Genesis 45
Genesis Chapter 45 KJV
Verse 01. Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he
cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him,
while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.
Key Phrase: Then Joseph could not refrain himself; That he should not weep, as the Targum
of Jonathan adds. At least he could not much longer refrain from tears, such an
effect Judah's speech had on his passions.
Key Phrase: before all them that stood before him; These would have been his servants that
attended him and waited upon him. The steward of his house and other ranking
officials that worked for Joseph. On whose account he put such a demand upon
himself to keep in his passions from giving vent. That they might not discover the
inward emotions of his mind.
Note: He did not wish to pain his brethren by a public reference to their past wickedness. Also
so there would be no restraint upon himself or his brethren when he made known to
them that he was the brother whom they had so cruelly years ago condemned to be a
slave.
Key Phrase: and he cried; Or called out with a loud voice and with an air of authority.
Key Phrase: cause every man to go out from me; Out of the room which he and his brethren
were in. Perhaps this order was given to the steward of the house to depart
himself, and to remove every inferior officer and servant upon the spot. There
would have been other Egyptian people that might be come in to hear the trial of
these men and to see how they would be dealt with.
Key Phrase: and there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his
brethren; Not that Joseph was ashamed of them or informing them the relation
he was to them. But that they might not see the confusion his brethren would be
thrown into. Or have any knowledge of the sin they had been guilty of in selling
him which could not fail of being mentioned by him and confessed by them. And
besides, it was not suitable to his grandeur and dignity to be seen in such an
extreme passion he was now able to let them see.
Verse 02. And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.
Key Phrase: And he wept aloud; Or "gave forth his voice in weeping" or as he wept he cried
aloud; for having put such a violent restraint on himself, as the flood of tears was
the greater, so his voice was the stronger and louder for it. Some say it was the
release of frustration, anger, hurt or pain in his heart that he let go of that caused
him to weep out so loud. 1.
Note: To express grief, sorrow, or any overpowering emotion by shedding tears releases the
soul of the person to heal and find peace. Joseph had not had peace since he was 17
years old.
Key Phrase: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard; The Egyptians would have
been the servants outside the room or that were in the room or rooms adjoining
to where Joseph was, heard his cry and perhaps a great deal of what was said.
Which they soon reported to others and it quickly reached Pharaoh's court, which
might not be at any great distance from Josephs dwelling.
Note: Amazing how fast news travels even in the days without electronic devices.
Verse 03. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his
brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.
Key Phrase: And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; As soon as he could compose
himself a little, and utter his words, the first thing he said was, that he was Joseph
and that was his right name, his Hebrew name. He was called by the Egyptians
Zaphnathpaaneah, and by which name Joseph's brethren only knew him.
Note: We must also consider the fact that he looked like an Egyptian. No beard of dark skin
from years in the sun. He would not look like the Joseph they remembered.
Key Phrase: doth my father yet live? This he knew before as they had told him he was alive.
This he puts the question to them not through ignorance, or as doubting but to
express his affliction for his father and his joy that he was alive.
Key Phrase: and his brethren could not answer him; They were so surprised and astonished.
They were like men thunderstruck or we say today in shock trying to wrap there
minds around this startling information. They were not able to utter a word.
Key Phrase: for they were troubled at his presence; The replay of the sin of selling him came
fresh into their minds, the guilt of it pressed their consciences. The circumstances
that they were there to see Joseph for filled them with fear that he would avenge
himself on them.
Verse 04. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came
near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.
Key Phrase: And Joseph said unto his brethren, come near to me, I pray you; Very probably
Joseph sat in a chair of state, while they were under examination. Through
reverence of him they kept at a proper distance. Jarchi remarks that they drew
back at his words. Joseph encourages them in a kind and tender manner to come
nearer to him. (continued)
2.
Key Phrase: and they came near, and he said, I am Joseph your brother; Not only his name
was Joseph, but he was that Joseph that was their brother. By this he claims and
owns the relation between them. Which must be very frightening to them, who
had used him and disposed of him so unkindly.
Key Phrase: whom ye sold into Egypt: (Here is the kicker in the verse.) Joseph added it not so
much to put them in mind of their sin, but to assure them that he was really their
brother Joseph. Which he could not have related had he not been who he was
claiming to be. Also to lead on to what he had further to say to them.
Verse 05. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for
God did send me before you to preserve life.
