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The Antiquities of the Jews
Written by Flavius Josephus
Translated by William Whiston
Book Two
Chapter 6
How Joseph When He Was Become Famous In Egypt, Had His Brethren
In Subjection
1. JOSEPH was now grown up to thirty years of age, and enjoyed
great honors from the king, who called him Psothom Phanech, out
of regard to his prodigious degree of wisdom; for that name
denotes the revealer of secrets. He also married a wife of very
high quality; for he married the daughter of Petephres, (4) one
of the priests of Heliopolis; she was a virgin, and her name was
Asenath. By her he had children before the scarcity came on;
Manasseh, the elder, which signifies forgetful, because his
present happiness made him forget his former misfortunes; and
Ephraim, the younger, which signifies restored, because he was
restored to the freedom of his forefathers. Now after Egypt had
happily passed over seven years, according to Joseph's
interpretation of the dreams, the famine came upon them in the
eighth year; and because this misfortune fell upon them when
they had no sense of it beforehand, (5) they were all sorely
afflicted by it, and came running to the king's gates; and he
called upon Joseph, who sold the corn to them, being become
confessedly a savior to the whole multitude of the Egyptians.
Nor did he open this market of corn for the people of that
country only, but strangers had liberty to buy also; Joseph
being willing that all men, who are naturally akin to one
another, should have assistance from those that lived in
happiness.
2. Now Jacob also, when he understood that foreigners might
come, sent all his sons into Egypt to buy corn, for the land of
Canaan was grievously afflicted with the famine; and this great
misery touched the whole continent. He only retained Benjamin,
who was born to him by Rachel, and was of the same mother with
Joseph. These sons of Jacob then came into Egypt, and applied
themselves to Joseph, wanting to buy corn; for nothing of this
kind was done without his approbation, since even then only was
the honor that was paid the king himself advantageous to the
persons that paid it, when they took care to honor Joseph also.
Now when he well knew his brethren, they thought nothing of him;
for he was but a youth when he left them, and was now come to an
age so much greater, that the lineaments of his face were
changed, and he was not known by them: besides this, the
greatness of the dignity wherein he appeared, suffered them not
so much as to suspect it was he. He now made trial what
sentiments they had about affairs of the greatest consequence;
for he refused to sell them corn, and said they were come as
spies of the king's affairs; and that they came from several
countries, and joined themselves together, and pretended that
they were of kin, it not being possible that a private man
should breed up so many sons, and those of so great beauty of
countenance as they were, such an education of so many children
being not easily obtained by kings themselves. Now this he did
in order to discover what concerned his father, and what
happened to him after his own departure from him, and as
desiring to know what was become of Benjamin his brother; for he
was afraid that they had ventured on the like wicked enterprise
against him that they had done to himself, and had taken him off
also.
3. Now these brethren of his were under distraction and terror,
and thought that very great danger hung over them; yet not at
all reflecting upon their brother Joseph, and standing firm
under the accusations laid against them, they made their defense
by Reubel, the eldest of them, who now became their spokesman:
"We come not hither," said he, "with any unjust design, nor in
order to bring any harm to the king's affairs; we only want to
be preserved, as supposing your humanity might be a refuge for
us from the miseries which our country labors under, we having
heard that you proposed to sell corn, not only to your own
countrymen, but to strangers also, and that you determined to
allow that corn, in order to preserve all that want it; but that
we are brethren, and of the same common blood, the peculiar
lineaments of our faces, and those not so much different from
one another, plainly show. Our father's name is Jacob, an Hebrew
man, who had twelve of us for his sons by four wives; which
twelve of us, while we were all alive, were a happy family; but
when one of our brethren, whose name was Joseph, died, our
affairs changed for the worse, for our father could not forbear
to make a long lamentation for him; and we are in affliction,
both by the calamity of the death of our brother, and the
miserable state of our aged father. We are now, therefore, come
to buy corn, having intrusted the care of our father, and the
provision for our family, to Benjamin, our youngest brother; and
if thou sendest to our house, thou mayst learn whether we are
guilty of the least falsehood in what we say."
4. And thus did Reubel endeavor to persuade Joseph to have a
better opinion of them. But when he had learned from them that
Jacob was alive, and that his brother was not destroyed by them,
he for the present put them in prison, as intending to examine
more into their affairs when he should be at leisure. But on the
third day he brought them out, and said to them, "Since you
constantly affirm that you are not come to do any harm to the
king's affairs; that you are brethren, and the sons of the
father whom you named; you will satisfy me of the truth of what
you say, if you leave one of your company with me, who shall
suffer no injury here; and if, when ye have carried corn to your
father, you will come to me again, and bring your brother, whom
you say you left there, along with you, for this shall be by me
esteemed an assurance of the truth of what you have told me."
