Month: August 2020

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 48

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 50

1. And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.
   
2. Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.
   
3. Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
   
4. Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.
   
5. Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.
   
6. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.
   
7. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.
   
8. Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee.
   
9. Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
   
10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
    
11. Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:
    
12. His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.
    
13. Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.
    
14. Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens:
    
15. And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.
    
16. Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.
    
17. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.
    
18. I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.
    
19. Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
    
20. Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.
    
21. Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.
    
22. Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:
    
23. The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:
    
24. But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
    
25. Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:
    
26. The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
    
27. Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.
    
28. All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.
    
29. And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,
    
30. In the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace.
    
31. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.
    
32. The purchase of the field and of the cave that is therein was from the children of Heth.
    
33. And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.

1. This starts off sounding like it’s going to be an apocalyptic prophecy. Unfortunately, it’s not. It’s just Jacob ragging on most of his sons.
   
2. Hear ye, hear ye, Jacob (not Israel) speaks.
   
   
   
3. Aw how nice.
   
   
   
   
4. And this immediately turns sour.
   
   
   
   
5. Aw, how mean.
   
   
6. Sounds like Jacob REALLY doesn’t like Simeon or Levi.
   
   
   
   
7. Divide them in Jacob? WTF does this mean?
   
   
8. Judah, in the original hebrew, sounds like the hebrew word for “Praise”. That might be the origin of the name.
   
   
9. Sounds like Judah isn’t being completely ragged on… still not a super nice picture of him.
   
   
10. Not entirely sure who this Shiloh person is supposed to be.
    
    
    
11. That’s a lot of references to wine.
    
    
    
    
12. Is Shiloh some sort of drunkard?
    
    
13. Claims this guy will live by the sea. This doesn’t work though. Zebulun is land locked…
    
14. As opposed to being strong of ass?
    
    
15. Guess he’s happy with his lot in life
    
    
    
    
16. Apparently Dan means “He provides justice”.
    
17. Isn’t it a bit suspicious to have a judge named “He who provides justice” being compared to a snake?
    
18. This disrupts the narrative. 0/10 slaves.
    
19. This guy is going to be attacked and fail to defend, but ultimately prevail?
    
20. Someone gets a good lot out of life.
    
    
21. This guy sounds like he gets a good reading from jacob as well.
    
22. Jacob is really obsessed with Joseph. He spends 5 verses on him. I think we found the next main chracter.
    
23. Probably referencing his brothers.
    
    
24. God kept him strong apparently despite there not really being evidence for this.
    
    
    
25. But why? Jacob claims all this will happen, but there’s been no real reason to believe any of this.
    
    
    
26. Apparently Joseph is the chosen one now.
    
    
    
    
    
    
27. Huh… back to hating on his offspring.
    
    
    
28. I’d honestly do literally anything other than forming a tribe if I were these kids just to spite Jacob at this point.
    
    
29. After telling them how much he kinda hates most of them, why would they?
    
    
    
30. Yeah, no. That’s a long walk. They should do literally anything else.
    
    
    
    
31. Recap of the past.
    
    
    
32. That was a pretty weird chapter too.
    
    
    
33. Jacob shouts “YEET!” and yeets his soul out of his body. And dies.

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 47

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 49

1. And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
   
2. And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.
   
3. And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,
   
4. And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.
   
5. And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
   
6. And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance.
   
7. And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.
   
8. And Israel beheld Joseph’s sons, and said, Who are these?
   
9. And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.
   
10. Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
    
11. And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.
    
12. And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
    
13. And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near unto him.
    
14. And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.
    
15. And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,
    
16. The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
    
17. And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head unto Manasseh’s head.
    
18. And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.
    
19. And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
    
20. And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
    
21. And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.
    
22. Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.

1. Joseph tells pharaoh that his dad is sick. Presumably he’s taking a paid vacation.
   
   
   
2. Is Jacob going blind?
   
   
   
   
3. Sounds crazy, but go on.
   
   
   
4. Yeah, he keeps promising that to everyone he meets.
   
   
   
   
5. He’s claiming Joseph’s kids as his own? I don’t think it quite works that way…
   
   
   
   
6. They really make a big deal about this intangible inheritance, don’t they.
   
   
   
7. Alright.
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. Memory loss too? He already knows they’re Joseph’s sons.
   
