• Torah (T): Bereshiyt (Genesis) 40:1-23
• Prophets (P): Amos 1:3 – 2:6
• Apostolic (A): Matthew 5:1-16
• Additional (ADD): Jubilees 39:14-18

RELATED SCRIPTURES

• Deuteronomy 29:29 (T)
• Job 33:12-17 (T)
• Psalms 25:14 (T)
• Psalms 118:8-9 (T)
• Jeremiah 17:5-10 (T)
• Matthew 14:1-12, Mark 6:12-30 (T)
• Isaiah 57:13-15; Isaiah 66:1-2 (A)
• Isaiah 61:1-2; Isaiah 66:10-13 (A)
• Psalms 37:7-11 (A)

RELATED ADDITIONAL READINGS

• Tobit 1:22 (T)
• Sirach 34:1-7 (T)
• Genesis 40:1-23 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)

40:1 After these things, the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker sinned against their lord, the king of Egypt. 2 Pharaoh was angry with his two [eunuchs],^(LXX)(MTT) the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. 3 He put them in custody in the house of the chief of the cooks, into the prison house, the place where Joseph was bound. 4 The chief of the cooks assigned them to Joseph, and he took care of them. They stayed in prison many days. 5 They both dreamed a dream, each man his dream, in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were bound in the prison house. 6 Joseph came in to them in the morning, and saw them, and saw that they were sad. 7 He asked Pharaoh's [eunuchs]^(LXX)(MTT) who were with him in custody in his master's house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?” 8 They said to him, “We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it.” Joseph said to them, “Don't interpretations belong to Elohim? Please tell it to me.” 9 The chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, “In my dream, behold, a vine was in front of me, 10 and in the vine were three branches. It was as though it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters produced ripe grapes. 11 Pharaoh's cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.” 12 Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. 13 Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office. You will give Pharaoh's cup into his hand, the way you did when you were his cupbearer. 14 But remember me when it is well with you. Please show kindness to me, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house. 15 For indeed, I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.” 16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, “I also was in my dream, and behold, three baskets of white bread were on my head. 17 In the uppermost basket there were all kinds of baked food for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head.” 18 Joseph answered, “This is its interpretation. The three baskets are three days. 19 Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head from off you, and will hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from off you.” 20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he made a feast for all his servants, and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position again, and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand; 22 but he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief cupbearer didn't remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Prophets Portion (P)

1:3 YHWH says: “For three transgressions of Damascus, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because they have threshed [the pregnant women of]^(DSS)(LXX) Gilead with threshing instruments of iron; 4 but I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, and it will devour the palaces of Ben Hadad. 5 I will break the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the valley of Aven, and him who holds the scepter from the house of Eden; and the people of Syria will go into captivity to Kir,” says YHWH. 6 YHWH says: “For three transgressions of Gaza, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because they carried away captive the whole community, to deliver them up to Edom; 7 but I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, and it will devour its palaces. 8 I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him who holds the scepter from Ashkelon; and I will turn my hand against Ekron; and the remnant of the Philistines will perish,” says [YHWH].^(LXX) 9 YHWH says: “For three transgressions of Tyre, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because they delivered up the whole community to Edom, and didn’t remember the brotherly covenant; 10 but I will send a fire on the wall of Tyre, and it will devour its palaces.” 11 YHWH says: “For three transgressions of Edom, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because he pursued his brother with the sword, and cast off all pity, and his anger raged continually, and he kept his wrath forever; 12 but I will send a fire on Teman, and it will devour the palaces of Bozrah.” 13 YHWH says: “For three transgressions of the sons of Ammon, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because they have ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead, that they may enlarge their border. 14 But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it will devour its palaces, with shouting in the day of battle, with a storm in the day of the whirlwind; 15 and their king will go into captivity, he and his princes together,” says YHWH. 2 YHWH says: “For three transgressions of Moab, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime; 2:1 but I will send a fire on Moab, and it will devour the palaces of Kerioth; and Moab will die with tumult, with shouting, and with the voice of the shofar; 3 and I will cut off the judge from among them, and will kill all its princes with him,” says YHWH. 4 YHWH says: “For three transgressions of Judah, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because they have rejected the Torah of YHWH, and have not guarded his statutes, and their lies [which they made],^(LXX) after which their fathers walked, have led them astray; 5 but I will send a fire on Judah, and it will devour the palaces of Jerusalem.” 6 YHWH says: “For three transgressions of Israel, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because they have sold the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals…