Key Phrase: Now therefore be not grieved; An excess, swallowed up with much sorrow;
otherwise it became them to be grieved for their sin, and to show a godly sorrow
and true repentance for it.
Key Phrase: nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; Reflect upon themselves and
afflict themselves in an immoderate way; or break forth into anger and wrath with
one another, upbraiding and blaming each other for their conduct in that affair.
Key Phrase: for God did send me before you to preserve life; The life of thousands of persons
in Egypt, Canaan, and other countries. Particularly to preserve their lives was he
sent before them into Egypt. Where by his interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams, and
the gift of authority by Pharaoh Joseph was able to a sufficiency of corn in the time
of plenty. So to answer the urgency and demand of various countries in the time
of famine. Thus for his own family and therefore would have this attributed by
them to the wise disposing providence of God.
Verse 06. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years,
in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.
Key Phrase: For these two years hath the famine been, in the land; In the land of Egypt and in
the countries round about.
Note: Which gives us a specific time period to measure by.
Key Phrase: and yet there are five years; These are still remaining, which he knew by the
above dreams and the interpretation of them.
Key Phrase: shall neither be earing nor harvest; That is to mean no cultivating of land, neither
Ploughing. Sowing and no reaping. They will be no gathering in of the fruits of the
earth, as used to be in harvest. There would be very little ground tilled, only near
it may be on the banks of the Nile.
3.
Note: The Egyptians knew by Joseph's prediction that the Nile would not overflow so it served
no purpose to attempt to plough their land, which through seven years of drought it
would be become very difficult to sow the seed into the ground, since there was no
likelihood of its springing up again.
Verse 07. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save
your lives by a great deliverance.
Key Phrase: And God sent me before you; This he repeats to impress in their minds of his
brethren with a sense of the good providence of God in bringing him to Egypt
before them to make provision for their future welfare. Joseph sees it was a way
alleviate their grief. Trying to prevent an excessive sorrow for their selling him
into Egypt when by the overruling hand of God it proved so salutary to them.
Key Phrase: to preserve you a posterity in the earth; That they and theirs might not perish,
which otherwise would have most likely been the case. Joseph remembered that
the promise of the multiplication of Abraham's seed might not lost, but continue
to take place, from whence the Messiah was to arise from.
Key Phrase: and to save your lives by a great deliverance; From the extreme danger they
were exposed to through the terrible famine. In which deliverance were to be
observed the great wisdom, goodness, power, and providence of God.
Verse 08. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father
to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
Key Phrase: So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God; Which is to be understood
even they sold him to the Ishmaelites, who brought him down to Egypt and
sold him to Potiphar, being instrumental in his coming to Egypt. But Joseph sees
it was not they so much as God that sent him. God’s providence directed,
disposed, and overruled all those events, to bring Joseph to this place, and to such
an high station. The purposes and designs of God in providing for and preserving
Jacob's family in a time of distress.
Key Phrase: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh: This clarifies what we thought earlier
that Joseph was older than the Pharaoh. He would be a teacher to him, his
counsellor, to advise him well in all things, as a father his children. Some believe it
was also aligned to be his partner and patron. To have a share with him in power
and authority to be reckoned as a father to him, see Genesis 41:43. It required
Joseph to provide for him and the welfare of his kingdom, as parents do for their
children. The following phrases helps explain Joseph’s title; He a great man,
and a prince (s) in Pharaoh's court, lord of all his house, his prime minister, chief
counsellor and courtier, 4. (continued)
and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt;. To whom all the deputies of the
several provinces were subject under Pharaoh, and especially in the affair of the
corn and the buying and selling of such.
Verse 09. Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God
hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:
Key Phrase: Haste you, and go up to my father; Go immediately into Canaan, which lay north
and east of Egypt. Joseph wanting to know as soon as possible that he was alive,
and in what circumstances he was or in need of.
Key Phrase: and say unto him, thus saith thy son Joseph; Without any title, such as the father
and counsellor of Pharaoh and or Govenor of Egypt. Only his name Joseph, his
son, which would be enough to revive the heart of Jacob.
Key Phrase: God hath made me lord over all Egypt: His exaltation to this position of authority
and dignity he ascribes, not to Pharaoh, but to God;. True civil honor and the
promotion to worldly grandeur and dignity are from God, and not from man.
