• Torah (T): Bereshiyt (Genesis) 39:1-23
• Prophets (P): Isaiah 52:3 – 53:12
• Apostolic (A): Acts 16:16-40
• Additional (ADD): Jubilees 39:1-13

RELATED SCRIPTURES

• Psalms 81:1-5 (T)
• Leviticus 24:12 (T)
• Numbers 15:34 (T)
• Psalms 105:1-23 (T)
• Acts 7:9-10 (T)
• Proverbs 7:1-27 (T)
• 2 Corinthians 6:11-18 (P)
• Romans 15:14-21 (P)
• Romans 10:12-17 (P)
• John 12:35-43 (P)
• Matthew 8:14-17 (P)
• Acts 8:29-37 (P)
• 1 Peter 2:18-25 (P)
• Mark 15:24-28; Luke 22:35-37 (P)
• 1 Samuel 28:4-15 (A)
• Acts 19:23-28 (A)
• Mark 16:14-18 (A)
• Luke 21:10-12 (A)
• Acts 4:31 (A)

RELATED ADDITIONAL READINGS

• Sirach 49:14-16 (T)
• The Coming of Melchizedek 11Q13 Column 2 (P)
• Genesis 39:1-23 from the Jerusalem Targum aka Targum Pseudo-Jonathan (T)
• Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus 2.4.1-5, 2.5.1 (T)

Note: (T) means the verse relates to that week’s Torah portion. (P) means the verse relates to that week’s Prophets portion. (A) means the verse relates to that week’s Apostolic portion. (ADD) means the verse relates to that week’s Additional portion.

Torah Portion (T)

39:1 Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, a [eunuch]^(LXX)(MTT) of Pharaoh, the chief of the cooks, an Egyptian, bought him from the hand of the Ishmaelites that had brought him down there. 2 YHWH was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 His master saw that [Elohim]^(LXX) was with him, and that [Elohim]^(LXX) made all that he did prosper in his hand. 4 Joseph found favor in [the sight of his master].^(LXX)(SP) He served him, and Potiphar set him over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 5 From the time that he set him over his house, and over all that he had, YHWH blessed the house of the Egyptian for the sake of Joseph. the blessing of YHWH was on all that he had, in the house and in the field. 6 He left all that he had in the hand of Joseph. He didn't concern himself with anything, except for the food which he ate. Joseph was [handsome in form, and exceedingly beautiful in appearance].^(LXX) 7 After these things, the wife of his master set her eyes on Joseph; and she said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused, and said to the wife of his master, “Behold, my master doesn't know what is with me in the house, and he has put all that he has into my hand. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am, and he has not kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against Elohim?” 10 As she spoke to Joseph day by day, he didn't listen to her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11 About this time, he went into the house to do his work, and there were none of the men of the house inside. 12 She caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me!” He left his garment in her hand, and ran outside. 13 When she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and had run outside, 14 she called to the men of her house, and spoke to them, saying, “Behold, he has brought a Hebrew in to us to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice. 15 When he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment by me, and ran outside.” 16 She laid up his garment by her, until his master came home. 17 She spoke to him according to these words, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought to us, came in to me to mock me, [and said to me, "Let me sleep with you."]^(LXX) 18 And as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment by me, and ran outside.” 19 When his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, “This is what your servant did to me,” his wrath was kindled. 20 The master of Joseph took him, and put him into the prison house, the place where the prisoners of the king were bound, and he was there in the prison house. 21 But [Elohim]^(LXX) was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief of the prison house. 22 The chief of the prison house committed to the hand of  Joseph all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever they did there, he was responsible for it. 23 The chief of the prison house didn't look after anything that was under his hand, because [Elohim]^(LXX) was with him; and that which he did, [Elohim]^(LXX) made it prosper.

Prophets Portion (P)

