To Hear a Talk based on the Text below: VaYashayv
Genesis chapters 37 to 40 (ca. 57 minutes)
Joseph Sold into Egypt; Judah and Tamar
This weeks portion is named VaYashaev translated as And he [i.e. Jacob] dwelt in the first verse.
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[Genesis 37:1] AND JACOB DWELT IN THE LAND WHEREIN HIS FATHER WAS A STRANGER, IN THE LAND OF CANAAN.
[Genesis 37:2] THESE ARE THE GENERATIONS OF JACOB. JOSEPH, BEING SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD, WAS FEEDING THE FLOCK WITH HIS BRETHREN; AND THE LAD WAS WITH THE SONS OF BILHAH, AND WITH THE SONS OF ZILPAH, HIS FATHER'S WIVES: AND JOSEPH BROUGHT UNTO HIS FATHER THEIR EVIL REPORT.
"THE LAD WAS WITH THE SONS OF BILHAH, AND WITH THE SONS OF ZILPAH": Does this suggest that the Descendants of Joseph will get along better with the Descendants of the Handmaidens rather than with his brother descendants of Rachel and Leah?
EVIL REPORT in Hebrew dibatam raah. The word used for report (based on the root dibah) suggests that something was wrong with it. According to the Midrash Joseph related bad things about his brothers that were not true but rather derived from a mistaken impression. It was not for nothing that his brothers resented him.
[Genesis 37:3] NOW ISRAEL LOVED JOSEPH MORE THAN ALL HIS CHILDREN, BECAUSE HE WAS THE SON OF HIS OLD AGE: AND HE MADE HIM A COAT OF MANY COLOURS.
COAT OF MANY COLOURS = Cotonet Pasim also translatable as coat of stripes. Possibly similar to a tartan design. Egyptian illustrations and statuettes sometimes depict individuals from the Israelite-Canaanite area wearing tartan-like coats or kilts.
David Rohl in A Test of Time on the coverpiece has a color photograph of the statuette of a Hyksos prince.
He is wearing a robe of colored stripes similar in design to tartan.
The person concerned has red hair and Rohl suggests that the statuette is actually intended to depict Joseph himself.
I personally would not go so far but you never know. If it is not Joseph maybe it is one of his descendants.
[Rohl has also been accused in this case of taking a statuary fragment and reconstructing it in a way that may not
necessarily reflect the original. Nevertheless such types are known from Egyptian depictions and they are associated with the area of Israel.
See our articles: Israelite Physical Types. Pictures of Ancient Hebrews.
The Hyksos were a people from Canaan who settled in Egypt and greatly influenced Egyptian culture. There were expelled about 1550 BCE according to conventional dating. Josephus appears to identify the Hyksos with the ancient Israelites. We agreed with Josephus in our work Lost Israelite Identity. One of the many reasons we justified this identification was the fact that the Hyksos used names such as Jacob and Joseph.
Immanuel Velikovsky and Herman Hoeh identified the Hyksos with Amalekites.
Rohl takes both approaches and says that there were two groups of Hyksos: One replaced the other in the land of Goshen in Egypt: Rohl claims that the first were Israelites, the second from Amalek.
Like nearly all Brit-Am beliefs so far latest discoveries and researches seem to confirm our conclusions. The Hyksos were Israelites or at least associated with them.
[Genesis 37:4] AND WHEN HIS BRETHREN SAW THAT THEIR FATHER LOVED HIM MORE THAN ALL HIS BRETHREN, THEY HATED HIM, AND COULD NOT SPEAK PEACEABLY UNTO HIM.
Nowadays Joseph is found chiefly amongst the USA and Britain and in some small part also amongst the Jews (who are mainly Judah and other tribes). There is a great deal of resentment and hatred directed towards Joseph today. Some of it may be justified in part but a great deal is pure jealousy and spiteful inclinations.
The most hated nations in the world today after the Jews are probably the USA and UK even though these three
have done more good overall for the world than anyone else.
[Genesis 37:5] AND JOSEPH DREAMED A DREAM, AND HE TOLD IT HIS BRETHREN: AND THEY HATED HIM YET THE MORE.
[Genesis 37:6] AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, HEAR, I PRAY YOU, THIS DREAM WHICH I HAVE DREAMED:
[Genesis 37:7] FOR, BEHOLD, WE WERE BINDING SHEAVES IN THE FIELD, AND, LO, MY SHEAF AROSE, AND ALSO STOOD UPRIGHT; AND, BEHOLD, YOUR SHEAVES STOOD ROUND ABOUT, AND MADE OBEISANCE TO MY SHEAF.
The ancestor of the Anglo-Saxons according to their tradition was Sceld [i.e. Shield] Sheafing descendant of Shem (in Anglo-Saxon genealogies) who was named after a sheaf. He had been found as an infant drifting in an oarless boat, sleeping on a sheaf of wheat. When he grew up he taught his people agriculture and just laws. This legend borrows elements from the stories of both Joseph and of Moses.
[Genesis 37:8] AND HIS BRETHREN SAID TO HIM, SHALT THOU INDEED REIGN OVER US? OR SHALT THOU INDEED HAVE DOMINION OVER US? AND THEY HATED HIM YET THE MORE FOR HIS DREAMS, AND FOR HIS WORDS.