Apostolic Portion (A)

5:1 Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 He opened his mouth and taught them, saying, 3 “Happy are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the reign of the heavens. 4 Happy are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Happy are the meek, for they will inherit the land. 6 Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Happy are the merciful, for they will obtain mercy. 8 Happy are the pure in heart, for they will see Elohim. 9 Happy are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of Elohim. 10 Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the reign of the heavens. 11 “Happy are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in the heavens. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 “You are the salt of the land, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. 15 Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. 16 Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in the heavens.

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..

39:14 And he remained there two years. And in those days Pharaoh, king of Egypt, was wroth against his two eunuchs, against the chief butler and against the chief baker, and he put them in ward in the house of the chief cook, in the prison where Joseph was kept. 15. And the chief of the prison guards appointed Joseph to serve them; and he served before them. 16. And they both dreamed a dream, the chief butler and the chief baker, and they told it to Joseph. 17. And as he interpreted to them so it befell them, and Pharaoh restored the chief butler to his office, and the (chief) baker he slew, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 18. But the chief butler forgot Joseph in the prison, although he had informed him what would befall him, and did not remember to inform Pharaoh how Joseph had told him for he forgot.

Related Scriptures

29:29 The secret things belong to YHWH our Elohim; but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may do all the words of this Torah.

33:12 “Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for Elohim is greater than man. 13 Why do you strive against him, because he doesn’t give account of any of his matters? 14 For Elohim speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed; 16 Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction, 17 that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

25:14 The secret council of YHWH is with those who fear him. He will show them his covenant.

118:8 It is better to take refuge in YHWH, than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in YHWH, than to put confidence in princes.

17:5 YHWH says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man, relies on strength of flesh, and whose heart departs from YHWH. 6 For he will be like a bush in the desert, and will not see when good comes, but will inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, an uninhabited salt land. 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in YHWH, and whose confidence is in YHWH. 8 For he will be as a tree planted by the waters, who spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes, but its leaf will be green, and will not be concerned in the year of drought. It won’t cease from yielding fruit. 9 The heart is deceitful above all things and it is exceedingly corrupt. Who can know it? 10 “I, YHWH, search the mind. I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”

Matthew 14:1 At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Yeshua, 2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Immerser. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him.” 3 For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 For John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. 6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod. 7 Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask. 8 She, being prompted by her mother, said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Immerser.” 9 The king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths and of those who sat at the table with him, he commanded it to be given, 10 and he sent and beheaded John in the prison. 11 His head was brought on a platter and given to the young lady; and she brought it to her mother. 12 His disciples came, took the body, and buried it. Then they went and told Yeshua.

Mark 6:12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick and healed them. 14 King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, “John the Immerser has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets.” 16 But Herod, when he heard this, said, “This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.” 17 For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her. 18 For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 Herodias set herself against him and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly. 21 Then a convenient day came when Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23 He swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my reign.” 24 She went out and said to her mother, “What will I ask?” She said, “The head of John the Immerser.” 25 She came in immediately with haste to the king and requested, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Immerser on a platter.” 26 The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths and of his dinner guests, he didn’t wish to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard and commanded to bring John’s head; and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb. 30 The emissaries gathered themselves together to Yeshua, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught.

Isaiah 57:13 When you cry, let those whom you have gathered deliver you, but the wind will take them. A breath will carry them all away, but he who takes refuge in me will possess the land, and will inherit my holy mountain.” 14 He will say, “Build up, build up, prepare the way! Remove the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.” 15 For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, says: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a crushed and afflicted spirit, to revive the spirit of the afflicted, and to revive the heart of the crushed.