52:3 For YHWH says, “You were sold for nothing; and you will be redeemed without money.” 4 For the Lord YHWH says: “My people went down at the first into Egypt to live there: and the Assyrian has oppressed them without cause. 5 “Now therefore, what do I do here,” says YHWH, “seeing that my people are taken away for nothing? Those who rule over them mock,” says YHWH, “[and because of you]^(LXX) my name is blasphemed continually all day long. 6 Therefore my people will know my name. Therefore they will know in that day that I am he who speaks. Behold, it is I.” 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news (cf. Romans 10:15), who publishes peace, who brings good news, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your Elohim reigns!” 8 Your watchmen lift up their voice. Together they sing; for they will see eye to eye when YHWH returns to Zion [with compassion].^(LXX) 9 Break out into joy! Sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem; for YHWH has comforted his people. He has redeemed Jerusalem. 10 YHWH has made his holy arm bare in the eyes of all the nations. All the ends of the land have seen the salvation of our Elohim. 11 Depart! Depart! Go out from there [and]^(LXX) touch no unclean thing! (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:17) Go out from [their]^(LXX) midst and separate yourselves,^(LXX) you who carry the vessels of YHWH. 12 For you will not go out in haste, neither will you go by flight: for YHWH will go before you; and [the one assembling you is the Elohim of Israel].^(LXX) [He is called the Elohim of all the land.]^(DSS) 13 Behold, my servant will deal wisely. He will be exalted and lifted up, and will be very high. 14 Just as many were astonished at [him]^(DSS)(SP)— his appearance was marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men— 15 so he will cleanse many nations. Kings will shut their mouths at him; for they will see that which had not been told them, and they will understand that which they had not heard. (cf. Romans 15:21)

53:1 [YHWH],^(LXX) who has believed our message? (cf. John 12:37-38; Romans 10:16-17) To whom has YHWH’s arm been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no good looks or majesty. When we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 [We despised him]^(DSS) and we did not value him, a man of suffering and [familiar]^{(DSS)(SP)(LXX)} with disease. He was despised as one from whom men hide their face; and we didn’t respect him. 4 Surely he has borne our sickness and carried our suffering (cf. Matthew 8:17); yet we considered him plagued and struck by Elohim, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions (cf. Matthew 27:35, 1:21; 2 Co 5:21; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5) [and]^(DSS)(LXX) he was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed (cf. Mark 14:65; Matthew 27:26; 1 Peter 2:24).  6 All we like sheep have gone astray (cf. 1 Peter 2:24-25). Everyone has turned to his own way; and YHWH has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he didn’t open his mouth. As a [sheep]^(LXX) that is led to the slaughter, and as a [lamb]^(LXX) that before its shearers is silent, so he didn’t open his mouth. 8 [In his oppression his justice was taken away].^(LXX) Who will consider his generation? [For his life]^(LXX) was cut off from the land. [For the transgression of my people he was led to death].^(LXX) 9 [They]^(LXX) made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no [sin],^(LXX) nor was any deceit [found]^(LXX) in his mouth (cf. 1 Peter 2:22). 10 Yet it pleased YHWH to bruise him and make him ill. When you make his soul an offering for sin, he will see his seed. He will prolong his days and YHWH’s pleasure will prosper in his hand. 11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see [light]^(DSS)(LXX) and [form him with understanding].^(LXX) My righteous servant will make many righteous and he will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will give him a portion with the great. He will divide the plunder with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death and was counted with the transgressors (cf. Mark 15:28; Luke 22:37); yet he bore the [sins]^(DSS)(LXX) of many (cf. Hebrews 9:28) and made intercession for [their transgressions].^(DSS)(LXX)

Apostolic Portion (A)

16:16 As we were going to prayer, a certain girl having a spirit of Python met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortune telling. 17 Following Paul and us, she cried out, “These men are servants of the Most High Elohim, who proclaim to [you]^(mss) a way of salvation!” 18 She was doing this for many days. But Paul, becoming greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Yeshua the Messiah to come out of her!” It came out that very hour. 19 But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20 When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men, being Jews, are agitating our city 21 and advocate customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.” 22 The multitude rose up together against them and the magistrates tore their clothes from them, then commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to guard them safely, 24 who, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks. 25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to Elohim, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were loosened. 27 The jailer, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, “Don’t harm yourself, for we are all here!” 29 He called for lights, sprang in, fell down trembling before Paul and Silas, 30 brought them out, and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They said, “Believe in [the Lord Yeshua], and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 They spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house. 33 He took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes, and was immediately immersed, he and all his household. 34 He brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his household, having believed in Elohim. 35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, “Let those men go.” 36 The jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go; now therefore come out and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly without a trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison! Do they now release us secretly? No, most certainly, but let them come themselves and bring us out!” 38 The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans, 39 and they came and begged them. When they had brought them out, they asked them to depart from the city. 40 They went out of the prison, and entered into Lydia’s house. When they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them, then departed.

Additional Portion (ADD)

Between 1947 and 1956 approximately 15 Jubilees scrolls were found in five caves at Qumran, all written in Hebrew. The large number of manuscripts (more than for any biblical books except for Psalms, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Exodus, and Genesis, in descending order) indicates that Jubilees was widely used at Qumran. A comparison of the Qumran texts with the Ethiopic version, performed by James VanderKam, found that the Ethiopic was in most respects an accurate and literalistic translation. Scholars have dated Jubilees to have been written sometime around 160-150 B.C.