The dream of Joseph is also pertinent regarding the fate of his descendants in the Latter Days.
[Genesis 37:9] AND HE DREAMED YET ANOTHER DREAM, AND TOLD IT HIS BRETHREN, AND SAID, BEHOLD, I HAVE DREAMED A DREAM MORE; AND, BEHOLD, THE SUN AND THE MOON AND THE ELEVEN STARS MADE OBEISANCE TO ME.
Are the 13 stars in a circle on the US dollar bill relevant to this dream?
[Genesis 37:10] AND HE TOLD IT TO HIS FATHER, AND TO HIS BRETHREN: AND HIS FATHER REBUKED HIM, AND SAID UNTO HIM, WHAT IS THIS DREAM THAT THOU HAST DREAMED? SHALL I AND THY MOTHER AND THY BRETHREN INDEED COME TO BOW DOWN OURSELVES TO THEE TO THE EARTH?
[Genesis 37:11] AND HIS BRETHREN ENVIED HIM; BUT HIS FATHER OBSERVED THE SAYING.
[Genesis 37:12] AND HIS BRETHREN WENT TO FEED THEIR FATHER'S FLOCK IN SHECHEM.
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[Genesis 37:13] AND ISRAEL SAID UNTO JOSEPH, DO NOT THY BRETHREN FEED THE FLOCK IN SHECHEM? COME, AND I WILL SEND THEE UNTO THEM. AND HE SAID TO HIM, HERE AM I.
[Genesis 37:14] AND HE SAID TO HIM, GO, I PRAY THEE, SEE WHETHER IT BE WELL WITH THY BRETHREN, AND WELL WITH THE FLOCKS; AND BRING ME WORD AGAIN. SO HE SENT HIM OUT OF THE VALE OF HEBRON, AND HE CAME TO SHECHEM
They were living in Hebron. Today just outside of Hebron is the Jewish city of Kiryat Arba with about 8000 inhabitants.
It is comprised of high-rise apartments. Everyplace can be reached on foot from within the city within 5 to 10 minutes.
Yair Davidiy and John Hulley used to be neighbors in Kiryat Arba. There was a whole group of similarly-minded people living there at the same time. All of them were interested in the Lost Ten Tribes and some of them had done original research on the subject. We used to have very fruitful discussions etc.
There is a one in a million chance that such a group of people could have been in one and the same place
(that was also very congenial for social exchange and discussion) but we were all there.
[Genesis 37:15] AND A CERTAIN MAN FOUND HIM, AND, BEHOLD, HE WAS WANDERING IN THE FIELD: AND THE MAN ASKED HIM, SAYING, WHAT SEEKEST THOU?
[Genesis 37:16] AND HE SAID, I SEEK MY BRETHREN: TELL ME, I PRAY THEE, WHERE THEY FEED THEIR FLOCKS.
Joseph sought his brethren. Today the task of all of us is to seek our Tribal brethren.
[Genesis 37:17] AND THE MAN SAID, THEY ARE DEPARTED HENCE; FOR I HEARD THEM SAY, LET US GO TO DOTHAN. AND JOSEPH WENT AFTER HIS BRETHREN, AND FOUND THEM IN DOTHAN.
[Genesis 37:18] AND WHEN THEY SAW HIM AFAR OFF, EVEN BEFORE HE CAME NEAR UNTO THEM, THEY CONSPIRED AGAINST HIM TO SLAY HIM.
[Genesis 37:19] AND THEY SAID ONE TO ANOTHER, BEHOLD, THIS DREAMER COMETH.
[Genesis 37:20] COME NOW THEREFORE, AND LET US SLAY HIM, AND CAST HIM INTO SOME PIT, AND WE WILL SAY, SOME EVIL BEAST HATH DEVOURED HIM: AND WE SHALL SEE WHAT WILL BECOME OF HIS DREAMS.
They wanted to kill him even though they knew they were his brothers. In our days most Israelites do not realize who their brothers are. Some times nations with large contingents of Lost Israelites amongst them are antagonistic to each other. This should be prevented as much as possible.
[Genesis 37:21] AND REUBEN HEARD IT, AND HE DELIVERED HIM OUT OF THEIR HANDS; AND SAID, LET US NOT KILL HIM.
Reuben saved Joseph. Reuben put himself out to help his brother.
Reuben is dominant in France.
France has helped the USA, Britain, and Israel.
In WW1 the French did a lot and made great sacrifices and after the War may well not have received from her former Allies an attitude as sympathetic and helpful as was necessary.
In the Second World War it is true that France collapsed early and that Vichy France cooperated with the Nazis. On the other hand the French Army displayed great courage and self-sacrifice in its attempts to protect the British escape at Dunkirk. The French also (on the whole despite numerous exceptions) went out of their way to save the Jews and almost 80% of French Jewry were saved. This was probably (after Denmark) the highest percentage in Occupied Europe. In the 1950s and early 1960s French quite a few French government ministers and officials dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to the cause of the State of Israel. The French helped Israel arm and defend itself and develop a nuclear capability. The attitude of French officialdom and the French people has since changed drastically. There are still many pro-Israel elements in France today but anti-Semites have also began to take over and have been doing so for some time.