Key Phrase: come down unto me, tarry not; The famine and the business on his hands would
not permitting him to go to his father and fetch him to Egypt. So he desires that
Jacob would come to him without delay. This would be a great advantage for him
and his family, and he could see to their mutual comfort.
Verse 10. And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou,
and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all
that thou hast:
Key Phrase: And thou shall dwell in the land of Goshen; Called by Artapanus pronounced
Kaisan or Kessan. The Septuagint version Gesan of Arabia, as it was that part of
Egypt which bordered on Arabia. It seems to be the same with the land of
Rameses, see Genesis 47:11; and the Heliopolitan home, which, Strabo says, was
reckoned to be in Arabia, and in which were both the city of Heliopolis and the
city Heroopolis, according to Ptolemy.
See Artapanus; See Strabo; (page 14 of handout)
Note: In the Septuagint version of Genesis 46:28, instead of Goshen it is called Heroopolis, or
the city of the Heroes in the land of Rameses.
Note: Now either before this time Joseph had got a grant of this country, of Pharaoh, to
dispose of at pleasure, or he had so much power and authority unto himself as to put his
father into it.
See Special Note # 1 5.
Key Phrase: and thou shalt be near unto me; As he would be in Goshen, if Memphis was the
royal seat at this time, as some think. Artapanus is very express for it being that
Memphis was the seat of that king of Egypt, in whose court Moses was brought
up. If Joseph dwelt at On or Heliopolis, where his father in law was priest or
prince, which was near if not in Goshen itself.
Key Phrase: thou and thy children, and thy children's children: For Jacob's sons all of them
had children, even Benjamin the youngest, as appears from the following chapter:
Key Phrase; and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast; Knowing that Goshen, being
a place of pasturage, was fit and suitable for them. Josephus says , of Heliopolis,
which he takes to be the place where Jacob was placed, that there the king's
shepherds had their pastures.
Verse 11. And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and
thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.
Key Phrase: And there will I nourish thee; Joseph is going to provide for him Jacob and all of
his family including his brothers here in Egypt.
Key Phrase: for yet there are five years of famine; This he said to them to tell them what God
had revealed to him and what was still to come. Two of the seven only being past.
Key Phrase; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty; His being
Jacob’s who was Israel’s and Abrahams before that, the whole posterity be
consumed or dying out, as it would be in all probability, if he did not procure food
for his family during the famine.
Verse 12. And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my
mouth that speaketh unto you.
Key Phrase: And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin; They were an
eyewitnesses of his being alive, having themselves seen him, and even Benjamin.
Who could not be suspected by his father of a fraud in imposing on him this
unusual request. . There is some thought that some of them could no-doubt
remember his features. Having visible proof of his being the very person, which
they could with great evidence certainly relate unto Jacob.
Key Phrase: that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you; This verse tells us another great
proof here. Because Joseph is without an interpreter, and in the Hebrew language,
is speaking to them. Further proof to their father upon their report, that the
governor was not an Egyptian, but an Hebrew. By that and other concurrent
testimonies of all of them that he must be Joseph.
6.
Verse 13. And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and
ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.
Key Phrase: And you shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt; His wealth and riches, his
grandeur and dignity, his power and authority. His favor given to him by God.
Key Phrase: and of all that you have seen; What a magnificent house he dwelt in, the vast
number of servants he had. That he rode in the second chariot to the king and
the authority he exercised over the people. Most of all the reverence they gave
him as he used that power particularly in the distribution of corn.
Key Phrase: and ye shall haste, and bring down my father hither; Again Joseph is eager in his
desire to see him, wherefore this is repeated.
Verse 14. And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon
his neck.
Key Phrase: And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck and wept; Benjamins first, because
he was his own brother by father and mother's side. He wept over him for joy that
he had a sight of him once more.
Note: The word for "neck" in Hebrew ”הצווא ר “ meaning neck, necks, throat, his neck is in the
plural form and being used, may signify that he fell first on one side of his neck, and
then on the other, to show his great affection for him. We see this today in a lot of
cultures still.
Key Phrase: and Benjamin wept upon his neck; An act to show their love and it was returned
by Benjamin.
Verse 15. Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his
brethren talked with him.
Key Phrase: Moreover, he kissed all his brethren; Each in their turns, to testify his real
affection for them, and a heart felt reconciliation to them. His anger gone and
only love for them shown.
Key Phrase: and wept upon them; That is he did the same upon their necks, as he had on
Benjamin's.