Isaiah 66:1 YHWH says: “Heaven is my throne, and the land is my footstool. What kind of house will you build to me? Where will I rest? 2 For my hand has made all these things, and so all these things came to be,” says YHWH: “but I will look to this man, even to he who is afflicted and of a crushed spirit, and who trembles at my word.

Isaiah 61:1 the spirit of the Lord YHWH is on me, because YHWH has anointed me to preach good news to the afflicted. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and [recovering of sight to the blind]*, 2 to proclaim the year of the favor of YHWH and the day of vengeance of our Elohim, to comfort all who mourn

Isaiah 66:10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her. Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn over her; 11 that you may nurse and be satisfied at the comforting breasts; that you may drink deeply, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.” 12 For YHWH says, “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream, and you will nurse. You will be carried on her side, and will be dandled on her knees. 13 As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem.”

*The Masoretic text reads, “release to those who are bound”, however, both the Septuagint (LXX) and Dead Sea Scrolls from 250 B.C. and earlier read, “recovery of sight to the blind,” and matches Luke’s quotation of this verse in Luke 4:18.

37:7 Rest in YHWH, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret; it leads only to evildoing. 9 For evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait for YHWH will inherit the land. 10 For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more. Yes, though you look for his place, he isn’t there. 11 But the humble will inherit the land, and will delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Additional Readings​

Tobit, also called The Book of Tobias, found its way into the Roman Catholic canon via the Septuagint. Before the 1952 discovery of Aramaic and Hebrew fragments of Tobit among the Dead Sea Scrolls in a cave at Qumran, scholars believed Tobit was not included in the Jewish canon because of late authorship, estimated to 100 A.D.. Qumran fragments of the text, which were copied between 100 B.C. to 25 A.D., evidence a much earlier origin than previously thought. These fragments evidence authorship no later than the 2nd century B.C. and, likely, contemporary with the date ascribed, by modern scholars, to the final compilation of the Book of Daniel, which did attain canonical status.

1:22 Achiacharus requested me, and I came to Nineveh. Now Achiacharus was cupbearer, keeper of the signet, steward, and overseer of the accounts. Sarchedonus appointed him next to himself, but he was my brother’s son.

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).

34:1 Vain and false hopes are for a man void of understanding. Dreams give wings to fools. 2 As one who grasps at a shadow and follows after the wind, so is he who sets his mind on dreams. 3 The vision of dreams is a reflection, the likeness of a face near a face. 4 From an unclean thing what can be cleansed? From that which is false what can be true? 5 Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain. The heart has fantasies like a woman in labor. 6 If they are not sent in a inspection from the Most High, don’t give your heart to them. 7 For dreams have led many astray. They have failed by putting their hope in them.

Composed in Talmudic Israel (c.150 – c.250 A.D.). 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 A.D.. However, some scholars date it in the 14th Century.