Hereupon they were in greater grief than before; they wept, and
perpetually deplored one among another the calamity of Joseph;
and said, "They were fallen into this misery as a punishment
inflicted by God for what evil contrivances they had against
him." And Reubel was large in his reproaches of them for their
too late repentance, whence no profit arose to Joseph; and
earnestly exhorted them to bear with patience whatever they
suffered, since it was done by God in way of punishment, on his
account. Thus they spake to one another, not imagining that
Joseph understood their language. A general sadness also seized
on them at Reubel's words, and a repentance for what they had
done; and they condemned the wickedness they had perpetrated,
for which they judged they were justly punished by God. Now when
Joseph saw that they were in this distress, he was so affected
at it that he fell into tears, and not being willing that they
should take notice of him, he retired; and after a while came to
them again, and taking Symeon (6) in order to his being a pledge
for his brethren's return, he bid them take the corn they had
bought, and go their way. He also commanded his steward privily
to put the money which they had brought with them for the
purchase of corn into their sacks, and to dismiss them
therewith; who did what he was commanded to do.
5. Now when Jacob's sons were come into the land of Canaan, they
told their father what had happened to them in Egypt, and that
they were taken to have come thither as spies upon the king; and
how they said they were brethren, and had left their eleventh
brother with their father, but were not believed; and how they
had left Symeon with the governor, until Benjamin should go
thither, and be a testimonial of the truth of what they had
said: and they begged of their father to fear nothing, but to
send the lad along with them. But Jacob was not pleased with any
thing his sons had done; and he took the detention of Symeon
heinously, and thence thought it a foolish thing to give up
Benjamin also. Neither did he yield to Reubel's persuasion,
though he begged it of him, and gave leave that the grandfather
might, in way of requital, kill his own sons, in case any harm
came to Benjamin in the journey. So they were distressed, and
knew not what to do; nay, there was another accident that still
disturbed them more, - the money that was found hidden in their
sacks of corn. Yet when the corn they had brought failed them,
and when the famine still afflicted them, and necessity forced
them, Jacob did (7) [not] still resolve to send Benjamin with
his brethren, although there was no returning into Egypt unless
they came with what they had promised. Now the misery growing
every day worse, and his sons begging it of him, he had no other
course to take in his present circumstances. And Judas, who was
of a bold temper on other occasions, spake his mind very freely
to him: "That it did not become him to be afraid on account of
his son, nor to suspect the worst, as he did; for nothing could
be done to his son but by the appointment of God, which must
also for certain come to pass, though he were at home with him;
that he ought not to condemn them to such manifest destruction;
nor deprive them of that plenty of food they might have from
Pharaoh, by his unreasonable fear about his son Benjamin, but
ought to take care of the preservation of Symeon, lest, by
attempting to hinder Benjamin's journey, Symeon should perish.
He exhorted him to trust God for him; and said he would either
bring his son back to him safe, or, together with his, lose his
own life." So that Jacob was at length persuaded, and delivered
Benjamin to them, with the price of the corn doubled; he also
sent presents to Joseph of the fruits of the land of Canaan,
balsam and rosin, as also turpentine and honey. (8) Now their
father shed many tears at the departure of his sons, as well as
themselves. His concern was, that he might receive them back
again safe after their journey; and their concern was, that they
might find their father well, and no way afflicted with grief
for them. And this lamentation lasted a whole day; so that the
old man was at last tired with grief, and staid behind; but they
went on their way for Egypt, endeavoring to mitigate their grief
for their present misfortunes, with the hopes of better success
hereafter.
6. As soon as they came into Egypt, they were brought down to
Joseph: but here no small fear disturbed them, lest they should
be accused about the price of the corn, as if they had cheated
Joseph. They then made a long apology to Joseph's steward; and
told him, that when they came home they found the money in their
sacks, and that they had now brought it along with them. He said
he did not know what they meant: so they were delivered from
that fear. And when he had loosed Symeon, and put him into a
handsome habit, he suffered him to be with his brethren; at
which time Joseph came from his attendance on the king. So they
offered him their presents; and upon his putting the question to
them about their father, they answered that they found him well.
He also, upon his discovery that Benjamin was alive, asked
whether this was their younger brother; for he had seen him.