9. Jacob… er Israel… wants to bless them.
   
   
   
   
10. That seems a bit personal.
    
    
    
    
11. I thought I’d never see you again, and yet here I am also seeing your kids.
    
    
12. Why would he bow down though?
    
    
    
13. He’s trying to get his firstborn on the right side because that’s the “good” side. Iron age reasoning at it’s finest.
    
    
    
14. Jacob would have to cross his arms to do this… wouldn’t Joseph have noticed?
    
    
    
    
15. He’s blessing Joseph first
    
    
    
    
16. Let there be kids.
    
    
    
    
    
    
17. Joseph is a bit confused as to why Jacob has his arms crossed.
    
    
    
    
18. And asks him to straighten them so he’s got it right.
    
    
19. Jacob is stubborn and decides to screw the firstborn out of his inheritance. I’m starting to wonder if the firstborn has ever received anything throughout the entire bible.
    
    
    
20. AKA: You are Israelites now.
    
    
    
    
21. AKA: I’m dying! Don’t worry, god will be with you.
    
    
22. Joseph is getting extra inheritance.

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 46

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 48

1. Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen.
   
2. And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.
   
3. And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers.
   
4. They said morever unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.
   
5. And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee:
   
6. The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.
   
7. And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
   
8. And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?
   
9. And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.
   
10.  And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.
    
11. And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
    
12. And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.
    
13. And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine.
    
14. And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house.
    
15. And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.
    
16. And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.
    
17. And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.
    
18. When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:
    
19. Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.
    
20. And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh’s.
    
21. And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof.
    
22. Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.
    
23. Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land.
    
24. And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.
    
25. And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.
    
26. And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part, except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh’s.
    
27. And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.
    
28. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years.
    
29. And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:
    
30. But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said.
    
31. And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed’s head.

1. Continues right where chapter 46 ends.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Takes 5 of his brothers to see the pharaoh.
   
   
   
3. Ya know, we’ve never heard what pharaoh’s name was. He’s literally just “Pharaoh” this entire time.
   
   
4. They brothers say that they want to live in Goshen.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Pharaoh comments on how Joseph has some visitors.
   
   
6. And says it’s alright with him if they go live there. They gotta work for the Pharaoh though.
   
   
   
   
7. Just imagine an old man walking into a room and randomly blessing you. Would you be comfortable with that?
   
8. AKA: Dude… you look ancient
   
   
9. Jacob is 130. Remember back in Genesis 6:3 when people were supposed to die at 120? It’s still not happening.
   
   
   
   
   
10. This guy is handing out blessings left and right. Two authors again?
    
11. You could potentially say that the pharaoh is named Ramses because of this, but it’s not stated that it is the pharaoh’s name. It’s the land of Ramses, which sounds like a predecessor when put that way.
    
12. Joseph keeps everyone alive because man… this guy is just the greatest.
    
    
13. People in Canaan are either all dead OR they are wiped out enough to not be relevant anymore.
    
    
14. Seems like this would cause a return to bartering if there was truly no money for the people to use.
    
    
    
15. Did they have inflation? Why did the money fail? Was it because all the money was at pharaoh’s treasury?
    
    
    
16. This seems like an odd trade: Livestock for bread.
    
17. They’re willingly going for this. It seems like Joseph is getting his dear old dad to profit off of Egypt’s (and the surrounding area’s) misfortune already.
    
    
    
18. AKA: We have nothing left to give and yet still you want to take from us.
    
    
    
    
    
19. What’s next, our land?
    
    
    
    
    
    
20. Using all the money in Egypt, Joseph buys all of Egypt. This seems… odd.
    
    
    
21. So… Joseph just moves people around now and possibly enslaves them?
    
    
22. The priests were the only faction to be fine with not selling their land.
    
    
    
    
23. Joseph lords the fact that he owns everything over the people and lays down the ground rules. They WILL farm.
    
    
24. And when they finish farming, they WILL give up some of it to the pharaoh.
    
    
    
    
    
25. And… they’re grateful for this? Yeah right.
    
    
    
26. Any evidence of this law in Egyptian records? Anywhere? Oh just asking… ya know… no reason… just curious….
    
    
27. Sounds like he’s prospering while everyone else is put into servitude.
    
    
    
28. Jacob lived another 17 years
    
    
    
29. And Jacob told Joseph to grab his junk
    
    
    
    
    
    
30. And then swear that he’d bury him in Canaan.
    
    
    
31. And Joseph swore.

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 45

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 47

1. And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.
   
2. And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.
   
3. And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
   
4. I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.
   
5. And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.
   
6. And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:
   
7. His sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.
   
8. And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn.
   
9. And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.
   
10. And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman.
    
11. And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
    
12. And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zarah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.
    
13. And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron.
    
14. And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel.
    
15. These be the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padanaram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters were thirty and three.
    