John Hulley tells me that the French people as a whole (relatively speaking) have a very high degree of natural empathy for the feelings of others.
French Protestants are mainly Calvinists and these identify very strongly with Biblical themes and often also with the Jewish people. The French Protestants were very active in helping to save Jews in the 2nd World War. Whole villages as one body participated in this activity.
My grandmother came from Alsace in France. Alsace is on the border between France and Germany. It has a large and ancient Jewish community. The non-Jewish people of Alsace speak a German dialect but on the whole identify with the French. Anti-Semitism however was always very strong in this area with notable exceptions.
[Genesis 37:22] AND REUBEN SAID UNTO THEM, SHED NO BLOOD, BUT CAST HIM INTO THIS PIT THAT IS IN THE WILDERNESS, AND LAY NO HAND UPON HIM; THAT HE MIGHT RID HIM OUT OF THEIR HANDS, TO DELIVER HIM TO HIS FATHER AGAIN.
Reuben intended to come back and help Joseph.
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[Genesis 37:23] AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN JOSEPH WAS COME UNTO HIS BRETHREN, THAT THEY STRIPT JOSEPH OUT OF HIS COAT, HIS COAT OF MANY COLOURS THAT WAS ON HIM;
[Genesis 37:24] AND THEY TOOK HIM, AND CAST HIM INTO A PIT: AND THE PIT WAS EMPTY, THERE WAS NO WATER IN IT.
[Genesis 37:25] AND THEY SAT DOWN TO EAT BREAD: AND THEY LIFTED UP THEIR EYES AND LOOKED, AND, BEHOLD, A COMPANY OF ISHMEELITES CAME FROM GILEAD WITH THEIR CAMELS BEARING SPICERY AND BALM AND MYRRH, GOING TO CARRY IT DOWN TO EGYPT.
ISHMEELITES descendants of Ishmael the son of Abraham or people confederated with Ishmael and ruled by him and his descendants. Many Arabs are in this category. Desert trade was always important. In the old days before refrigeration spices were important to preserve and flavor meat and foodstuffs and also as medicines. Many spices came from India and the Far East. The Arabs served as intermediaries conducting traffic in spice across the desert to the Mediterranean World. This pattern continued and expanded right up to modern times.
Nowadays a good portion of the world's heroin is produced in Moslem countries such as Lebanon (in the Syrian-controlled section) and Afghanistan.
[Genesis 37:26] AND JUDAH SAID UNTO HIS BRETHREN, WHAT PROFIT IS IT IF WE SLAY OUR BROTHER, AND CONCEAL HIS BLOOD?
The Rabbis in the Talmud severely condemn Judah over this and say that it is forbidden to praise Judah for this. Judah they say was a natural leader and could have used his inborn authority to return Joseph to his father. Even so things are not so simple. There is also a school of thought saying that both Joseph and his brothers had made serious mistakes about the motivations of each other. Joseph had said bad things about his brothers that were not exact and could have had dangerous consequences. Likewise the brothers misunderstood Joseph and may have been acting in the interests of what they considered to be their own self-defense.
We will not go into this at this stage.
At all events we should all be careful about accusing others of wrong.
[Genesis 37:27] COME, AND LET US SELL HIM TO THE ISHMEELITES, AND LET NOT OUR HAND BE UPON HIM; FOR HE IS OUR BROTHER AND OUR FLESH. AND HIS BRETHREN WERE CONTENT.
[Genesis 37:28] THEN THERE PASSED BY MIDIANITES MERCHANTMEN; AND THEY DREW AND LIFTED UP JOSEPH OUT OF THE PIT, AND SOLD JOSEPH TO THE ISHMEELITES FOR TWENTY PIECES OF SILVER: AND THEY BROUGHT JOSEPH INTO EGYPT.
MIDIANITES related to the Ishmaelites. Commentators are divided as to what happened. One opinion holds that the Midianites happened by before the brothers could manage to do anything and the Midianites were the ones who actually sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites who came past shortly after. Because the brothers had intended to sell Joseph anyway Scripture describes the event ambiguously as if they may have done so.
[Genesis 37:29] AND REUBEN RETURNED UNTO THE PIT; AND, BEHOLD, JOSEPH WAS NOT IN THE PIT; AND HE RENT HIS CLOTHES.
[Genesis 37:30] AND HE RETURNED UNTO HIS BRETHREN, AND SAID, THE CHILD IS NOT; AND I, WHITHER SHALL I GO?
[Genesis 37:31] AND THEY TOOK JOSEPH'S COAT, AND KILLED A KID OF THE GOATS, AND DIPPED THE COAT IN THE BLOOD;
[Genesis 37:32] AND THEY SENT THE COAT OF MANY COLOURS, AND THEY BROUGHT IT TO THEIR FATHER; AND SAID, THIS HAVE WE FOUND: KNOW NOW WHETHER IT BE THY SON'S COAT OR NO.
[Genesis 37:33] AND HE KNEW IT, AND SAID, IT IS MY SON'S COAT; AN EVIL BEAST HATH DEVOURED HIM; JOSEPH IS WITHOUT DOUBT RENT IN PIECES.
