7 For he saw that I had delivered a lamb out of the mouth of a bear, and put the bear to death; but had slain the lamb, being grieved concerning it that it could not live, and that we had eaten it. 8 And regarding this matter I was wroth with Joseph until the day that he was sold. 9 And the spirit of hatred was in me, and I wished not either to hear of Joseph with the ears, or see him with the eyes, because he rebuked us to our faces saying that we were eating of the flock without Judah. 10 For whatsoever things he told our father, he believed him. 11 I confess now my sin, my children, that oftentimes I wished to kill him, because I hated him from my heart. 12 Moreover, I hated him yet more for his dreams; and I wished to lick him out of the land of the living, even as an ox licketh up the grass of the field. 13 And Judah sold him secretly to the Ishmaelites. 14 Thus the God of our fathers delivered him from our hands, that we should not work great lawlessness in Israel…27 Righteousness casteth out hatred, humility destroyeth envy. 28 For he that is just and humble is ashamed to do what is unjust, being reproved not of another, but of his own heart, because the Lord looketh on his inclination. 29 He speaketh not against a holy man, because the fear of God overcometh hatred. 30 For fearing lest he should offend the Lord, he will not do wrong to any man, even in thought. 31 These things I learnt at last, after I had repented concerning Joseph. 32 For true repentance after a godly sort destroyeth ignorance, and driveth away the darkness, and enlighteneth the eyes, and giveth knowledge to the soul, and leadeth the mind to salvation. 33 And those things which it hath not learnt from man, it knoweth through repentance. 34 For God brought upon me a disease of the liver; and had not the prayers of Jacob my father succoured me, it had hardly failed but my spirit had departed. 35 For by what things a man transgresseth by the same also is he punished . 36 Since, therefore, my liver was set mercilessly against Joseph, in my liver too I suffered mercilessly, and was judged for eleven months, for so long a time as I had been angry against Joseph.
   2. The Testament of Gad 2:1-4 And now, my children, I exhort you, love ye each one his brother, and put away hatred from your hearts, love one another in deed, and in word, and in the inclination of the soul. 2 For in the presence of my father I spake peaceably to Joseph; and when I had gone out, the spirit of hatred darkened my mind, and stirred up my soul to slay him. 3 Love ye one another from the heart; and if a man sin against thee, speak peaceably to him, and in thy soul hold not guile; and if he repent and confess, forgive him. 4 But if he deny it, do not get into a passion with him, lest catching the poison from thee he take to swearing and so thou sin doubly.
7. Benjamin, the twelfth son of Jacob and Rachel
   1. The Testament of Benjamin 1:7-14 And when I went into Egypt, to Joseph, and my brother recognized me, he said unto me: What did they tell my father when they sold me? 8 And I said unto him, They dabbled thy coat with blood and sent it, and said: Know whether this be thy son’s coat. 9 And he said unto me: Even so, brother, when they had stripped me of my coat they gave me to the Ishmaelites, and they gave me a loin cloth, and scourged me, and bade me run. 10 And as for one of them that had beaten me with a rod, a lion met him and slew him. 11 And so his associates were affrighted. 12 Do ye also, therefore, my children, love the Lord God of heaven and earth, and keep His commandments, following the example of the good and holy man Joseph. 13 And let your mind be unto good, even as ye know me; for he that bath his mind right seeth all things rightly. 14 Fear ye the Lord, and love your neighbour; and even though the spirits of Beliar claim you to afflict you with every evil, yet shall they not have dominion over you, even as they had not over Joseph my brother.
   2. The Testament of Benjamin 2:11 Now when Joseph was in Egypt, I longed to see his figure and the form of his countenance; and through the prayers of Jacob my father I saw him, while awake in the daytime, even his entire figure exactly as he was.