16. And the sons of Gad; Ziphion, and Haggi, Shuni, and Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli.
    
17. And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel.
    
18. These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, even sixteen souls.
    
19. The sons of Rachel Jacob’s wife; Joseph, and Benjamin.
    
20. And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.
    
21. And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.
    
22. These are the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen.
    
23. And the sons of Dan; Hushim.
    
24. And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem.
    
25. These are the sons of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and she bare these unto Jacob: all the souls were seven.
    
26. All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob’s sons’ wives, all the souls were threescore and six;
    
27. And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.
    
28. And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.
    
29. And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.
    
30. And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.
    
31. And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father’s house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father’s house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;
    
32. And the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.
    
33. And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation?
    
34. That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

1. Time to get travelling and making sacrifices again.
   
   
2. Even god can’t seem to keep Jacob’s… er Israel’s (No no, Jacob actually…) name straight.
   
3. This is sounding quite like every other time that god shows up to a person. He really like founding nations.
   
4. Uh…. no. Jacob dies in Egypt, he’s never brought back out.
   
   
5. I’m still not sure why the wagons were sent in the first place.
   
   
   
   
6. Weren’t they told to leave everything behind last chapter?
   
   
   
7. AKA: Everyone came with him.
   
   
   
8. Oh no… not another one of these…. Why are there so many genealogies? 1 Direct son.
   
   
9. That son had 4 sons (but how many daughters? We’ll never know)
   
10. 1 Direct son, that son had 6 sons. Why is one specified to be from another woman? Probably to make this 7 (6 + 1)
    
11. 1 direct son with 3 sons.
    
    
12. 1 son who has 5 sons, and 1 son with 2 sons. Oh look… we have a 7 again. These authors are REALLY forcing 7’s in where they can.
    
13. 1 son with 4 sons
    
    
14. 1 son with 3 sons
    
    
15. Aight… not sure why you care how many were there.
    
    
    
16. 1 son with 7 sons
    
    
17. 1 son with 4 sons and 1 daughter, 1 son with 2 sons. Why is the daughter mentioned here an no others? To make the kids total 7
    
18. The total for the sons so far is 16. Note that they ignore the daughter again.
    
    
19. 2 sons
    
    
20. Joseph had 2 sons
    
    
    
    
21. benjamin had 10 sons
    
    
    
22. Why don’t they go more generations? Or less? This is all contrived.
    
23. 1 son with 1 son
    
24. 1 son with 4 sons
    
    
25. The sons above with their sons total 7.
    
    
    
    
26. Total sons + that random daughter: 71.
    Total – Joseph and his kids: 67
    Total – the random daughter from verse 17: 66. This is misogynistic.
    
27. Total Sons + random daughter: 71
    Threescore and 10: 70
    What a bunch of assholes. I know it was common at the time, but I hate them now.
    
28. Judah goes and gets a map.
    
    
    
29. Everyone has a good cry.
    
    
    
    
    
30. And Jacob… er Israel… wants to die now.
    
    
    
31. He wants to show off his family to Pharaoh. Cool idea. Any records of this visit? No? Oh… no reason… just asking….
    
    
    
    
32. They have a trade
    
    
    
    
33. Here’s what you sy when he asks you your trade.
    
    
34. No. shepherds were not abominations. Egyptians actually had their own shepherding of sheep they did. Welcome to yet another false claim from the bible. What a surprise.

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 44

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 46

1. 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.
   
2. And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.
   
3. 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.
   
4. 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.
   
5. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
   
6. 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.
   
7. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
   
8. 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.
   
9. 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:
   
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:
    
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.
    
12. And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.
    
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.
    
14. And he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.
    
15. Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.
    