Key Phrase: and after that his brethren talked with him; Being emboldened by his action of
this to them as well as encouraged to believe that he really forgave them their sin
against him. Thus where assured, that he was truly reconciled unto them and had
a real affection for them.
Note: After what he had put them thru they needed to understand and relate to him their
concerns. 7.
Note: That they had no reason to fear he would avenge himself on them. They then entered
into a open conversation with Joseph. They talked of their father and their family and
the concerns of it as well what passed since the time he was separated from them.
Verse 16. And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are
come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.
Key Phrase: And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house; The report was carried to
Pharaoh’s court, and there it was told by some from Joseph's house, who had
overheard what had passed, at least somewhat of it.
Key Phrase: saying, Joseph's brethren are come; They would call him by his Egyptian name,
though the historian gives him his Hebrew name. Which was his right name and by
which he was best known to the Hebrews, for whose sake chiefly was written.
Key Phrase: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants; Joseph was greatly beloved both
by Pharaoh and his courtiers. They were glad of an opportunity of showing their
own regard of him. This they could do with their respect and civilities to his
relatives and friends. Joseph who had been the means of providing for the
welfare of the whole kingdom much less the saving of all of their lives.
Note: Pharaoh's expressions of pleasure on this occasion was no doubt sincere. The courtiers
of his who might not so well treat a stranger. Much less one that had been in a very low
estate of life ( in prison), to be raised above them and have so much trust and honor,
conferred upon him. Could have caused some discourse and animosity among them.
But the sense they had of their obligations to him, was truly of gratitude that they
might be really pleased to hear that his brethren were there. Pharaoh and his court
might be the more delighted, because that it appeared that he came of a good family in
Canaan. Remember they knew no more of him than of his having been a slave in
Potiphar's house. Then cast into a prison for a crime charged upon him, out of which he
was taken, and made the great man he was. Not understanding God’s providence in
all of this.
Verse 17. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts,
and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;
Special Note: I am sure once Pharaoh heard he summoned Joseph to him and his brethren.
Key Phrase; And Pharaoh said unto Joseph; Who, it is probable, wanting and waiting upon
Pharaoh to acquaint him with the coming of his brethren. It cannot be imagined
that Pharaoh should say what follows upon a first report of this occurrence, would
without having a further account of things from Joseph. Or that Joseph would
neglect telling him, but take the first opportunity to inform him.
8.
Key Phrase: say unto thy brethren, this do ye; Give them directions and instructions to do as
follows.
Key Phrase: lade your asses: With provisions for the present necessity of their father's house
and family in Canaan.
Key Phrase: and go, get you into the land of Canaan; With all the haste they could make.
Verse 18. And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you
the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.
Key Phrase: And take your father, and your households; Or families, for they were all married
persons, and had children, and no doubt servants also. Pharaoh is saying that all
were to be brought with them.
Key Phrase: and come unto me; Into his kingdom, to his metropolis, and to his palace, and
into his presence.
Key Phrase: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt; The best things which it affords,
and the best and most fruitful part of it, as he afterwards did, which was the land
of Goshen.
Key Phrase: and ye shall eat the fat of the land; The choicest fruits of the earth, such as were
produced in fields and gardens; meaning that they should have the finest of the
wheat for themselves, and the fattest pastures for their flocks.
Verse 19. Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for
your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.
Key Phrase: Now thou art commanded, this do ye; Joseph had his orders from Pharaoh. The
full power and authority to do the above things, and what follows.
Key Phrase: take you wagons out of the land of Egypt: Take the best wagons of the land for
your use.
Key Phrase: for your little ones, and for your wives: Pharaoh understood the hard ships that
the children and women would undertake on such a journey and sent the wagons
to carry the women and children in when they returned it also shows the
humanity of Pharaoh and great respect for Joseph in this action.
Key Phrase: and bring your father, and come; An invitation by Pharaoh to the father of Joseph
would be considered a great honor and carried out to its fullest extent. So he is
saying bring him in one of the carriages, or in what way was most agreeable to
him in his old age.
9.
Verse 20. Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.
Key Phrase: Also regard not your stuff; Or "your vessels", utensils, household goods. He would
not have them to be concerned if they could not bring all their goods with them.
If they had to leave some behind, which, because of the distance of the way from
Canaan to his kingdom. The difficulty of the road, going through sandy deserts,
rough terrain some things could not well be brought. There was enough to be had
in the land of Egypt to replace anything that they may need.