39:1 And Jacob dwelt in the land of his father’s sojournings in the land of Canaan. 2. These are the generations of Jacob. And Joseph was seventeen years old when they took him down into the land of Egypt, and Potiphar, an eunuch of Pharaoh, the chief cook bought him. 3. And he set Joseph over all his house, and the blessing of the Lord came upon the house of the Egyptian on account of Joseph, and the Lord prospered him in all that he did. 4. And the Egyptian committed everything into the hands of Joseph; for he saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord prospered him in all that he did. 5. And Joseph’s appearance was comely and very beautiful was his appearance, and his master’s wife lifted up her eyes and saw Joseph, and she loved him, and besought him to lie with her. 6. But he did not surrender his soul, and he remembered the Lord and the words which Jacob, his father, used to read from amongst the words of Abraham, that no man should commit fornication with a woman who hath a husband; that for him the punishment of death hath been ordained in the heavens before the Most High Elohim, and the sin will be recorded against him in the eternal books continually before the Lord. 7. And Joseph remembered these words and refused to lie with her. 8. And she besought him for a year, but he refused and would not listen. 9. But she embraced him and held him fast in the house in order to force him to lie with her, and closed the doors of the house and held him fast; but he left his garment in her hands and broke through the door and fled without from her face. 10. And the woman saw that he would not lie with her, and she made false and defamatory statements about him in the face of his lord, saying: “Thy Hebrew servant, whom thou love, sought to force me so that he might lie with me; and it came to pass when I lifted up my voice that he fled and left his garment in my hands when I held him, and he broke through the door.” 11. And the Egyptian saw the garment of Joseph and the broken door, and heard the words of his wife, and cast Joseph into prison into the place where the prisoners were kept whom the king imprisoned. 12. And he was there in the prison; and the Lord gave Joseph favour in the sight of the chief of the prison guards and compassion before him, for he saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper. 13. And he committed all things into his hands, and the chief of the prison guards knew of nothing that was with him, for Joseph did everything, and the Lord perfected it.

Related Scriptures

81:1 Sing aloud to Elohim, our strength! Make a joyful shout to the Elohim of Jacob! 2 Raise a song, and bring here the tambourine, the pleasant lyre with the harp. 3 Blow the trumpet at the New Moon, at the full moon, on our feast day. 4 For it is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the Elohim of Jacob. 5 He appointed it in Yehoseph for a covenant, when he went out over the land of Egypt, I heard a language that I didn’t know.

Leviticus 24:12 (T)
Numbers 15:34 (T)

105:1 Give thanks to YHWH! Call on his name! Make his doings known among the peoples. 2 Sing to him, sing praises to him! Tell of all his marvelous works. 3 Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek YHWH rejoice. 4 Seek YHWH and his strength. Seek his face forever more. 5 Remember his marvelous works that he has done: his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth, 6 you seed of Abraham, his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones. 7 He is YHWH, our Elohim. His judgments are in all the land. 8 He has remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations, 9 the covenant which he made with Abraham, his oath to Isaac, 10 and confirmed it to Jacob for a statute; to Israel for an everlasting covenant, 11 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance,” 12 when they were but a few men in number, yes, very few, and foreigners in it. 13 They went about from nation to nation, from one reign to another people. 14 He allowed no one to do them wrong. Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes, 15 “Don’t touch my anointed ones! Do my prophets no harm!” 16 He called for a famine on the land. He destroyed the food supplies. 17 He sent a man before them. Joseph was sold for a slave. 18 They bruised his feet with shackles. His neck was locked in irons, 19 until the time that his word happened, and the word of YHWH proved him true. 20 The king sent and freed him, even the ruler of peoples, and let him go free. 21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all of his possessions, 22 to discipline his princes at his pleasure, and to teach his elders wisdom. 23 Israel also came into Egypt. Jacob lived in the land of Ham.