Jacob had tricked his father by donning the clothes of Esau and using a goatskin. Jacob in turn was misled by the use of clothes and a kid goat. This was not punishment but the Commentators suggest that even unmerited disaster dresses itself in the form of measure-for-measure retribution.
[Genesis 37:34] AND JACOB RENT HIS CLOTHES, AND PUT SACKCLOTH UPON HIS LOINS, AND MOURNED FOR HIS SON MANY DAYS.
[Genesis 37:35] AND ALL HIS SONS AND ALL HIS DAUGHTERS ROSE UP TO COMFORT HIM; BUT HE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED; AND HE SAID, FOR I WILL GO DOWN INTO THE GRAVE UNTO MY SON MOURNING. THUS HIS FATHER WEPT FOR HIM.
[Genesis 37:36] AND THE MIDIANITES SOLD HIM INTO EGYPT UNTO POTIPHAR, AN OFFICER OF PHARAOH'S, AND CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD.
The Midrash says that Joseph looked like a Germani meaning like a very fair person from the North. Joseph looked like his father Jacob but the other brothers apparently did not all do so. There were different physical types amongst the ancient Israelites ranging from quite dark to very fair. Physical appearance is determined by a combination of environmental factors that relate to genetic potential over a period of time ranging from one generation to hundreds. We have discussed this at some length in The Tribes and elsewhere.
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[Genesis 38:1] AND IT CAME TO PASS AT THAT TIME, THAT JUDAH WENT DOWN FROM HIS BRETHREN, AND TURNED IN TO A CERTAIN ADULLAMITE, WHOSE NAME WAS HIRAH.
[Genesis 38:2] AND JUDAH SAW THERE A DAUGHTER OF A CERTAIN CANAANITE, WHOSE NAME WAS SHUAH; AND HE TOOK HER, AND WENT IN UNTO HER.
The Tribal Forefathers married women from different nations. This together with environmental influences and continued intermarrying explains some of the physical differences amongst present Israelite peoples.
[Genesis 38:3] AND SHE CONCEIVED, AND BARE A SON; AND HE CALLED HIS NAME ER.
[Genesis 38:4] AND SHE CONCEIVED AGAIN, AND BARE A SON; AND SHE CALLED HIS NAME ONAN.
[Genesis 38:5] AND SHE YET AGAIN CONCEIVED, AND BARE A SON; AND CALLED HIS NAME SHELAH: AND HE WAS AT CHEZIB, WHEN SHE BARE HIM.
[Genesis 38:6] AND JUDAH TOOK A WIFE FOR ER HIS FIRSTBORN, WHOSE NAME WAS TAMAR.
In Ancient times Tamar was the name of a river in Celtic Britain and in Spain. Tamar means date or date-palm probably from a root meaning tall.
[Genesis 38:7] AND ER, JUDAH'S FIRSTBORN, WAS WICKED IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD; AND THE LORD SLEW HIM.
[Genesis 38:8] AND JUDAH SAID UNTO ONAN, GO IN UNTO THY BROTHER'S WIFE, AND MARRY HER, AND RAISE UP SEED TO THY BROTHER.
[Genesis 38:9] AND ONAN KNEW THAT THE SEED SHOULD NOT BE HIS; AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN HE WENT IN UNTO HIS BROTHER'S WIFE, THAT HE SPILLED IT ON THE GROUND, LEST THAT HE SHOULD GIVE SEED TO HIS BROTHER.
Wasting of seed is condemned by God.
Some people do things that they should not: for instance, Smoking. It is one thing to smoke because you feel you need it yet recognize the fact that you should not and try to stop it. If that is your attitude eventually you will stop.
You should not say that smoking is good for you or that smoking is not harmful. You should not think it is good to smoke, etc.
I took smoking as an example but the same applies to other matters.
[Genesis 38:10] AND THE THING WHICH HE DID DISPLEASED THE LORD: WHEREFORE HE SLEW HIM ALSO.
God puts Laws into operation. If you do repentance in time you can escape or mitigate punishment or even convert offences to credits. We should be aware however: Even though Yesterday was already too late NOW IS NOT TOO SOON.
[Genesis 38:11] THEN SAID JUDAH TO TAMAR HIS DAUGHTER IN LAW, REMAIN A WIDOW AT THY FATHER'S HOUSE, TILL SHELAH MY SON BE GROWN: FOR HE SAID, LEST PERADVENTURE HE DIE ALSO, AS HIS BRETHREN DID. AND TAMAR WENT AND DWELT IN HER FATHER'S HOUSE.
[Genesis 38:12] AND IN PROCESS OF TIME THE DAUGHTER OF SHUAH JUDAH'S WIFE DIED; AND JUDAH WAS COMFORTED, AND WENT UP UNTO HIS SHEEPSHEARERS TO TIMNATH, HE AND HIS FRIEND HIRAH THE ADULLAMITE.
[Genesis 38:13] AND IT WAS TOLD TAMAR, SAYING, BEHOLD THY FATHER IN LAW GOETH UP TO TIMNATH TO SHEAR HIS SHEEP.