Key Phrase: for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours; Whatever good things were in it,
whether for food or use for themselves, their houses, or their flocks, all were at
their service, and they were welcome to them. The best was offered to them and
would be given to them, or was at their option if they had need of anything.
Verse 21. And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the
commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.
Key Phrase: And the children of Israel did so; They did as Pharaoh commanded and Joseph
from him directed them to do.
Key Phrase: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh: This
also include the beasts, either horses or oxen to draw them, and they would not
be empty because of the need for food supplies for all the people and animals
that would be making the trip. Although the principal use of them was to fetch his
father and his family, and their goods.
Key Phrase: and gave them provision for the way; This would be both going and returning, as
much as would suffice for both and Joseph ordered it because, he was in charge of
it by the authority of Pharaoh already.
Verse 22. To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three
hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.
Key Phrase: To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; Better apparel, two suits of
clothes, to shift and change upon occasion for travel. Those he gave to every one
of would give of Joseph. Of his great prosperity and generosity, Also that they
upon their return, have suitable apparel to appear before Pharaoh. Chiefly this
was intended to show his great respect and affection for them, and reconciliation
to them.
Key Phrase: but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver; Or shekels, noted by
Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan. The number 300 in biblical reference means
“divine deliverance” The Septuagint wrongly renders it three hundred "pieces of
gold".
10.
Key Phase: five changes of raiment; This Joseph did because of his greater love and affection
for him.
Verse 23. And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of
Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the
way.
Key Phrase: And to his father he sent after this manner; Joseph is bestowing gifts to his father
just like his father did to him when he believed him to be an Egyptian governor.
This is also to prove to his father that he had more than he could ever need and
just wanted him to come to Egypt and be safe and Joseph would provide for him
abundantly.
Key Phrase: ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt; The best things the land afforded
or produced. The asses are used as beast of burden to carry large quantities.
Note: The number 10 also means biblically is known as a symbol of the authority of God and
his government on the Earth. This number can also symbolize the obedience of and
responsibility of people towards the God’s law. In example The 10 Commandments.
Key Phrase: and ten she asses laden with corn; Not made up into bread, next mentioned, and
so distinguished it from the next part.
Note: The use of the word asses and she asses is in reference to royalty. Kings road on asses
and the sons and wives road an she asses. Remember Jesus rode on the colt of an ass
(the she asses offspring). So Joseph was sending these along carrying corn and so that
they could ride them on the way back and be noted as royalty in addition to their
raiment’s.
Key Phrase; and bread: Ready made and baked, this would expedite the trip back to Canaan
for his brothers. To speed them along.
Key Phrase: and meat for his father by the way; food and fruit of various sorts; Aben Ezra
reckons it was, peas, beans, lentils, millet, fetches, figs, currants, and dates. That
provide proteins and carbs for travel. ( Trail mix lol)
Verse 24. So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that
ye fall not out by the way.
Key Phrase: So he sent his brethren away, and they departed; From Egypt to Canaan with the
wagons, asses, and rich presents enough to sustain them and support them on
their return to Egypt.
Key Phrase: and he said unto them, see that ye fall not out by the way; Joseph is saying to
11.
them to stay safe and focused and protect each other. Joseph gives them this
kind and good advice. Especially since there was the more reason to attend to it,
since he was reconciled unto them, and was desirous the whole family come to
him.
Verse 25. And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their
father,
Verse 26. And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of
Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.
Key Phrase: And told him; What had happened to them in Egypt about the meal and the silver
goblet etc.
Key Phrase: saying, Joseph is yet alive; The one who was thought by him and them to have
been dead long ago:
Key Phrase: and he is governor over all the land of Egypt; That would be deputy governor and
had such power and authority that nothing was done without his order. The
executive power of government was put into his hands, and all the officers of the
kingdom were under him. That he was next to Pharaoh in all things.
Key Phrase: and Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not; It was too unbelievable and
too good news to be true. It was no doubt desirable, but very unexpected. It
shocked him, he knew not what to think, or say or believe about it. There was
such a conflict of the passions in him, that he could not compose himself, or
reason with himself about it.
Verse 27. And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when
he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their
father revived:
Key Phrase: And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them; Not
concerning their selling of him, his forgiveness of them and reconciliation to them,
which perhaps Jacob never heard of to his dying day, since he makes no mention
of it. They told him about his great advancement in the court of Pharaoh, and
how desirous he was to have his father and family with him. To provide for them,
since he told them that there were five years of famine yet to come.