Whereupon they said he was: he replied, that the God over all
was his protector. But when his affection to him made him shed
tears, he retired, desiring he might not be seen in that plight
by his brethren. Then Joseph took them to supper, and they were
set down in the same order as they used to sit at their father's
table. And although Joseph treated them all kindly, yet did he
send a mess to Benjamin that was double to what the rest of the
guests had for their shares.
7. Now when after supper they had composed themselves to sleep,
Joseph commanded his steward both to give them their measures of
corn, and to hide its price again in their sacks; and that
withal they should put into Benjamin's sack the golden cup, out
of which he loved himself to drink. - which things he did, in
order to make trial of his brethren, whether they would stand by
Benjamin when he should be accused of having stolen the cup, and
should appear to be in danger; or whether they would leave him,
and, depending on their own innocency, go to their father
without him. When the servant had done as he was bidden, the
sons of Jacob, knowing nothing of all this, went their way, and
took Symeon along with them, and had a double cause of joy, both
because they had received him again, and because they took back
Benjamin to their father, as they had promised. But presently a
troop of horsemen encompassed them, and brought with them
Joseph's servant, who had put the cup into Benjamin's sack. Upon
which unexpected attack of the horsemen they were much
disturbed, and asked what the reason was that they came thus
upon men, who a little before had been by their lord thought
worthy of an honorable and hospitable reception? They replied,
by calling them wicked wretches, who had forgot that very
hospitable and kind treatment which Joseph had given them, and
did not scruple to be injurious to him, and to carry off that
cup out of which he had, in so friendly a manner, drank to them,
and not regarding their friendship with Joseph, no more than the
danger they should be in if they were taken, in comparison of
the unjust gain. Hereupon he threatened that they should be
punished; for though they had escaped the knowledge of him who
was but a servant, yet had they not escaped the knowledge of
God, nor had gone off with what they had stolen; and, after all,
asked why we come upon them, as if they knew nothing of the
matter: and he told them that they should immediately know it by
their punishment. This, and more of the same nature, did the
servant say, in way of reproach to them: but they being wholly
ignorant of any thing here that concerned them, laughed at what
he said, and wondered at the abusive language which the servant
gave them, when he was so hardy as to accuse those who did not
before so much as retain the price of their corn, which was
found in their sacks, but brought it again, though nobody else
knew of any such thing, - so far were they from offering any
injury to Joseph voluntarily. But still, supposing that a search
would be a more sure justification of themselves than their own
denial of the fact, they bid him search them, and that if any of
them had been guilty of the theft, to punish them all; for being
no way conscious to themselves of any crime, they spake with
assurance, and, as they thought, without any danger to
themselves also. The servants desired there might be a search
made; but they said the punishment should extend to him alone
who should be found guilty of the theft. So they made the
search; and, having searched all the rest, they came last of all
to Benjamin, as knowing it was Benjamin's sack in which they had
hidden the cup, they having indeed searched the rest only for a
show of accuracy: so the rest were out of fear for themselves,
and were now only concerned about Benjamin, but still were well
assured that he would also be found innocent; and they
reproached those that came after them for their hindering them,
while they might, in the mean while, have gotten a good way on
their journey. But as soon as they had searched Benjamin's sack,
they found the cup, and took it from him; and all was changed
into mourning and lamentation. They rent their garments, and
wept for the punishment which their brother was to undergo for
his theft, and for the delusion they had put on their father,
when they promised they would bring Benjamin safe to him. What
added to their misery was, that this melancholy accident came
unfortunately at a time when they thought they had been gotten
off clear; but they confessed that this misfortune of their
brother, as well as the grief of their father for him, was owing
to themselves, since it was they that forced their father to
send him with them, when he was averse to it.