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.
    
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;
    
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.
    
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.
    
20. Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is your’s.
    
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.
    
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.
    
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.
    
24. So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.
    
25. And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,
    
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.
    
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:
    
28. And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.

1. Joseph can’t take it anymore and starts crying while telling his brothers that it’s him.
   
   
   
   
2. He’s noisy enough that everyone heard.
   
   
3. Didn’t we just go over this last chapter? These writers like to repeat themselves.
   
   
   
4. They don’t believe him… I can’t imagine why. Lying to people tends to have that effect.
   
   
5. Joseph really likes speaking for god. Did he ever talk to him? Did god ever reveal any plans? Not that I remember reading about.
   
   
6. So Joseph claims.
   
   
   
   
7. Again speaking for god. Why bring god into this at all? There was never any indication that god did any of this.
   
8. Not really… god let him interpret some dreams. The Pharaoh thought that was useful.
   
   
9. Man this kid has a grandiose view of himself. It’s no wonder that he was sold into slavery to try knock his ego down a peg or two.
   
10. Joseph is just giving land away.
    
    
    
    
    
11. I’ll take care of you guys if you do.
    
    
    
    
12. Why is Benjamin considered so important this entire time? It’s really not clear.
    
    
13. Hurry and tell dear ‘ol dad this.
    
    
    
    
14. Everyone cries.
    
    
    
15. And then kisses and makes out.
    
    
    
16. But why? I presume that Pharaoh would be a little concerned about having more random people to feed.
    
    
17. This sounds like a repetition of the verses above. Separate authors again?
    
    
18. Yeah, this is literally the same thing.
    
    
    
    
19. Only difference is, the Pharaoh is saying it this time.
    
    
    
20. AKA: Leave everything and come here.
    
    
21. And so they did. This appears to follow the Pharaoh speaking timeline.
    
    
    
22. Why the heck is Benjamin so special… seriously?
    
    
    
23. Why? They’ll be travelling right back again. Wouldn’t it make more sense to keep them in Egypt?
    
    
    
24. AKA: Make sure you come back.
    
    
    
25. They went home
    
    
    
26. Yeah, this is a pretty unbelievable claim
    
    
    
    
27. So… are they implying that Jacob nearly died here?
    
    
    
    
28. Jacob rejoices that Joseph is still alive.

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 43

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 45

1. And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man’s money in his sack’s mouth.
   
2. And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.
   
3. As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses.
   
4. And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
   
5. Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.
   
6. And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.
   
7. And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:
   
8. Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord’s house silver or gold?
   
9. With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen.
   
10. And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.
    
11. Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.
    
12. And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.
    
13. Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.
    
14. And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph’s house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.
    
15. And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?
    
16. And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.
    
17. And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.
    
18. Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.
    
19. My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
    
20. And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.
    
21. And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.
    
22. And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.
    
23. And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.
    
24. And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.
    
25. And our father said, Go again, and buy us a little food
    
26. And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man’s face, except our youngest brother be with us.
    
27. And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two sons:
    
28. And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:
    
29. And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
    
30. Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad’s life;
    
31. It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.
    
32. For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.
    
33. Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.
    
34. For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.

1. AKA: We’re giving their money back again.
   
   
   
   
2. Sounds like Joseph has something special planned for Benjaminny.
   
   
   
3. They leave.
   
   
4. Was the steward part of this whole deception? Did Joseph tell him what he planned? If not, the steward probably has some questions about this obvious setup.
   
   
   
5. AKA: You took a cup, how could you!
   
   
   
6. Good pacing, doesn’t pad out the reading time. 3/5 Cleopatras.
   
7. AKA: We didn’t do this!
   
   
   
8. We brought back the money we tried to pay with last time, why would we steal anything?
   
   
   
9. AKA: If your servants have it, kill that servent.
   
   
10. Whoever has the shiny is a slave, everyone else is free to go.
    
    
    
11. Get to searching quickly.
    
    
    
12. Searched oldest to youngest. Of course it’s in Benjamin’s sack.
    
    
13. Everyone returns to egypt.
    
    
14. They bow down before Joseph.
    
    
    
15. AKA: What have you all done? Didn’t you realize I’d notice this?
    
    
16. AKA: We’re all your slaves now to make up for a missing silver cup. This really doesn’t seem right… punishment doesn’t quite fit the crime. I’d offer to pay for the cup first before offering up lifelong servitude.
    