Key Phrase: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, and his sons
wives and children, down to Egypt in; Which were so grand and magnificent,
that he was persuaded/convinced knowing that his sons had no means to have
ever provided such splendor. So if what they said concerning Joseph was true and
had to be true. 12.
Key Phrase: the spirit of Jacob their father revived; His own natural spirit, a renewing of his
soul and he became lively and cheerful, giving credit to the report of his sons.
Verse 28. And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before
I die.
Key Phrase: And Israel said, it is enough, Joseph my son is yet alive; It is a term used to sum
up things considered in the matter. The greatest blessing of all was that Joseph
was alive and then add in all the glory and splendor that Joseph was in. It was
enough for Jacob, and when he considered the wives grandchildren and servants
he answered as the leader he was Israel. The fact that Joseph was among the
living gave him great content and much pleasure
Key Phrase: I will go and see him before I die; Though Jacobs age was great and the journey
long and difficult, so great was his desire of seeing Joseph. Not that he was,
expecting death shortly in the sense of last will. This was said in submission to the
will of God, and in seeking him by prayer and supplication. In the exercise of faith,
believing that God would grant him his desire, than which nothing in life could be
more desirable to him, and he only wished to live to enjoy this favor.
See: Artapanus of Alexandria
Was a historian, of Alexandrian Jewish origin, who is believed to have lived in Alexandria, during the later half of the 3rd or 2nd century BCE. Although most scholars assume Artapanus lived in Alexandria, others argue he resided in the countryside. Regardless, Artapanus lived in Egypt. Artapanus wrote Concerning The Jews, a history of the Jews, in Greek between 250 and 100 BCE, but this text has not survived to the present.
Artapanus’s writings may be interpreted as a response to those such as Manetho writing as early as the 3rd century BCE; therefore, Artapanus most likely wrote no earlier than the middle of the 3rd century. It is arguable that Artapanus wrote in the second half of the 3rd century BCE under the influence of Ptolemy IV Philopator’s reign between 221 and 204 BCE.
See: Strabo
Strabo born 64 or 63 BC – c. AD 24) was a Greek geographer, philosopher, and historian who lived in Asia Minor during the transitional period of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. Strabo was born to an affluent family from Amaseia in Pontus (in present-day Turkey) in around 64 BC.
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Strabo's life was characterized by extensive travels. He journeyed to Egypt and Kush, as far west as coastal Tuscany and as far south as Ethiopia. In addition to his travels in Asia Minor and the time he spent in Rome. Travel throughout the Mediterranean and Near East, especially for scholarly purposes, was popular during this era and was facilitated by the relative peace enjoyed throughout the reign of Augustus (27 BC – AD 14).
He moved to Rome in 44 BC, and stayed there, studying and writing, until at least 31 BC. In 29 BC, on his way to Corinth (where Augustus was at the time), he visited the island of Gyaros in the Aegean Sea. Around 25 BC, he sailed up the Nile until he reached Philae, after which point there is little record of his travels until AD 17.
Known for Strabo's Geography which was probably written first drafts around 7 BC, others
around AD 17 or AD 18. It is an encyclopedic chronicle that consists of political, economic, social, cultural, geographic description covering almost all of Europe and the Mediterranean: British Isles, Iberian Peninsula, Gaul, Germania, the Alps, Italy, Greece, Northern Black Sea region, Anatolia, Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa.
The Geography is the only extant work providing information about both Greek and Roman peoples and countries during the reign of Augustus.
The Land of Goshen
Special Note # 1 Other historians think it may have been the domains of his father in law the
priest of On, since On or Onii, according to Ptolemy was the metropolis of the
Heliopolitan home, and by some thought to be Heliopolis itself, and perhaps
might be Joseph's own country, which he had with the daughter of the priest
of On.
Indeed if what the Jewish writers say, that Pharaoh, king of Egypt in
Abraham's time, gave to Sarah the land of Goshen for an inheritance, and
therefore the Israelites dwelt in it, because it was Sarah their "mother's".
It would account for Joseph's proposing to put them into the possession of it
without the leave of Pharaoh.
But it seems the area of Goshen hand been in the Grant of Pharaoh, who we
will see and read, he agreed and confirmed what Joseph proposed, Genesis
47:6.
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