8. The horsemen therefore took Benjamin and brought him to
Joseph, his brethren also following him; who, when he saw him in
custody, and them in the habit of mourners, said, "How came you,
vile wretches as you are, to have such a strange notion of my
kindness to you, and of God's providence, as impudently to do
thus to your benefactor, who in such an hospitable manner had
entertained you ?" Whereupon they gave up themselves to be
punished, in order to save Benjamin; and called to mind what a
wicked enterprise they had been guilty of against Joseph. They
also pronounced him more happy than themselves, if he were dead,
in being freed from the miseries of this life; and if he were
alive, that he enjoyed the pleasure of seeing God's vengeance
upon them. They said further; that they were the plague of their
father, since they should now add to his former affliction for
Joseph, this other affliction for Benjamin. Reubel also was
large in cutting them upon this occasion. But Joseph dismissed
them; for he said they had been guilty of no offense, and that
he would content himself with the lad's punishment; for he said
it was not a fit thing to let him go free, for the sake of those
who had not offended; nor was it a fit thing to punish them
together with him who had been guilty of stealing. And when he
promised to give them leave to go away in safety, the rest of
them were under great consternation, and were able to say
nothing on this sad occasion. But Judas, who had persuaded their
father to send the lad from him, being otherwise also a very
bold and active man, determined to hazard himself for the
preservation of his brother. "It is true," (9) said he, "O
governor, that we have been very wicked with regard to thee, and
on that account deserved punishment; even all of us may justly
be punished, although the theft were not committed by all, but
only by one of us, and he the youngest also; but yet there
remains some hope for us, who otherwise must be under despair on
his account, and this from thy goodness, which promises us a
deliverance out of our present danger. And now I beg thou wilt
not look at us, or at that great crime we have been guilty of,
but at thy own excellent nature, and take advice of thine own
virtue, instead of that wrath thou hast against us; which
passion those that otherwise are of lower character indulge, as
they do their strength, and that not only on great, but also on
very trifling occasions. Overcome, sir, that passion, and be not
subdued by it, nor suffer it to slay those that do not otherwise
presume upon their own safety, but are desirous to accept of it
from thee; for this is not the first time that thou wilt bestow
it on us, but before, when we came to buy corn, thou affordedst
us great plenty of food, and gavest us leave to carry so much
home to our family as has preserved them from perishing by
famine. Nor is there any difference between not overlooking men
that were perishing for want of necessaries, and not punishing
those that seem to be offenders, and have been so unfortunate as
to lose the advantage of that glorious benefaction which they
received from thee. This will be an instance of equal favor,
though bestowed after a different manner; for thou wilt save
those this way whom thou didst feed the other; and thou wilt
hereby preserve alive, by thy own bounty, those souls which thou
didst not suffer to be distressed by famine, it being indeed at
once a wonderful and a great thing to sustain our lives by corn,
and to bestow on us that pardon, whereby, now we are distressed,
we may continue those lives. And I am ready to suppose that God
is willing to afford thee this opportunity of showing thy
virtuous disposition, by bringing us into this calamity, that it
may appear thou canst forgive the injuries that are done to
thyself, and mayst be esteemed kind to others, besides those
who, on other accounts, stand in need of thy assistance; since
it is indeed a right thing to do well to those who are in
distress for want of food, but still a more glorious thing to
save those who deserve to be punished, when it is on account of
heinous offenses against thyself; for if it be a thing deserving
commendation to forgive such as have been guilty of small
offenses, that tend to a person's loss, and this be praiseworthy
in him that overlooks such offenses, to restrain a man's passion
as to crimes which are capital to the guilty, is to be like the
most excellent nature of God himself. And truly, as for myself,
had it not been that we had a father, who had discovered, on
occasion of the death of Joseph, how miserably he is always
afflicted at the loss of his sons, I had not made any words on
account of the saving of our own lives; I mean, any further than
as that would be an excellent character for thyself, to preserve
even those that would have nobody to lament them when they were
dead, but we would have yielded ourselves up to suffer
whatsoever thou pleasedst; but now (for we do not plead for
mercy to ourselves, though indeed, if we die, it will be while
we are young, and before we have had the enjoyment of life) have
regard to our father, and take pity of his old age, on whose
account it is that we make these supplications to thee. We beg
thou wilt give us those lives which this wickedness of ours has
rendered obnoxious to thy punishment; and this for his sake who
is not himself wicked, nor does his being our father make us
wicked. He is a good man, and not worthy to have such trials of
his patience; and now, we are absent, he is afflicted with care
for us. But if he hear of our deaths, and what was the cause of
it, he will on that account die an immature death; and the
reproachful manner of our ruin will hasten his end, and will
directly kill him; nay, will bring him to a miserable death,
while he will make haste to rid himself out of the world, and
bring himself to a state of insensibility, before the sad story
of our end come abroad into the rest of the world. Consider
these things in this manner, although our wickedness does now
provoke thee with a just desire of punishing that wickedness,
and forgive it for our father's sake; and let thy commiseration
of him weigh more with thee than our wickedness. Have regard to
the old age of our father, who, if we perish, will be very
lonely while he lives, and will soon die himself also. Grant
this boon to the name of fathers, for thereby thou wilt honor
him that begat thee, and will grant it to thyself also, who
enjoyest already that denomination; thou wilt then, by that
denomination, be preserved of God, the Father of all, - by
showing a pious regard to which, in the case of our father, thou
wilt appear to honor him who is styled by the same name; I mean,
if thou wilt have this pity on our father, upon this
consideration, how miserable he will be if he be deprived of his
sons! It is thy part therefore to bestow on us what God has
given us, when it is in thy power to take it away, and so to
resemble him entirely in charity; for it is good to use that
power, which can either give or take away, on the merciful side;
and when it is in thy power to destroy, to forget that thou ever
hadst that power, and to look on thyself as only allowed power
for preservation; and that the more any one extends this power,
the greater reputation does he gain to himself. Now, by
forgiving our brother what he has unhappily committed, thou wilt
preserve us all; for we cannot think of living if he be put to
death, since we dare not show ourselves alive to our father
without our brother, but here must we partake of one and the
same catastrophe of his life. And so far we beg of thee, O
governor, that if thou condemnest our brother to die, thou wilt
punish us together with him, as partners of his crime, - for we
shall not think it reasonable to be reserved to kill ourselves
for grief of our brother's death, but so to die rather as
equally guilty with him of this crime. I will only leave with
thee this one consideration, and then will say no more, viz.