[Genesis 38:14] AND SHE PUT HER WIDOW'S GARMENTS OFF FROM HER, AND COVERED HER WITH A VAIL, AND WRAPPED HERSELF, AND SAT IN AN OPEN PLACE, WHICH IS BY THE WAY TO TIMNATH; FOR SHE SAW THAT SHELAH WAS GROWN, AND SHE WAS NOT GIVEN UNTO HIM TO WIFE.
[Genesis 38:15] WHEN JUDAH SAW HER, HE THOUGHT HER TO BE AN HARLOT; BECAUSE SHE HAD COVERED HER FACE.
[Genesis 38:16] AND HE TURNED UNTO HER BY THE WAY, AND SAID, GO TO, I PRAY THEE, LET ME COME IN UNTO THEE; (FOR HE KNEW NOT THAT SHE WAS HIS DAUGHTER IN LAW.) AND SHE SAID, WHAT WILT THOU GIVE ME, THAT THOU MAYEST COME IN UNTO ME?
[Genesis 38:17] AND HE SAID, I WILL SEND THEE A KID FROM THE FLOCK. AND SHE SAID, WILT THOU GIVE ME A PLEDGE, TILL THOU SEND IT?
[Genesis 38:18] AND HE SAID, WHAT PLEDGE SHALL I GIVE THEE? AND SHE SAID, THY SIGNET, AND THY BRACELETS, AND THY STAFF THAT IS IN THINE HAND. AND HE GAVE IT HER, AND CAME IN UNTO HER, AND SHE CONCEIVED BY HIM.
Judah had a signet, bracelets, a staff. These were all symbols of authority.
He thought he was going into a prostitute. Great people came from this union. The Commentators say that if one has good intentions at the time of union then good people arise.
So how come this union was also successful?
The answer given is that the intentions of the woman are the most determining.
Another point mentioned by the Commentators is that from what appear to be disgraceful beginnings can often spring great and good results.
[Genesis 38:19] AND SHE AROSE, AND WENT AWAY, AND LAID BY HER VAIL FROM HER, AND PUT ON THE GARMENTS OF HER WIDOWHOOD.
[Genesis 38:20] AND JUDAH SENT THE KID BY THE HAND OF HIS FRIEND THE ADULLAMITE, TO RECEIVE HIS PLEDGE FROM THE WOMAN'S HAND: BUT HE FOUND HER NOT.
Judah helped deceive his father by dipping Josephs coat in the blood of a kidgoat. Judah was punished by likewise being deceived through a kid.
[Genesis 38:21] THEN HE ASKED THE MEN OF THAT PLACE, SAYING, WHERE IS THE HARLOT, THAT WAS OPENLY BY THE WAY SIDE? AND THEY SAID, THERE WAS NO HARLOT IN THIS PLACE.
[Genesis 38:22] AND HE RETURNED TO JUDAH, AND SAID, I CANNOT FIND HER; AND ALSO THE MEN OF THE PLACE SAID, THAT THERE WAS NO HARLOT IN THIS PLACE.
[Genesis 38:23] AND JUDAH SAID, LET HER TAKE IT TO HER, LEST WE BE SHAMED: BEHOLD, I SENT THIS KID, AND THOU HAST NOT FOUND HER.
[Genesis 38:24] AND IT CAME TO PASS ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER, THAT IT WAS TOLD JUDAH, SAYING, TAMAR THY DAUGHTER IN LAW HATH PLAYED THE HARLOT; AND ALSO, BEHOLD, SHE IS WITH CHILD BY WHOREDOM. AND JUDAH SAID, BRING HER FORTH, AND LET HER BE BURNT.
She was in a sense legally engaged to the son of Judah. She was also a woman of high stature. When people of high standing maintain rigorous moral standards so does everybody else.
[Genesis 38:25] WHEN SHE WAS BROUGHT FORTH, SHE SENT TO HER FATHER IN LAW, SAYING, BY THE MAN, WHOSE THESE ARE, AM I WITH CHILD: AND SHE SAID, DISCERN, I PRAY THEE, WHOSE ARE THESE, THE SIGNET, AND BRACELETS, AND STAFF.
She did not denounce him outright as she could have done. She let him take the initiative and decide how to act.
[Genesis 38:26] AND JUDAH ACKNOWLEDGED THEM, AND SAID, SHE HATH BEEN MORE RIGHTEOUS THAN I; BECAUSE THAT I GAVE HER NOT TO SHELAH MY SON. AND HE KNEW HER AGAIN NO MORE.
MORE RIGHTEOUS THAN I: Judah was honest. He owned up. He examined the situation, reached the required conclusions and announced them.
Nachmanides explains that in Ancient Israel they tried to keep women (as in the case of Ruth) and land etc in the same family. Before the time of Moses and the giving of the Torah when a person died without issue anyone of his relatives was supposed to marry the woman and bear seed from her. At that stage before the Giving of the Torah it could be anyone, i.e. one of the brothers or the father of the deceased. After the giving of the Torah it became the obligation of the brothers ONLY and the father was forbidden. In this case however at that time It COULD HAVE BEEN JUDAH FROM THE BEGINNING. Tamar wanted only to bear children from the line of Judah. She was within her rights. That is what Judah acknowledged.