7:9 “The patriarchs, moved with zeal against Joseph, sold him into Egypt. Elohim was with him, 10 and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

7:1 My son, guard my words. Lay up my commandments within you. 2 Guard my commandments and live! Guard my teaching as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Tell wisdom, “You are my sister.” Call understanding your relative, 5 that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words. 6 For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice. 7 I saw among the simple ones. I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding, 8 passing through the street near her corner, he went the way to her house, 9 in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness. 10 Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a whore, and with crafty intent. 11 She is loud and defiant. Her feet don’t stay in her house. 12 Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, and lurking at every corner. 13 So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him: 14 “slaughters of peace offerings are with me. Today I have paid my vows. 15 Therefore I came out to meet you, to diligently seek your face, and I have found you. 16 I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let us take our fill of loving until the morning. Let’s solace ourselves with loving. 19 For my husband isn’t at home. He has gone on a long journey. 20 He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.” 21 With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him. 22 He followed her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, as a fool stepping into a noose. 23 Until an arrow strikes through his liver, as a bird hurries to the snare, and doesn’t know that it will cost his life. 24 Now therefore, sons, listen to me. Pay attention to the words of my mouth. 25 Don’t let your heart turn to her ways. Don’t go astray in her paths, 26 for she has thrown down many wounded. Yes, all her slain are a mighty army. 27 Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the rooms of death.

6:11 Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return, I speak as to my children: you also open your hearts. 14 Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 What agreement does Messiah have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement does a temple of Elohim have with idols? For you are a temple of the living Elohim. Even as Elohim said, “I will dwell in them and walk in them. I will be their Elohim and they will be my people.” 17 Therefore Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you. 18 I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

15:14 I myself am also persuaded about you, my brothers,† that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish others. 15 But I write the more boldly to you in part, as reminding you, because of the grace that was given to me by Elohim, 16 that I should be a servant of Messiah Yeshua to the Nations, serving as a priest of the Good News of Elohim, that the offering up of the Nations might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 I have therefore my boasting in Messiah Yeshua in things pertaining to Elohim. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Messiah worked through me, for the obedience of the Nations, by word and deed, 19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of Elohim’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Messiah; 20 yes, making it my aim to proclaim the Good News, not where Messiah was already named, that I might not build on another’s foundation. 21 But, as it is written, “They will see, to whom no news of him came. They who haven’t heard will understand.”

12:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him. 13 For, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a proclaimer? 15 And how will they proclaim unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim the Good News of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” 16 But they didn’t all listen to the glad news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of [Messiah].^(mss)

12:35 Yeshua therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become children of light.” Yeshua said these things, and he departed and hid himself from them. 37 But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they didn’t believe in him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, “Lord, who has believed our report? To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 For this cause they couldn’t believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 “He has blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart, lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, and would turn, and I would heal them.” 41 Isaiah said these things when he saw his glory, and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless even many of the rulers believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue, 43 for they loved men’s praise more than Elohim’s praise.

8:14 When Yeshua came into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. So she got up and served him. 16 When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”

8:29 The Spirit said to Philip, “Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.” 30 Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is silent, so he doesn’t open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away. Who will declare His generation? For his life is taken from the land.” 34 The eunuch answered Philip, “Who is the prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?” 35 Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Yeshua. 36 As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being immersed?” 37 * 38 He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he immersed him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing.

*The Textus Receptus (TR) adds Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” He answered, “I believe that Yeshua the Messiah is the Son of Elohim.”

2:18 Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all respect: not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked. 19 For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward Elohim. 20 For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with Elohim. 21 For you were called to this, because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps, 22 who didn’t sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.” 23 When he was cursed, he didn’t curse back. When he suffered, he didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. You were healed by his wounds. 25 For you were going astray like sheep; but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Mark 15:24 Crucifying him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots on them, what each should take. 25 It was the third hour, and they crucified him. 26 The superscription of his accusation was written over him, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 27 With him they crucified two robbers; one on his right hand, and one on his left. 28 The Scripture was fulfilled, which says, “He was counted with transgressors.”

Luke 22:35 He said to them, “When I sent you out without purse, wallet, and sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword. 37 For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’ For that which concerns me has an end.”

28:4 The Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem; and Shaul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa. 5 When Shaul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 When Shaul inquired of YHWH, YHWH didn’t answer him by dreams, by Urim, or by prophets. 7 Then Shaul said to his servants, “Seek for me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” His servants said to him, “Behold, there is a woman who has a familiar spirit at Endor.” 8 Shaul disguised himself and put on other clothing, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night. Then he said, “Please consult for me by the familiar spirit, and bring me up whomever I will name to you.” 9 The woman said to him, “Behold, you know what Shaul has done, how he has cut off those who have familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?” 10 Shaul swore to her by YHWH, saying, “As YHWH lives, no punishment will happen to you for this thing.” 11 Then the woman said, “Whom will I bring up to you?” He said, “Bring Samuel up for me.” 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!” 13 The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid! What do you see?” The woman said to Saul, “I see an elohim coming up out of the land.” 14 He said to her, “What does he look like?” She said, “An bearded man comes up. He is covered with a robe.” Shaul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and showed respect. 15 Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?” Shaul answered, “I am very distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and Elohim has departed from me, and answers me no more, by prophets, or by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I will do.”

