•According to the notice from J, inserted in v.l4, from the dungeon, in which J represents him as imprisoned (4016^3921-23),
t According to E, more than 9 (411-**) ; taking account of the additional dates given by P (373 41-'«), more than 20(13-Hhe 7 of 41«).
t 4113, cf . V.S2. In the parallel narrative of J, this information must have been given in answer to Joseph's express inquiry see 43" 4419.
JOSEPH
JOSEPH
r69
them. Their conscience, the narrator reinarlo, smites tlicm ; they recognize in tlieir misfortunes a nemesis for tlieir treatment of Josepli ; and Heubcn — who regularly takes the lead in E — reminds them how he had sought to divert them from their puriiose. Josej)!! understood all the time what they were saying, and was much moved by it : he adheres, however, to his terms, and retains as hostage, not indeed Kcuben, his former protector, but the next ehlest of his brethren, Simeon. Having secretly given orders for each man's money to be restored into his sack, and havin" given them provision for the way, he lets the others go, and they i eturn to Canaan. Arrived there, they report to tlieir father what had befallen them : the surprising discovery of the money in their sacks* ailds to their and his anxiety ; and he bitterly reproaolies them for their inconsiderate treatment of him. Reuben steps forward, and oilers his two sons as surety for tlie safe return of Bcnjaniin from Egj-pt.
Tlie narrative is now continued by a long extract from J (-12^-44*', with the exceptions noted). The famine continuing in Canaan, Jacob is obliged a second time to send to Egypt for com : Tie is reluctant at first to let Benjamin go as well : but after the representations of Judah, — who takes the lead in J (<f. 37-"), as Heulien does in E,— and his otler to be surety for his safe return (cf. tlie similar oiler of Reuben in E, 42"), he consents, sending at the same time a present, to conciliate, if pos- sible, the favour of the great E^ptian governor. Josej'h, seeing Benjamin with his other brothers, and perceiving thus that they have ppoken the tnith, prepares to show them friendliness, and invites them to a feast in his house. E mentions at this point that Simeon was released to them. They make ready their present for Joseph ; and as he comes in, a second time (cf. 42*'') fullil uncon- sciously his dreams (37'- ") : he inquires tenderly for his father, and expresses his satisfaction at seeing Benjamin. At the feast, they are surprised to find themselves seated according to their ages, and Benjamin honoured with a ' mess,' — or honorary portion (cf. 2 S 11"), — five times as large as any of theirs.
The d(no^ment now approaches. The brethren depart, with their sacks filled with corn, Joseph havin" privately given orders for his divining-cup to be hidden in Benjamin's sack. Before they can have gone far, he sends messengers after them, who overtake them, and tax them with the theft. Their consciences are clear ; anil thcj- voluntarily ofTer the oll'ender to justice. Dismay and despair seize them, when the cup is found in Benjamin's sack. With allected indignation, Joseph re- proaches them with what they have done : Judah, in reply, speaking on behalf of them all, attempts no excuse ; for no excuse seems to be po.ssible : a just retribution has overtaken them (cf. 42"); they will all remain bondmen in Egj-pt. But Joseph pres.ses his advantage home: ho will only retain Benjamin. Judah now steps forward, and in a speech of striking beauty, remarkable not less for grace and ]iersuasive eloquence than for frankness and generosity, intercedes on Benjiunin's behalf: explaining how all had happened from tlio beginning, he entreats Joseph to have compa.-sion on the feelings of an aged fallier, and to allow him to remain as bondman himself in his brother's stead (44""**). Uvercomo by the pathos of Judah's appeal, and convinced at Ia.st of his brethren's
* In J <8c« 43^) this Hisoovery It made at the lodi^n^-plaoo by the way ; and 42^- ^ is an extract from J'a accuuiit of It (notice nnKn ' th» ono," Inipl.vInK others to follow, not IPM. Olwtervf al»o that the unusual word nrwDH tafk, occurring 13 times In ch. 43-44 (J), oocura also twice in 42''''**, and not elKwhere in the UT). VOL. II.— 4Q
altered mind, Joseph discloses himself to them (cli. 4.5 E*). His first inquiry is for his father. For a while they can give no answer for amazement ; but he reassures them, and allays their fears : in what the}' have done, they have been, after all, the unconscious instruments of Providence, for ' (lod did send me before you to preserve life ' (45'- '• *). And he sends an auectionate message to his father, to come and settle in Egypt, and be supiiorted by him there.
Lj pon Jacob's arrival in Egypt, Joseph hastens to meet his father in Goshen (46''''''*' J). He presents five of his brethren to the Pharaoh, who upon learning from them that they are shepherds, agrees to ''rant them an abode in GOSHEN (vih. see), a pastoral district about Saft el-tlenneh, some 40 miles N.E. of Cairo (46»'-47*-'»' J ; cf. 47'>-«* P).+ (According to P (47'") Jacob himself is introduced by Joseph to the Pharaoh ; and Joseph assigns hini, at the Pharaoh's command, an abode in the ' land of Raineses,' — probably a name for the E. part of the Delta, which Ramses II., the Pharaoh of the oppression, beautified by many new build- ings, and often made his residence.) X