[Genesis 38:27] AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THE TIME OF HER TRAVAIL, THAT, BEHOLD, TWINS WERE IN HER WOMB.
[Genesis 38:28] AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN SHE TRAVAILED, THAT THE ONE PUT OUT HIS HAND: AND THE MIDWIFE TOOK AND BOUND UPON HIS HAND A SCARLET THREAD, SAYING, THIS CAME OUT FIRST.
Some say that this explains the Red Hand and Red Thread on the Coat of Arms of Ulster. Others attribute the Ulster signs to a legend concerning one of the early kings of Ulster. Whatever the case there are a lot of traditions in Ulster linking them to the Lost Tribes. Supporters of Brit-Am who visited Ulster say that per head of population Ulster has the most potentially supportive population for the Brit-Am message. Statistically however most of our customers and subscribers are in the USA especially on the West Coast or nearby and also in the Southern "Bible Belt". Brit-Am support appears to be strongest so far in Gilead land and the "Ephraimite" section of the USA. This is also the area that according to a Midrash will be the first to return in the Last Days. See Joseph.
[Genesis 38:29] AND IT CAME TO PASS, AS HE DREW BACK HIS HAND, THAT, BEHOLD, HIS BROTHER CAME OUT: AND SHE SAID, HOW HAST THOU BROKEN FORTH? THIS BREACH BE UPON THEE: THEREFORE HIS NAME WAS CALLED PHAREZ.
[Genesis 38:30] AND AFTERWARD CAME OUT HIS BROTHER, THAT HAD THE SCARLET THREAD UPON HIS HAND: AND HIS NAME WAS CALLED ZARAH.
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[Genesis 39:1] AND JOSEPH WAS BROUGHT DOWN TO EGYPT; AND POTIPHAR, AN OFFICER OF PHARAOH, CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD, AN EGYPTIAN, BOUGHT HIM OF THE HANDS OF THE ISHMEELITES, WHICH HAD BROUGHT HIM DOWN THITHER.
[Genesis 39:2] AND THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH, AND HE WAS A PROSPEROUS MAN; AND HE WAS IN THE HOUSE OF HIS MASTER THE EGYPTIAN.
[Genesis 39:3] AND HIS MASTER SAW THAT THE LORD WAS WITH HIM, AND THAT THE LORD MADE ALL THAT HE DID TO PROSPER IN HIS HAND.
[Genesis 39:4] AND JOSEPH FOUND GRACE IN HIS SIGHT, AND HE SERVED HIM: AND HE MADE HIM OVERSEER OVER HIS HOUSE, AND ALL THAT HE HAD HE PUT INTO HIS HAND.
[Genesis 39:5] AND IT CAME TO PASS FROM THE TIME THAT HE HAD MADE HIM OVERSEER IN HIS HOUSE, AND OVER ALL THAT HE HAD, THAT THE LORD BLESSED THE EGYPTIAN'S HOUSE FOR JOSEPH'S SAKE; AND THE BLESSING OF THE LORD WAS UPON ALL THAT HE HAD IN THE HOUSE, AND IN THE FIELD.
BLESSED THE EGYPTIAN'S HOUSE FOR JOSEPH'S SAKE: In a sense the whole world is blessed for the sake of Israel.
[Genesis 39:6] AND HE LEFT ALL THAT HE HAD IN JOSEPH'S HAND; AND HE KNEW NOT OUGHT HE HAD, SAVE THE BREAD WHICH HE DID EAT. AND JOSEPH WAS A GOODLY PERSON, AND WELL FAVOURED.
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[Genesis 39:7] AND IT CAME TO PASS AFTER THESE THINGS, THAT HIS MASTER'S WIFE CAST HER EYES UPON JOSEPH; AND SHE SAID, LIE WITH ME.
[Genesis 39:8] BUT HE REFUSED, AND SAID UNTO HIS MASTER'S WIFE, BEHOLD, MY MASTER WOTTETH NOT WHAT IS WITH ME IN THE HOUSE, AND HE HATH COMMITTED ALL THAT HE HATH TO MY HAND;
[Genesis 39:9] THERE IS NONE GREATER IN THIS HOUSE THAN I; NEITHER HATH HE KEPT BACK ANY THING FROM ME BUT THEE, BECAUSE THOU ART HIS WIFE: HOW THEN CAN I DO THIS GREAT WICKEDNESS, AND SIN AGAINST GOD?
SIN AGAINST GOD: Even if she said her husband would not mind or that she was an independent entity, a "free spirit", and not obligated, etc, the bottom line is that God forbids intercourse with another mans wife.
[Genesis 39:10] AND IT CAME TO PASS, AS SHE SPAKE TO JOSEPH DAY BY DAY, THAT HE HEARKENED NOT UNTO HER, TO LIE BY HER, OR TO BE WITH HER.
OR TO BE WITH HER even just playing around with another mans wife is forbidden.
[Genesis 39:11] AND IT CAME TO PASS ABOUT THIS TIME, THAT JOSEPH WENT INTO THE HOUSE TO DO HIS BUSINESS; AND THERE WAS NONE OF THE MEN OF THE HOUSE THERE WITHIN.