19:23 About that time there arose no small disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen, 25 whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, “Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth. 26 You see and hear that not at Ephesus alone, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are no elohim that are made with hands. 27 Not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be counted as nothing and her majesty destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships.” 28 When they heard this they were filled with anger, and cried out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

16:14 Afterward he was revealed to the Eleven themselves as they sat at the table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they didn’t believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world, and proclaim the Good News to the whole creation. 16 He who believes and is immersed will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages; 18 they will take up nachashim; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

21:10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and reign against reign. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from the heavens. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake.

31 When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of Elohim with boldness.

Additional Readings​

Sirach, or Wisdom of Sirach, and also known as the Book of Ecclesiasticus (abbreviated Ecclus.) or Ben Sira, is a work of ethical teachings, from approximately 200 to 175 B.C., written by the Jewish scribe Ben Sira of Jerusalem, on the inspiration of his father Joshua son of Sirach, sometimes called Jesus son of Sirach or Yeshua ben Eliezer ben Sira. The Sirach was almost completely uncovered in Hebrew in the Dead Sea Scrolls, at Masada, and the Cairo Geniza. The multiplicity of manuscript fragments uncovered in the Cairo Genizah evidence its authoritative status among Egyptian Jewry until the Middle Ages. Quotes from Sirach can be found in Rabbinic literature in multiple places  including the Talmud in Bava Kamma 92b:13 and Hagigah 13a:2. Additionally, the Gospels and other Apostolic Scriptures quote from the Book of Sirach including the Song of Miriam in Luke 1:52 (cf. Sirach 10:14); the description of the seed in Mark 4:5, 16–17 (cf. Sirach 40:15); the statement by Yeshua in Matthew 7:16,20 (cf. Sirach 27:6); and Ya’aqov (James) 1:19 (cf. Sirach 5:11).

49:14 No man was created upon the land such as was Enoch; For he was taken up from the land. 15 Neither was there a man born like to Joseph, A governor of his kindred, a stay of the people: Yes, his bones were visited. 16 Shem and Seth were glorified among men; And above every living thing in the creation is Adam.

11Q13, also 11QMelch or the Melchizedek document, is a fragmentary manuscript among the Dead Sea Scrolls (from Cave 11) which mentions Melchizedek as leader of Elohim’s angels in a war in Heaven against the angels of darkness instead of the more familiar Archangel Michael. The text is an apocalyptic commentary on the Jubilee year of Leviticus 25. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain texts in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, the language of 11Q13 is Hebrew, date of composition is circa 100 B.C.

And concerning that which He said, In [this] year of Jubilee [each of you will return to his property (Lev. 25:13); and likewise, And this is the manner of release:] every creditor will release that which he has lent [to his neighbour. He will not exact it of his neighbour and his brother], for Elohim’s release [has been proclaimed] (Deut. 25:2). [And it will be proclaimed at] the end of days concerning the captives as [He said, To proclaim liberty to the captives (Isa. 61:1). Its interpretation is that He] will assign them to the Sons of Heaven and to the inheritance of Melchizedek; f[or He will cast] their [lot] amid the po[rtions of Melchize]dek, who will return them there and will proclaim to them liberty, forgiving them [the wrong-doings] of all their iniquities. And this thing will [occur] in the first week of the Jubilee that follows the nine Jubilees. And the Day of Atonement is the e[nd of the] tenth [Ju]bilee, when all the Sons of [Light] and the men of the lot of Mel[chi]zedek will be atoned for. [And] a statute concerns them [to prov]ide them with their rewards. For this is the moment of the Year of Grace for Melchizedek. [And h]e will, by his strength, judge the holy ones of Elohim, executing judgement as it is written concerning him in the Songs of David, who said, ELOHIM has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the elohim he holds judgement (Psalms 82:1). And it was concerning him that he said, (Let the assembly of the peoples) return to the height above them; EL (god) will judge the peoples (Psalms 7:7-8). As for that which he s[aid, How long will you] judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah (Psalms 82:2), its interpretation concerns Belial and the spirits of his lot [who] rebelled by turning away from the precepts of Elohim to … And Melchizedek will avenge the vengeance of the judgements of Elohim… and he will drag [them from the hand of] Belial and from the hand of all the sp[irits of] his [lot].And all the ‘elohim [of Justice’] will come to his aid [to] attend to the de[struction] of Belial. And the height is … all the sons of Elohim… this … This is the day of [Peace/Salvation] concerning which [Elohim] spoke [through Isa]iah the prophet, who said, [How] beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who proclaims peace, who brings good news, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion: Your ELOHIM [reigns] (Isa. 52:7). Its interpretation; the mountains are the prophets… and the messenger is the Anointed one of the spirit, concerning whom Dan[iel] said, [Until an anointed one, a prince (Daniel 9:25)] … [And he who brings] good [news], who proclaims [salvation]: it is concerning him that it is written… [To comfort all who mourn, to grant to those who mourn in Zion] (Isa. 61:2-3). To comfort [those who mourn: its interpretation], to make them understand all the ages of t[ime] … In truth … will turn away from Belial… by the judgement[s] of Elohim, as it is written concerning him, [who says toZion] ; your ELOHIM reigns. Zion is …, those who uphold the Covenant, who turn from walking [in] the way of the people. And your ELOHIM is [Melchizedek, who will save them from] the hand of Belial. As for that which He said, Then you will send abroad the trump[et in] all the land (Lev. 25:9) …