    
17. Joseph and his brothers really like speaking for god, don’t they? Anyways, just says only the cup-bearer is supposed to be the servant.
    
18. AKA: Please listen up closely and don’t get mad.
    
    
    
    
19. And the writers start to pad out the read time here a bit. I’ll translate shorter texts.
    
20. AKA: We have a father and a brother.
    
    
    
    
21. You said bring the brother by.
    
    
    
22. We said our dad would die if the youngest left.
    
    
23. And you said don’t you dare come back without him.
    
    
24. So we told our dad this.
    
    
    
25. We ate the food, so he said go buy food again.
    
26. We said we need to take Benjamin with because you warned us not to come back without him.
    
    
    
27. Our dad said that his wife had two sons.
    
    
28. And one is probably dead
    
    
    
29. And if the other also dies, he’ll die of grief.
    
    
    
30. So if we get home and Benjamin isn’t with us,
    
    
    
31. Dad will see he’s not there and probably die of grief.
    
    
    
    
32. I took direct responsibility for Benjamin and am to blame if he doesn’t get back.
    
    
    
33. So please, let me stay instead of Benjamin.
    
    
    
34. How could I live with myself otherwise?

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 42

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 44

1. And the famine was sore in the land.
   
2. And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.
   
3. And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
   
4. If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:
   
5. But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
   
6. And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?
   
7. And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?
   
8. And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones.
   
9. I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:
   
10. For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.
    
11. And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:
    
12. And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:
    
13. Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:
    
14. And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
    
15. And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
    
16. And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.
    
17. And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.
    
18. And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.
    
19. And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,
    
20. And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
    
21. And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.
    
22. And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.
    
23. And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.
    
24. And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.
    
25. And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.
    
26. And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
    
27. And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?
    
28. And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.
    
29. And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
    
30. And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.
    
31. And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.
    
32. And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
    
33. And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.
    
34. And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of their’s. And they drank, and were merry with him.

1. Yeah, we already heard know
   
2. How much food did they take? Did this last them days? Months? How long has Simeon been in prison now? Do the brothers/Jacob even care about him?
   
3. AKA: We gotta bring Benjaminny.
   
   
   
   
4. Send Benjamin and we go.
   
   
5. If not, we don’t go.
   
   
   
   
6. Oh look, they call him Israel in this chapter. They didn’t last chapter.
   
   
7. AKA: They realize that the request is strange and unreasonable, but they didn’t do anything about it.
   
   
   
   
8. AKA: We gotta do this.
   
   
   
   
9. AKA: If anything happens, I’m to blame.
   
   
   
   
10. AKA: We really should have gone back already.
    
11. Jacob decides to send a bribe with to try ensure the safety of his children. Not a bad idea actually.
    
    
    
    
12. And he’s also making them take enough to repay just in case they stole the money somehow. He’s being surprisingly reasonable in this case.
    
13. Take Benjaminny and go
    
    
14. AKA: I really hope nothing bad happens.
    
    
    
    
15. How easy is Joseph to find there? Presumably there’d be some evidence of him being there too, right? No? Oh… carry on then.
    
16. This is kinda ambiguous…. it almost sounds like he intends to slay his brothers. That’s not the case, and he really means slay some food, but still…
    
17. AKA: how much of this book should have been summed up.
    
18. They’re worried about the money. Seeing as they apparently weren’t there when it was returned, that’s somewhat reasonable.
    
    
    
    
    
19. They’re not going inside quite yet. Must not have been invited in.
    
    
20. And here the brothers tell the tale of the double money.
    
21. AKA: We don’t know how, but we still have all our money from last time. We brought it back here.
    
    
    
22. This is another redundant verse. Get rid of it.
    
    
23. They should REALLY be looking askance at this guy by now. Seriously. Why would he speak about a god, singular, when the Egyptians had a polytheistic faith? It doesn’t line up.
    
24. They were welcomed in and taken care of. This is ALSO something that a complete stranger who thinks they’re spies wouldn’t do.
    
25. Gotta prepare for eating some food with the guy who keeps accusing them of stuff.
    
    
26. Oh look.. Joseph’s dreams from oh so long ago are starting to come true. People point to this as prophecy fulfillment. I point out that any work of fiction can do that.
    