Chapter 40 And after these things it was shown, saying The chief of the butlers of the king of Mizraim, and the chief of the bakers, have offended; having taken counsel to throw the poison of death into his food, and into his drink, to kill their master the king of Mizraim. And Pharaoh was angry when he heard concerning his two servants, the chief cup‑bearer and the chief baker. And he gave them in ward in the house of the chief executioner, the prison house where Joseph was confined. And the chief executioner entrusted Joseph with them, and he served them, and they were certain days in the house of custody. And they dreamed a dream, both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man his own dream, and the interpretation of his companion’s dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Mizraim who were confined in the prison. And Joseph came to them in the morning, and saw them, and, behold, they were troubled. And Joseph asked the chiefs of Pharaoh who were with him in the custody of his master’s house, saying, Why is the look of your faces more evil today than all the other days that you have been here? And they said to him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter for it. And Joseph answered, Are not the interpretations of dreams from the Lord? Tell it now to me. And the chief of the butlers related his dream to Joseph, and said to him, I saw in my dream, and, behold, a vine was before me. And in the vine were three branches; and as it sprouted it brought forth buds, and immediately they ripened into clusters, and became grapes. And I gave the cup of Pharaoh into my hand, and I took the grapes, and expressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand. And Joseph said to him, This is the end of the interpretations of the dream. The three branches are the three Fathers of the world, Abraham, Izhak, and Jakob, the children of whose sons are to be enslaved in Mizraim in clay and brick (work,) and in all labour of the face of the field: but afterwards will the be delivered by the hand of three shepherds. As thou hast said, I took the grapes and expressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and gave the cup Into Pharaoh’s hand: It is the vial of wrath which Pharaoh (himself) is to drink at the last. But thou, the chief butler shalt receive a good reward concerning the good dream which thou hast dreamed; and the interpretation of it, to thyself, is this: The three branches are three days until thy liberation. At the end of three days the memory of thee will come before Pharaoh and he will lift up thy head with honour, and restore thee to thy service, and thou wilt give the cup of Pharaoh into his hand, according to thy former custom in pouring out for him. [JERUSALEM. And Joseph said, This is the interpretations of the dream: The three branches are the three Fathers of the world, Abraham, Izhak, and Jakob the children of whose sons will be enslaved in the land of Mizriam and will be delivered by the hand of three faithful pastors, who may be likened to the clusters. And whereas thou hast said, I took the grapes and expressed them into the cup of Pharaoh and gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand: It is the cup of retribution which Pharaoh is to drink at the last. As to thyself, the chief of the butlers, thou wilt not lose thy reward; for this dream which thou hast dreamed is good. Nevertheless the interpretation of the dream (as relating to himself) Joseph had not told him; but afterwards he explained it, when it pleased him. And Joseph said to him, The three branches are three days.] Joseph, leaving his higher trust and retaining confidence in a man, said to the chief butler, But be thou mindful of me when it will be well with thee, and act kindly by me, and remember me before Pharaoh and obtain my deliverance from this prison house. For I was verily carried away dishonestly from the land of the Hivraee and here also I have done nothing evil, that they should put me in prison. And the chief baker, when he understood the interpretation of his companion’s dream, seeing that he had interpreted well, began to speak with an impatient tongue, and said to Joseph, I also saw in my dream, and, behold, three baskets of fine cakes were upon my head; [JERUSALEM. And, behold, three baskets of hot loaves were upon my head;] and in the upper basket of all delicious meat for Pharaoh made by the confectioner and the birds ate them from the basket upon my head. Joseph answered and said, This is its interpretation. The three baskets are the three enslavements with which the house of Israel are to be enslaved. But thou, the chief of the bakers, wilt receive an evil award, by the dream which thou hast dreamed. And Joseph explained it, as it was proper in his eyes and said to him: This is its interpretation to thyself. The three baskets are three days until thy death. At the end of three days, Pharaoh with the sword will take away thy head from thy body, and will hang thee upon a gibbet, and the birds will cut thy flesh from thee. [JERUSALEM And he said to him, The three baskets are the three heavy enslavements which are to happen to the house of Israel in the land of Mizriam in clay and in bricks, and in all work on the face of the field. It will be that Pharaoh kin, of Mizriam will decree evil decrees against Israel and throw their children into the river. Nevertheless, Pharaoh will perish, and his host be destroyed, but the sons of Israel will go forth redeemed with uncovered head. And thou, the chief of the bakers wilt receive punishment; for this dream which thou bast dreamed is evil. But the interpretation of the dream Joseph did not (at once) make known to him; but afterwards Joseph expounded it, When it pleased him. And Joseph said to him, This is the interpretation of the dream. The three baskets are three days.] And it was on the third day, the nativity of Pharaoh that he made a feast to all his servants. And he lifted up the head of the chief butler, and the head of the chief baker, in the midst of his servants. And he restored the chief butler to his butlership, because he found he had not been in that counsel. And he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand. But the chief baker he hanged, because he had taken counsel to kill him, even as Joseph had expounded to them. But because, Joseph had withdrawn from the mercy that is above, and had put his confidence in the chief butler, he waited on the flesh. Therefore the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him, until from the Lord came the time of the end that he should be released. [JERUSALEM. Joseph left the mercy above, and the mercy beneath, and the mercy which accompanied him from his father’s house, and put his confidence in the chief butler: he trusted in the flesh, and the flesh he tasted of, even the cup of death. Neither did he remember the scripture where it is written expressly, Cursed will be the man who trusteth in the flesh, and setteth the flesh as his confidence. Blessed will be the man who trusteth in the Name of the Word of the Lord, and whose confidence is the Word of the Lord. Therefore the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him, until the time of the end came that he should be released.]