The complete Dead Sea scrolls in English Géza Vermès 2003

Genesis 39:1-23 from the Jerusalem Targum aka Targum Pseudo-Jonathan (T)

Composed in Talmudic Israel (c.150 – c.250 AD). Targum Pseudo-Jonathan is a western targum (translation) of the Torah (Pentateuch) from the land of Israel (as opposed to the eastern Babylonian Targum Onkelos). Its correct title was originally Targum Yerushalmi (Jerusalem Targum), which is how it was known in medieval times. But because of a printer’s mistake it was later labeled Targum Jonathan, in reference to Jonathan ben Uzziel. Some editions of the Pentateuch continue to call it Targum Jonathan to this day. Most scholars refer to the text as Targum Pseudo-Jonathan. This targum is more than a mere translation. It includes much Aggadic material collected from various sources as late as the Midrash Rabbah as well as earlier material from the Talmud. It is effectively a combination of a commentary and a translation. In the portions where it is pure translation, it often agrees with the Targum Onkelos. The date of its composition is disputed. It cannot have been completed before the Arabic conquest as it refers to Mohammad’s wife Fatimah, but might have been initially composed in the 4th Century AD. However, some scholars date it in the 14th Century.

Chapter 39 But Joseph was brought down into Mizraim; and Potiphar,[8] . . . a man of Mizraim, a chief of Pharaoh, a chief of the executioners, bought him with the pledge[9] of the Arabians who had brought him down thither. And the Word of the Lord was Joseph’s Helper, and he became a prosperous man in the house of his Mizraite master. And his master saw that the Word of the Lord was his Helper, and that the Lord prospered in his hand all that he did; and Joseph found favour in his eyes, and he served him, and he appointed him superintendent over his house, and all that he had he delivered in his hands. [JERUSALEM. And he delivered in his hands and appointed him superintendent.]

And it was from the time he appointed him superintendent over his house, and over all that he had, the Lord prospered the house of the Mizraite for the sake of the righteousness of Joseph, and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and took no knowledge of anything of his, except his wife with whom he lay.

And Joseph was of goodly form and beautiful aspect. And it was after these things that the wife of his master lifted up her eyes to Joseph, and said, Lie with me. But he refused to come near her, and said to his master’s wife, Behold, my master taketh no knowledge of what is with me in the house, and all he hath he delivereth into my hand; there is none in the house greater than I nor hath he restricted me from anything but thyself, because thou art his wife: and how can I do this great wickedness, and become guilty before the Lord ? And it was when she spake with Joseph this day and the next, and be hearkened not to her to lie with her, lest with her he should be condemned in the day of the great judgment of the world to come; it was on a certain day that he entered the house to examine the tablets of his accounts, and there was no man of the house within; that she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and went forth into the street. And when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and had gone forth into the street, that she called the men of the house and said, See this, which the Hebrew man hath done whom your master hath brought to mock us. He came in to lie with me, and I cried with a high voice. And when he heard that I lifted up my voice, he left his garment with me, and went forth into the street. And she let the garment remain until his master came into his house; and she spake to him according to these words, saying The Hebrew servant whom thou broughtest to us came in to me to mock me. [JERUSALEM. And it was when I thundered with my voice.]