27. AKA: Is dad still alive?
    
    
    
28. AKA: Yes.
    
    
    
    
29. He sees Benjamin, and apparently this moves him to tears for some reason. Why? Unclear. It’s never explained why he liked Benjamin so much.
    
    
30. But why? We need details people! If you’re going to pad out your word count with retelling things ad naseum, at least you could provide some details.
    
31. AKA: He goes out and keeps from crying.
    
    
32. Why? I haven’t researched this quite yet, but I’m pretty sure this isn’t a thing. It seems more likely that this was made up to keep Joseph separate from them for a little longer. Egyptians eating with Hebrews is a VERY specific thing.
    
33. AKA: The brothers eat and are surprised that everything is going so well.
    
    
    
34. Benjamin got the most food.

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 41

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 42

1. Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?
   
2. And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.
   
3. And Joseph’s ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.
   
4. But Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.
   
5. And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
   
6. And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.
   
7. And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.
   
8. And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.
   
9. And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
   
10. And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.
    
11. We are all one man’s sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.
    
12. And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
    
13. And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.
    
14. And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies:
    
15. Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.
    
16. Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.
    
17. And he put them all together into ward three days.
    
18. And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:
    
19. If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:
    
20. But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.
    
21. And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.
    
22. And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.
    
23. And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.
    
24. And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.
    
25. Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man’s money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.
    
26. And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence.
    
27. And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack’s mouth.
    
28. And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?
    
29. And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying,
    
30. The man, who is the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country.
    
31. And we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies:
    
32. We be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.
    
33. And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone:
    
34. And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land.
    
35. And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack: and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.
    
36. And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.
    
37. And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.
    
38. And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

1. It’s been years since Joseph was sold into slavery, and the brothers are STILL cagey when Egypt comes up? I don’t buy it.
   
2. AKA: Go get us some food because we’re kinda hungry here.
   
   
   
3. Why are so many people needed? Protection from bandits?
   
4. First we’ve heard about Benjamin… and since he’s been introduced this way, we know something will happen to him.
   
5. What responsible brothers… they go to do exactly what was asked of them so they can live.
   
6. He was in charge of selling this by himself? That is a HUGE bottleneck. There’s no way that one person would be able to do everything by himself. He’d need some hired help for this.
   
7. This is sounding like a slightly different take on the whole “She’s my sister” narrative we got in other chapters. These people just LOVE to lie to others. How is this a good thing?
   
8. To be fair, last time Joseph saw them, they sold him into slavery.
   
9. Sounds like Joseph is still bitter about the entire ordeal still. If only someone could have told the brothers that actions have consequences…
   
10. Also… how would Joseph recognize them? Presumably it’s been YEARS.
    
11. AKA: Please don’t hurt us
    
    
12. It sounds like Joseph just wants to mess with them. Fair enough for what they did.
    
13. This is a very strange protestation to being called a spy. “We can’t be spies because we come from another country and are all brothers. 2 aren’t here right now”
    
14. Here we see a little something called “No Evidence” for this claim.
    
15. How would this prove anything? The brothers should be calling him out for just being weird.
    
16. This is surely the most convoluted way to get too-good-for-this-world Benjamin back into the main questline. The devs need to work on their narrative storywriting skills or hire an outside contractor.
    
17. But why? Didn’t he want them to go and fetch Benjamin? This makes no sense.
    
18. They should really ask him which god. That would clear things up.
    
19. AKA: Take your stuff home, but I’m keeping one of you here.
    
    
20. And make sure to bring Benjamin back. He’s very important because reasons and I said so.
    
21. They’re feeling remorseful still? It was years ago. I’m surprised they think this little event has anything at all to do with selling Joseph into slavery. There is NO logical link between the two from their point of view.
    
22. There’s still no reason to believe that there is any link between this situation and selling Joseph, especially since Joseph disguised himself.
    
23. See? Exactly what I was saying. They shouldn’t see any link between this. 1/5 Hieroglyphs. Needs better plot.
    
24. The “He” in this situation is Joseph, just in case you got lost.
    
    
    
25. So… everyone gets a refund for the grain that they buy? That’s no way to run a business. Seems like they should be feeling somewhat suspicious about this little escapade by now.
    