that our brother committed this fault when he was young, and not
yet of confirmed wisdom in his conduct; and that men naturally
forgive such young persons. I end here, without adding what more
I have to say, that in case thou condemnest us, that omission
may be supposed to have hurt us, and permitted thee to take the
severer side. But in case thou settest us free, that this may be
ascribed to thy own goodness, of which thou art inwardly
conscious, that thou freest us from condemnation; and that not
by barely preserving us, but by granting us such a favor as will
make us appear more righteous than we really are, and by
representing to thyself more motives for our deliverance than we
are able to produce ourselves. If, therefore, thou resolvest to
slay him, I desire thou wilt slay me in his stead, and send him
back to his father; or if thou pleasest to retain him with thee
as a slave, I am fitter to labor for thy advantage in that
capacity, and, as thou seest, am better prepared for either of
those sufferings." So Judas, being very willing to undergo any
thing whatever for the deliverance of his brother, cast himself
down at Joseph's feet, and earnestly labored to assuage and
pacify his anger. All his brethren also fell down before him,
weeping and delivering themselves up to destruction for the
preservation of the life of Benjamin.
10. But Joseph, as overcome now with his affections, and no
longer able to personate an angry man, commanded all that were
present to depart, that he might make himself known to his
brethren when they were alone; and when the rest were gone out,
he made himself known to his brethren; and said, "I commend you
for your virtue, and your kindness to our brother: I find you
better men than I could have expected from what you contrived
about me. Indeed, I did all this to try your love to your
brother; so I believe you were not wicked by nature in what you
did in my case, but that all has happened according to God's
will, who has hereby procured our enjoyment of what good things
we have; and, if he continue in a favorable disposition, of what
we hope for hereafter. Since, therefore, I know that our father
is safe and well, beyond expectation, and I see you so well
disposed to your brother, I will no longer remember what guilt
you seem to have had about me, but will leave off to hate you
for that your wickedness; and do rather return you my thanks,
that you have concurred with the intentions of God to bring
things to their present state. I would have you also rather to
forget the same, since that imprudence of yours is come to such
a happy conclusion, than to be uneasy and blush at those your
offenses. Do not, therefore, let your evil intentions, when you
condemned me, and that bitter remorse which might follow, be a
grief to you now, because those intentions were frustrated. Go,
therefore, your way, rejoicing in what has happened by the
Divine Providence, and inform your father of it, lest he should
be spent with cares for you, and deprive me of the most
agreeable part of my felicity; I mean, lest he should die before
he comes into my sight, and enjoys the good things that we now
have. Bring, therefore, with you our father, and your wives and
children, and all your kindred, and remove your habitations
hither; for it is not proper that the persons dearest to me
should live remote from me, now my affairs are so prosperous,
especially when they must endure five more years of famine."
When Joseph had said this, he embraced his brethren, who were in
tears and sorrow; but the generous kindness of their brother
seemed to leave among them no room for fear, lest they should be
punished on account of what they had consulted and acted against
him; and they were then feasting. Now the king, as soon as he
heard that Joseph's brethren were come to him, was exceeding
glad of it, as if it had been a part of his own good fortune;
and gave them wagons full of corn and gold and silver, to be
conveyed to his father. Now when they had received more of their
brother part to be carried to their father, and part as free
gifts to every one of themselves, Benjamin having still more
than the rest, they departed.
Continue on to
Book
Two,
Chapter 7,
The Antiquities of the Jews
by
Flavius Josephus
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The Antiquities of the Jews - Table of Contents
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