And when his master heard the words which his wife spake with him, saying, According to these things did thy servant to me, his wrath became strong. And Joseph’s master took counsel of the priests, who put him not to death, but delivered him into the house of the bound, where the king’s prisoners were bound; and he was there in the house of the bound. [JERUSALEM. In the prison house.] And the Word of the Lord was Joseph’s Helper, and extended mercy to him, and gave him favour in the eyes of the captain of the prison. And the captain of the prison confided all the prisoners who were in the house to Joseph’s hands, and whatsoever was done there he commanded to be done. It was not needful for the captain of the prison to watch Joseph, after the custom of all prisoners, because be saw that there was no fault in his hands; for the Word of the Lord was his Helper, and that which he did the Lord made it to prosper.

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Josephus was born Joseph ben Mattathias in 37 AD in Jerusalem of a priestly and royal family. He excelled in his studies of Jewish law and studied with the Sadducees, Pharisees, and the Essenes, eventually aligning himself with the Pharisees. In 62 AD he went to Rome to free some imprisoned priests. After accomplishing this mission through the intercession of Nero’s wife, Poppaea, he returned to Jerusalem in 65 AD to find the country in revolt against Rome. Josephus shrewdly reinterpreted the Messianic prophecies. He predicted that Vespasian would become the ruler of the ‘entire world’. His prophecy became true in 68 AD when Nero committed suicide and Vespasian became Ceasar. As a result, Josephus was freed; he moved to Rome and became a Roman citizen, taking the Vespasian family name Flavius. Vespasian commissioned Josephus to write a history of the war, which he finished in 78 AD, the Jewish War. His second major work, the Antiquities of the Jews, was completed in 93 AD. The extant manuscripts of the book Antiquities of the Jews contain two references to Yeshua of Nazareth (18.3.3. and 20.9.1.) and one reference to the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist (18.5.2.).

2.4.1. Now Potiphar, an Egyptian, who was chief cook to king Pharaoh, bought Joseph of the merchants, who sold him to him. He had him in the greatest honor, and taught him the learning that became a free man, and gave him leave to make use of a diet better than was allotted to slaves. He entrusted also the care of his house to him. So he enjoyed these advantages, yet did not he leave that virtue which he had before, upon such a change of his condition; but he demonstrated that wisdom was able to govern the uneasy passions of life, in such as have it in reality, and do not only put it on for a show, under a present state of prosperity.

2.4.2. For when his master’s wife was fallen in love with him, both on account of his beauty of body, and his dexterous management of affairs; and supposed, that if she should make it known to him, she could easily persuade him to come and lie with her, and that he would look upon it as a piece of happy fortune that his mistress should entreat him, as regarding that state of slavery he was in, and not his moral character, which continued after his condition was changed. So she made known her naughty inclinations, and spake to him about lying with her. However, he rejected her entreaties, not thinking it agreeable to religion to yield so far to her, as to do what would tend to the affront and injury of him that purchased him, and had vouchsafed him so great honors. He, on the contrary, exhorted her to govern that passion; and laid before her the impossibility of her obtaining her desires, which he thought might be conquered, if she had no hope of succeeding; and he said, that as to himself, he would endure any thing whatever before he would be persuaded to it; for although it was fit for a slave, as he was, to do nothing contrary to his mistress, he might well be excused in a case where the contradiction was to such sort of commands only. But this opposition of Joseph, when she did not expect it, made her still more violent in her love to him; and as she was sorely beset with this naughty passion, so she resolved to compass her design by a second attry.

2.4.3. When, therefore, there was a public festival coming on, in which it was the custom for women to come to the public solemnity; she pretended to her husband that she was sick, as contriving an opportunity for solitude and leisure, that she might entreat Joseph again. Which opportunity being obtained, she used more kind words to him than before; and said that it had been good for him to have yielded to her first solicitation, and to have given her no repulse, both because of the reverence he ought to bear to her dignity who solicited him, and because of the vehemence of her passion, by which she was forced though she were his mistress to condescend beneath her dignity; but that he may now, by taking more prudent advice, wipe off the imputation of his former folly; for whether it were that he expected the repetition of her solicitations she had now made, and that with greater earnestness than before, for that she had pretended sickness on this very account, and had preferred his conversation before the festival and its solemnity; or whether he opposed her former discourses, as not believing she could be in earnest; she now gave him sufficient security, by thus repeating her application, that she meant not in the least by fraud to impose upon him; and assured him, that if he complied with her affections, he might expect the enjoyment of the advantages he already had; and if he were submissive to her, he should have still greater advantages; but that he must look for revenge and hatred from her, in case he rejected her desires, and preferred the reputation of chastity before his mistress; for that he would gain nothing by such procedure, because she would then become his accuser, and would falsely pretend to her husband, that he had attested her chastity; and that Potiphar would hearken to her words rather than to his, let his be ever so agreeable to the truth.