26. Time to move out.
    
    
27. Yeah, we were told that earlier.
    
    
    
    
28. Were the brothers not there when the money was put into the sacks? This is somewhat convoluted. Also, god did nothing. This is the work of men. Stop blaming god you ninny’s.
    
29. Hopefully we don’t have the authors about to pad out their word count again…
    
    
30. Dadgummit… at least it’s not padded out too much.
    
    
31. This is unnecessary. Were I the editor of the original, I’d take this out.
    
32. And this. Why repeat yourself? We, the audience, already know this information.
    
    
33. Additional blathering on about what we already know.
    
    
    
    
34. Seems like they really should be very confused about HOW this is supposed to prove anything to any reasonable person. They could come back with a random kid and claim it’s their brother.
    
35. They really must not have been present when the sacks were loaded or something.
    
    
    
    
36. AKA: I don’t want to lose yet another kid. Benjamin isn’t going nowhere (and of course, the double negative means he WILL be going somewhere… but in the next chapter.)
    
37. This is stupid in the extreme. “You lost Joseph, and if I don’t bring benjamin back, kill my sons”. Do the sons have any say in this?
    
38. AKA: Benjaminny ain’t going nowhere.

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 40

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 42

1. And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
   
2. And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.
   
3. And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river.
   
4. And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.
   
5. And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
   
6. And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.
   
7. And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.
   
8. And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
   
9. Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
   
10. Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard’s house, both me and the chief baker:
    
11. And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
    
12. And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.
    
13. And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.
    
14. Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
    
15. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
    
16. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
    
17. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:
    
18. And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:
    
19. And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
    
20. And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:
    
21. And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
    
22. And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:
    
23. And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
    
24. And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.
    
25. And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
    
26. The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
    
27. And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
    
28. This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.
    
29. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
    
30. And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;
    
31. And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.
    
32. And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
    
33. Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
    
34. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
    
35. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
    
36. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
    
37. And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
    
38. And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
    
39. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
    
40. Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
    
41. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
    
42. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
    
43. And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
    
44. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
    
45. And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
    
46. And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.
    
47. And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.
    
48. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.
    
49. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.
    
50. And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.
    
51. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.
    
52. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
    
53. And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.
    
54. And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
    
55. And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.
    
56. And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.
    
57. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

1. Oh look… a dream. We know what’s going to happen soon. Joseph is standing at stage left.
   
2. 7 fat cows come out of a river and are eating
   
   
3. 7 other thin cows pop out of the river and stand nearby.
   
   
   
4. The thin cows are carnivorous and eat the fat cows.
   
   
5. 7 good ears of corn show up
   
   
   
6. and 7 thin ears of corn show up
   
   
7. somehow corn manages to eat corn. Are we supposed to be surprised this was a dream when we’re told it was a dream?
   
8. But why? People have weird dreams all the time and don’t get all troubled by it.
   
   
   
   
   
9. AKA: The butler is going to own up about Joseph
   
10. References the last chapter
    
    
    
11. Also referencing the last chapter
    
    
    
12. Sounds like we’re about to have Joseph yoinked out of his cell because this is about him.
    
    
    
13. We never get to know the Pharaoh or the butler’s name, do we?
    
    
14. How nice of them to allow him to clean himself up after who knows how long in a dungeon.
    
    
    
15. AKA: Interpret this dream already
    
    
    
    
    
16. AKA: I can’t, god can.
    
    
    
17. Dadgummit… I hate when the writers do this. Is it because there were multiple writers who didn’t collaborate??
    
18. next
    
    
    
19. next
    
    
    
    
20. next
    
    
21. next
    
    
    
    
22. hurry up
    
    
23. Stop repeating
    
    
    
24. we already heard this
    
    
    
25. And now we get to interpreting.
    
    
    
26. 7 good years are coming
    
    
    
27. followed by 7 years of famine. These authors REALLY like the number 7.
    
    
    
28. Why doesn’t the Pharaoh ever ask which god Joseph is referring to?
    
    
29. And we get more repetition
    
    
30. And even more
    
    
    
    
31. AKA: This is going to be a terrible famine
    
    
    
32. This sounds like a justification for adding in repetitions and stories from different authors.
    
    
33. AKA: Hey Pharaoh, find someone smart to do something about this.
    
    
34. AKA: This guy should use 1/5th of the land in egypt to stock up
    
    
    
35. How are they going to store all this? And how would they keep it from rotting? They don’t have any technology for this.
    