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.).

2.5.1 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. Now, as his fellow prisoners, when their hard labors were over, fell to discoursing one among another, as is usual in such as are equal sufferers, and to inquire one of another what were the occasions of their being condemned to a prison: among them the king’s cupbearer, and one that had been respected by him, was put in bonds, upon the king’s anger at him. This man was under the same bonds with Joseph, and grew more familiar with him; and upon his observing that Joseph had a better understanding than the rest had, he told him of a dream he had, and desired he would interpret its meaning, complaining that, besides the afflictions he underwent from the king, Elohim did also add to him trouble from his dreams.

2.5.2. He therefore said, that in his sleep he saw three clusters of grapes hanging upon three branches of a vine, large already, and ripe for gathering; and that he squeezed them into a cup which the king held in his hand; and when he had strained the wine, he gave it to the king to drink, and that he received it from him with a pleasant countenance. This, he said, was what he saw; and he desired Joseph, that if he had any portion of understanding in such matters, he would tell him what this vision foretold. Who bid him be of good cheer, and expect to be loosed from his bonds in three days’ time, because the king desired his service, and was about to restore him to it again; for he let him know that Elohim bestows the fruit of the vine upon men for good; which wine is poured out to him, and is the pledge of fidelity and mutual confidence among men; and puts an end to their quarrels, takes away passion and grief out of the minds of them that use it, and makes them cheerful. “Thou sayest that thou didst squeeze this wine from three clusters of grapes with thine hands, and that the king received it: know, therefore, that this vision is for thy good, and foretells a release from thy present distress within the same number of days as the branches had whence thou gatheredst thy grapes in thy sleep. However, remember what prosperity I have foretold thee when thou hast found it true by experience; and when thou art in authority, do not overlook us in this prison, wherein thou wilt leave us when thou art gone to the place we have foretold; for we are not in prison for any crime; but for the sake of our virtue and sobriety are we condemned to suffer the penalty of malefactors, and because we are not willing to injure him that has thus distressed us, though it were for our own pleasure.” The cupbearer, therefore, as was natural to do, rejoiced to hear such an interpretation of his dream, and waited the completion of what had been thus shown him beforehand.

2.5.3. But another servant there was of the king, who had been chief baker, and was now bound in prison with the cupbearer; he also was in good hope, upon Joseph’s interpretation of the other’s vision, for he had seen a dream also; so he desired that Joseph would tell him what the visions he had seen the night before might mean. They were these that follow:—”Methought,” says he, “I carried three baskets upon my head; two were full of loaves, and the third full of sweetmeats and other eatables, such as are prepared for kings; but that the fowls came flying, and eat them all up, and had no regard to my attry to drive them away.” And he expected a prediction like to that of the cupbearer. But Joseph, considering and reasoning about the dream, said to him, that he would willingly be an interpreter of good events to him, and not of such as his dream denounced to him; but he told him that he had only three days in all to live, for that the [three] baskets signify, that on the third day he should be crucified, and devoured by fowls, while he was not able to help himself. Now both these dreams had the same several events that Joseph foretold they should have, and this to both the parties; for on the third day before mentioned, when the king solemnized his birthday, he crucified the chief baker, but set the butler free from his bonds, and restored him to his former ministration.

2.5.4. But Elohim freed Joseph from his confinement, after he had endured his bonds two years, and had received no assistance from the cupbearer, who did not remember what he had said to him formerly; and Elohim contrived this method of deliverance for him…