2.4.4. When the woman had said thus, and even with tears in her eyes, neither did pity dissuade Joseph from his chastity, nor did fear compel him to a compliance with her; but he opposed her solicitations, and did not yield to her threatenings, and was afraid to do an ill thing, and chose to undergo the sharpest punishment rather than to enjoy his present advantages, by doing what his own conscience knew would justly deserve that he should die for it. He also put her in mind that she was a married woman, and that she ought to cohabit with her husband only; and desired her to suffer these considerations to have more weight with her than the short pleasure of covetous dalliance, which would bring her to repentance afterwards, would cause trouble to her, and yet would not amend what had been done amiss. He also suggested to her the fear she would be in lest they should be caught; and that the advantage of concealment was uncertain, and that only while the wickedness was not known [would there be any quiet for them]; but that she might have the enjoyment of her husband’s company without any danger. And he told her, that in the company of her husband she might have great boldness from a good conscience, both before Elohim and before men. Nay, that she would act better like his mistress, and make use of her authority over him better while she persisted in her chastity, than when they were both ashamed for what wickedness they had been guilty of; and that it is much better to a life, well and known to have been so, than upon the hopes of the concealment of evil practices.

2.4.5. Joseph, by saying this, and more, tried to restrain the violent passion of the woman, and to reduce her affections within the rules of reason; but she grew more ungovernable and earnest in the matter; and since she despaired of persuading him, she laid her hands upon him, and had a mind to force him. But as soon as Joseph had got away from her anger, leaving also his garment with her, for he left that to her, and leaped out of her chamber, she was greatly afraid lest he should discover her lewdness to her husband, and greatly troubled at the affront he had offered her; so she resolved to be beforehand with him, and to accuse Joseph falsely to Potiphar, and by that means to revenge herself on him for his pride and contempt of her; and she thought it a wise thing in itself, and also becoming a woman, thus to prevent his accusation. Accordingly she sat sorrowful and in confusion, framing herself so hypocritically and angrily, that the sorrow, which was really for her being disappointed of her coveting, might appear to be for the attry upon her chastity; so that when her husband came home, and was disturbed at the sight of her and inquired what was the cause of the disorder she was in, she began to accuse Joseph: and, “O husband,” said she, “mayst thou not live a day longer if thou dost not punish the wicked slave who has desired to defile thy bed; who has neither minded who he was when he came to our house, so as to behave himself with modesty; nor has he been mindful of what favors he had received from thy bounty [as he must be an ungrateful man indeed, unless he, in every respect, carry himself in a manner agreeable to us]: this man, I say, laid a private design to abuse thy wife, and this at the time of a festival, observing when thou wouldst be absent. So that it now is clear that his modesty, as it appeared to be formerly, was only because of the restraint he was in out of fear of thee, but that he was not really of a good disposition. This has been occasioned by his being advanced to honor beyond what he deserved, and what he hoped for; insomuch that he concluded, that he who was deemed fit to be trusted with thy estate and the government of thy family, and was preferred above thy eldest servants, might be allowed to touch thy wife also.” Thus when she had ended her discourse, she showed him his garment, as if he then left it with her when he attested to force her. But Potiphar not being able to disbelieve what his wife’s tears showed, and what his wife said, and what he saw himself, and being seduced by his love to his wife, did not set himself about the examination of the truth; but taking it for granted that his wife was a modest woman, and condemning Joseph as a wicked man, he threw him into the malefactors’ prison; and had a still higher opinion of his wife, and bare her witness that she was a woman of a becoming modesty and chastity.

5.1 Now Joseph, commending all his affairs to Elohim, did not betake himself to make his defense, nor to give an account of the exact circumstances of the fact, but silently underwent the bonds and the distress he was in, firmly believing that Elohim, who knew the cause of his affliction, and the truth of the fact, would be more powerful than those that inflicted the punishments upon him:—a proof of whose providence he quickly received; for the keeper of the prison taking notice of his care and fidelity in the affairs he had set him about, and the dignity of his countenance, relaxed his bonds, and thereby made his heavy calamity lighter, and more supportable to him. He also permitted him to make use of a diet better than that of the rest of the prisoners.