    
36. Good idea, but still… how would you store all of this?
    
    
    
37. AKA: Pharaoh agrees
    
    
38. Why would the Pharaoh, someone who would not believe in the Hebrew god, ask this question?
    
39. Again with the mentioning of god, singular. Did the bible writers not know anything about Egyptian gods?
    
40. Oh look, this is pretty much the exact same thing as has always happened. Joesph is just SO awesome, you know?
    
    
41. And this starts a bunch of mythologizing
    
    
42. Yeah…. probably never happened, even if Joseph existed (heavily debatable).
    
    
    
43. Also probably never happened.
    
    
    
    
44. This sounds remarkably like the Pharaoh is handing over all control to Joseph. This would never happen.
    
45. What is with the name changes that every person we’ve followed has randomly had?
    
    
    
    
46. AKA: Joseph gets to work
    
    
    
    
    
47. We’re supposed to find this amazing, but it seems more likely that this is a story.
    
48. Presumably he didn’t gather up all the food.. people still gotta eat
    
    
    
    
49. That would be a lot of corn. Is this more, or less, than we make in a year with modern farming techniques? We can count that.
    
50. Again with the annoying repetition within a verse repeating. Joseph gets two kiddos.
    
    
    
51. Presumably this is supposed to mean something special in Hebrew.
    
    
    
52. And presumably this is supposed to mean something in hebrew too?
    
    
53. Famine starts.
    
    
54. Time to start using the stores of food I guess.
    
    
    
55. AKA: Pharaoh tells them “It’s not my problem”
    
    
    
    
56. And he starts selling the food to the Egyptians. Probably did wonders for the Egyptian royal treasury. Any records of this? No? Oh, no reason… just curious…
    
    
57. If this was truly worldwide, Egypt would have run out of food pretty quickly if everyone bought from them. If this happened, it was regional.

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 39

Genesis Annotated: Chapter 41

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.
   
2. And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.
   
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.
   
4. And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.
   
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.
   
6. And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.
   
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?
   
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.
   
9. And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me;
   
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:
    
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.
    
12. And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:
    
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.
    
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:
    
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.
    
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:
    
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.
    
18. And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:
    
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.
    
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.
    
21. And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand:
    
22. But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
    
23. Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

1. We never hear about why. Any records we could use to back this up with?
   
   
   
2. Again, why? What did these guys do to deserve this? Steal a sweetroll?
   
   
3. This sounds like there is either one prison where prisoners are sent, or Joseph is already in the capital.
   
4. This is still a terrible idea. Why have a prisoner in charge of other prisoners? This warden should be fired.
   
5. This verse shows the common repetitions that happened due to this being an oral epic, this verse does show.
   
   
   
6. How many prisoners are in here? Presumably Joseph knows these two personally.
   
7. Stop repeating yourself. I really hate this waste of time.
   
   
8. The Baker and the Butler should have immediately asked “Which one? Osiris? Amun? Ra? Amun-Ra? Tutu? …” This book takes the Hebrew god as a fact and works with that assumption though.
   
9. Dude saw a vine
   
   
   
10. Vines are considered female apparently.
    
    
    
    
11. Gives the Pharaoh some fresh made wine.
    
    
    
    
12. Ok, but what does the vine itself represent then?
    
    
13. AKA: It’s gonna be fine dude. You’re getting your job back.
    
    
    
    
14. AKA: Get me outta here when you’re free.
    
    
    
    
15. I’m pretty sure many people in prison claim they’re innocent.
    
    
    
16. This guy assumes that Joseph is going to give him a good interpretation as well?
    
    
    
    
17. I can guess that, due to story telling symmetry and lack of a pharaoh in this one, that this guy is gonna die in 3 days.
    
    
18. Got the 3 days part
    
    
    
19. And the dead part.
    
    
    
    
20. Pharaoh’s gotta party
    
    
    
    
    
21. What a shock… prophecy fulfillment in a work of fiction. Who could have seen that coming?
    
22. See note for verse 21
    
    
23. AKA: The butler is a dick.