[Genesis 39:12] AND SHE CAUGHT HIM BY HIS GARMENT, SAYING, LIE WITH ME: AND HE LEFT HIS GARMENT IN HER HAND, AND FLED, AND GOT HIM OUT.
He was almost assaulted and he ran out and then he himself was accused of attempted rape. Things like these still happen sometimes. It may even be that in her own mind Joseph had somehow "forced" her to act as she had. Usually when a woman complains of sexual molestation etc she is justified the problem being that if anything women do not complain enough. There are however cases when the reality may be the opposite of what is presented or even perceived by the woman complaining.
A woman who is being sexually offended should protest at once and as strongly as she can.
" BUT IF A MAN FIND A BETROTHED DAMSEL IN THE FIELD, AND THE MAN FORCE HER, AND LIE WITH HER: THEN THE MAN ONLY THAT LAY WITH HER SHALL DIE.
" BUT UNTO THE DAMSEL THOU SHALT DO NOTHING; THERE IS IN THE DAMSEL NO SIN WORTHY OF DEATH: FOR AS WHEN A MAN RISETH AGAINST HIS NEIGHBOUR, AND SLAYETH HIM, EVEN SO IS THIS MATTER:
"FOR HE FOUND HER IN THE FIELD, AND THE BETROTHED DAMSEL CRIED, AND THERE WAS NONE TO SAVE HER [Deuteronomy 22:25-27].
[Genesis 39:13] AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN SHE SAW THAT HE HAD LEFT HIS GARMENT IN HER HAND, AND WAS FLED FORTH,
[Genesis 39:14] THAT SHE CALLED UNTO THE MEN OF HER HOUSE, AND SPAKE UNTO THEM, SAYING, SEE, HE HATH BROUGHT IN AN HEBREW UNTO US TO MOCK US; HE CAME IN UNTO ME TO LIE WITH ME, AND I CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE:
AN HEBREW in Hebrew: Ivri or Ibri. The early Celtic settlers of Britain and Ireland came from Spain. They called themselves Iberi or Hebrews. This is documented by Ptolemy and others. Most inhabitants of Britain and descendants of the British come from the so-called Celtic element. The Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, and Normans (who were largely also of Israelite descent) imposed their culture and language on the native so-called Celtic inhabitants.
We repeat: The Celts of Britain did not refer to themselves as Celts. They called themselves IBERI, i.e. They said they were HEBREWS!
[Genesis 39:15] AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN HE HEARD THAT I LIFTED UP MY VOICE AND CRIED, THAT HE LEFT HIS GARMENT WITH ME, AND FLED, AND GOT HIM OUT.
[Genesis 39:16] AND SHE LAID UP HIS GARMENT BY HER, UNTIL HIS LORD CAME HOME.
[Genesis 39:17] AND SHE SPAKE UNTO HIM ACCORDING TO THESE WORDS, SAYING, THE HEBREW SERVANT, WHICH THOU HAST BROUGHT UNTO US, CAME IN UNTO ME TO MOCK ME:
[Genesis 39:18] AND IT CAME TO PASS, AS I LIFTED UP MY VOICE AND CRIED, THAT HE LEFT HIS GARMENT WITH ME, AND FLED OUT.
[Genesis 39:19] AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN HIS MASTER HEARD THE WORDS OF HIS WIFE, WHICH SHE SPAKE UNTO HIM, SAYING, AFTER THIS MANNER DID THY SERVANT TO ME; THAT HIS WRATH WAS KINDLED.
[Genesis 39:20] AND JOSEPH'S MASTER TOOK HIM, AND PUT HIM INTO THE PRISON, A PLACE WHERE THE KING'S PRISONERS WERE BOUND: AND HE WAS THERE IN THE PRISON.
[Genesis 39:21] BUT THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH, AND SHEWED HIM MERCY, AND GAVE HIM FAVOUR IN THE SIGHT OF THE KEEPER OF THE PRISON.
[Genesis 39:22] AND THE KEEPER OF THE PRISON COMMITTED TO JOSEPH'S HAND ALL THE PRISONERS THAT WERE IN THE PRISON; AND WHATSOEVER THEY DID THERE, HE WAS THE DOER OF IT.
[Genesis 39:23] THE KEEPER OF THE PRISON LOOKED NOT TO ANY THING THAT WAS UNDER HIS HAND; BECAUSE THE LORD WAS WITH HIM, AND THAT WHICH HE DID, THE LORD MADE IT TO PROSPER.
s.7
[Genesis 40:1] AND IT CAME TO PASS AFTER THESE THINGS, THAT THE BUTLER OF THE KING OF EGYPT AND HIS BAKER HAD OFFENDED THEIR LORD THE KING OF EGYPT.
[Genesis 40:2] AND PHARAOH WAS WROTH AGAINST TWO OF HIS OFFICERS, AGAINST THE CHIEF OF THE BUTLERS, AND AGAINST THE CHIEF OF THE BAKERS.
[Genesis 40:3] AND HE PUT THEM IN WARD IN THE HOUSE OF THE CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD, INTO THE PRISON, THE PLACE WHERE JOSEPH WAS BOUND.
[Genesis 40:4] AND THE CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD CHARGED JOSEPH WITH THEM, AND HE SERVED THEM: AND THEY CONTINUED A SEASON IN WARD.
