2.170
When he came to the Well of the Oath, (Beersheba,) he offered sacrifice
to God; and being afraid that the happiness there was in Egypt might tempt
his posterity to fall in love with it, and settle in it, and no more think
of removing into the land of Canaan, and possessing it, as God had promised
them; as also being afraid, lest, if this descent into Egypt were made
without the will of God, his family might be destroyed there; out of fear,
withal, lest he should depart this life before he came to the sight of
Joseph; he fell asleep, revolving these doubts in his mind.
2.172
But God stood by him, and called him twice by his name; and when
he asked who he was, God said, "No, sure; it is not just that thou,
Jacob, shouldst be unacquainted with that God who has been ever a protector
and a helper to thy forefathers, and after them to thyself: for when thy
father would have deprived thee of the dominion, I gave it thee; and by
my kindness it was that, when thou wast sent into Mesopotamia all alone,
thou obtainedst good wives, and returnedst with many children, and much
wealth. Thy whole family also has been preserved by my providence; and
it was I who conducted Joseph, thy son, whom thou gavest up for lost, to
the enjoyment of great prosperity. I also made him lord of Egypt, so that
he differs but little from a king. Accordingly, I come now as a guide to
thee in this journey; and foretell to thee, that thou shalt die in the
arms of Joseph: and I inform thee, that thy posterity shall be many ages
in authority and glory, and that I will settle them in the land which I
have promised them."
2.176
Jacob, encouraged by this dream, went on more cheerfully for Egypt
with his sons, and all belonging to them. Now they were in all seventy.
I once, indeed, thought it best not to set down the names of this family,
especially because of their difficult pronunciation [by the Greeks]; but,
upon the whole, I think it necessary to mention those names, that I may
disprove such as believe that we came not originally from Mesopotamia,
but are Egyptians. Now Jacob had twelve sons; of these Joseph was come
thither before. We will therefore set down the names of Jacob's children
and grandchildren. Reuben had four sons - Anoch, Phallu, Assaron, Charmi.
Simeon had six - Jamuel, Jamin, Avod, Jachin, Soar, Saul. Levi had three
sons - Gersom, Caath, Merari. Judas had three sons - Sala, Phares, Zerah;
and by Phares two grandchildren, Esrom and Amar. Issachar had four sons
- Thola, Phua, Jasob, Samaron. Zabulon had with him three sons - Sarad,
Helon, Jalel. So far is the posterity of Lea; with whom went her daughter
Dinah. These are thirty-three. Rachel had two sons, the one of whom, Joseph,
had two sons also, Manasses and Ephraim. The other, Benjamin, had ten sons
- Bolau, Bacchar, Asabel, Geras, Naaman, Jes, Ros, Momphis, Opphis, Arad.
These fourteen added to the thirty-three before enumerated, amount to the
number forty-seven. And this was the legitimate posterity of Jacob. He
had besides by Bilhah, the handmaid of Rachel, Dan and Nephtliali; which
last had four sons that followed him - Jesel, Guni, Issari, and Sellim.
Dan had an only begotten son, Usi. If these be added to those before mentioned,
they complete the number fifty-four. Gad and Aser were the sons of Zilpha,
who was the handmaid of Lea. These had with them, Gad seven - Saphoniah,
Augis, Sunis, Azabon, Aerin, Erocd, Ariel. Aser had a daughter, Sarah,
and six male children, whose names were Jomne, Isus, Isoui, Baris, Abar
and Melchiel. If we add these, which are sixteen, to the fifty-four, the
forementioned number [70] is completed note
Jacob not being himself included in that number.
2.184
When Joseph understood that his father was coming, for Judas his
brother was come before him, and informed him of his approach, he went
out to meet him; and they met together at Heroopolis. But Jacob almost
fainted away at this unexpected and great joy; however, Joseph revived
him, being yet not himself able to contain from being affected in the same
manner, at the pleasure he now had; yet was he not wholly overcome with
his passion, as his father was. After this, he desired Jacob to travel
on slowly; but he himself took five of his brethren with him, and made
haste to the king, to tell him that Jacob and his family were come; which
was a joyful hearing to him. He also bid Joseph tell him what sort of life
his brethren loved to lead, that he might give them leave to follow the
same, who told him they were good shepherds, and had been used to follow
no other employment but this alone. Whereby he provided for them, that
they should not be separated, but live in the same place, and take care
of their father; as also hereby he provided, that they might be acceptable
to the Egyptians, by doing nothing that would be common to them with the
Egyptians; for the Egyptians are prohibited to meddle with feeding of sheep.
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