[Genesis 40:5] AND THEY DREAMED A DREAM BOTH OF THEM, EACH MAN HIS DREAM IN ONE NIGHT, EACH MAN ACCORDING TO THE INTERPRETATION OF HIS DREAM, THE BUTLER AND THE BAKER OF THE KING OF EGYPT, WHICH WERE BOUND IN THE PRISON.
[Genesis 40:6] AND JOSEPH CAME IN UNTO THEM IN THE MORNING, AND LOOKED UPON THEM, AND, BEHOLD, THEY WERE SAD.
[Genesis 40:7] AND HE ASKED PHARAOH'S OFFICERS THAT WERE WITH HIM IN THE WARD OF HIS LORD'S HOUSE, SAYING, WHEREFORE LOOK YE SO SADLY TO DAY?
[Genesis 40:8] AND THEY SAID UNTO HIM, WE HAVE DREAMED A DREAM, AND THERE IS NO INTERPRETER OF IT. AND JOSEPH SAID UNTO THEM, DO NOT INTERPRETATIONS BELONG TO GOD? TELL ME THEM, I PRAY YOU.
Dreams reflect a persons subconscious. Problems and conflicts are often resolved in dreams. Most of the times we forget our dreams. Sometimes we act consciously in certain ways because of dreams we had which we have forgotten. The future is an outcome of the present. Everyone has a certain degree of premonition, a kind of sixth sense. We are all potential prophets in a sense. In the Messianic Era this gift will be freely given. Sometimes in our dreams we foresee things that will happen to us afterwards. We usually forget these dreams. Perhaps it is better that way. The more we try to act as we should the more spiritual and beyond the natural do our lives become. The better we are the more does Divine Providence make itself felt in our lives.
[Genesis 40:9] AND THE CHIEF BUTLER TOLD HIS DREAM TO JOSEPH, AND SAID TO HIM, IN MY DREAM, BEHOLD, A VINE WAS BEFORE ME;
[Genesis 40:10] AND IN THE VINE WERE THREE BRANCHES: AND IT WAS AS THOUGH IT BUDDED, AND HER BLOSSOMS SHOT FORTH; AND THE CLUSTERS THEREOF BROUGHT FORTH RIPE GRAPES:
[Genesis 40:11] AND 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.
[Genesis 40:12] AND JOSEPH SAID UNTO HIM, THIS IS THE INTERPRETATION OF IT: THE THREE BRANCHES ARE THREE DAYS:
[Genesis 40:13] YET WITHIN THREE DAYS SHALL PHARAOH LIFT UP THINE HEAD, AND RESTORE THEE UNTO THY PLACE: AND THOU SHALT DELIVER PHARAOH'S CUP INTO HIS HAND, AFTER THE FORMER MANNER WHEN THOU WAST HIS BUTLER.
[Genesis 40:14] BUT THINK ON ME WHEN IT SHALL BE WELL WITH THEE, AND SHEW KINDNESS, I PRAY THEE, UNTO ME, AND MAKE MENTION OF ME UNTO PHARAOH, AND BRING ME OUT OF THIS HOUSE:
[Genesis 40:15] FOR INDEED I WAS STOLEN AWAY OUT OF THE LAND OF THE HEBREWS: AND HERE ALSO HAVE I DONE NOTHING THAT THEY SHOULD PUT ME INTO THE DUNGEON.
[Genesis 40:16] WHEN THE CHIEF BAKER SAW THAT THE INTERPRETATION WAS GOOD, HE SAID UNTO JOSEPH, I ALSO WAS IN MY DREAM, AND, BEHOLD, I HAD THREE WHITE BASKETS ON MY HEAD:
[Genesis 40:17] AND IN THE UPPERMOST BASKET THERE WAS OF ALL MANNER OF BAKEMEATS FOR PHARAOH; AND THE BIRDS DID EAT THEM OUT OF THE BASKET UPON MY HEAD.
[Genesis 40:18] AND JOSEPH ANSWERED AND SAID, THIS IS THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF: THE THREE BASKETS ARE THREE DAYS:
[Genesis 40:19] YET WITHIN THREE DAYS SHALL PHARAOH LIFT UP THY HEAD FROM OFF THEE, AND SHALL HANG THEE ON A TREE; AND THE BIRDS SHALL EAT THY FLESH FROM OFF THEE.
[Genesis 40:20] AND IT CAME TO PASS THE THIRD DAY, WHICH WAS PHARAOH'S BIRTHDAY, THAT HE MADE A FEAST UNTO ALL HIS SERVANTS: AND HE LIFTED UP THE HEAD OF THE CHIEF BUTLER AND OF THE CHIEF BAKER AMONG HIS SERVANTS.
[Genesis 40:21] AND HE RESTORED THE CHIEF BUTLER UNTO HIS BUTLERSHIP AGAIN; AND HE GAVE THE CUP INTO PHARAOH'S HAND:
[Genesis 40:22] BUT HE HANGED THE CHIEF BAKER: AS JOSEPH HAD INTERPRETED TO THEM.
[Genesis 40:23] YET DID NOT THE CHIEF BUTLER REMEMBER JOSEPH, BUT FORGAT HIM.