VERSE 1 So Israel set out with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac (qx'c.yI wybia' yhel{ale ~yxib'z> xB;z>YIw: [b;V'ƒhr'aeB. aboY"w: Al-rv,a]-lk'w> laer'f.yI [S;YIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. nasa pull up; break camp; "set out" + p.n. Israel + waw w/noun m.s.constr. kol + rel.pro. asher + prep lamedh w/3m.s.suff. + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. bo come + p.n. Beersheba + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. zabach sacrifice + noun m.p.abs. zebach sacrifice + prep lamed w/noun m.p.constr. Elohim + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. abh + p.n. Isaac]).

VERSE 2 God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, "Jacob, Jacob." And he said, "Here I am (ynINEhi rm,aYOw: bqo[]y: bqo[]y: rm,aYOw: hl'y>L;h; taor>m;B. laer'f.yIl. ~yhil{a/ rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar + noun m.p.abs. Elohim + prep lamed w/p.n. Israel + prep beth w/noun f.p.constr. mare-ah vision + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. layelah night + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar + p.n. Jacob + p.n. Jacob + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar + p.n. Jacob + interj hinneh w/1s.suff. behold; "Here am I"])."

VERSE 3 He said, "I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there (~v' ^m.yfia] lAdG" yAgl.-yKi hm'y>r;c.mi hd'r>me ar'yTi-la; ^ybia' yhel{a/ laeh' ykinOa' rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar + pro.1s. anoki I + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. El + noun m.p.constr. Elohim + noun m.s.constr.w/2m.s.suff. abh + neg al + Qal impf.2m.s. yare fear + prep min w/Qal infin.constr. yarad go down + p.n. Egypt + part ki + prep lamed w/noun m.s.abs. goi nation + adj.m.s.abs. gadol great + Qal impf.1s. w/2m.s.suff. shim appoint, put, make + adv sham there]).

VERSE 4 "I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will close your eyes (^yn<y[e-l[; Ady" tyviy" @seAyw> hl{['-~g: ^l.[;a; ykinOa'w> hm'y>r;c.mi ^M.[i dreae ykinOa' [pro.1s. anoki I + Qal impf.1s. yarad go down + prep im w/2m.s.suff. + p.n. Egypt + waw w/.pro.1s. anoki I + Hiphil impf.1s.w/2m.s.suff. alah go up + conj gam + Qal infin.constr. alah go up; "surely" + waw w/p.n. Joseph + Qal impf.3m.s. shith put, set; "close" + noun f.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. yadh hand + prep al + noun f. dual constr.w/2m.s.suff. ayin eye])."

ANALYSIS: VERSES 1-4

1. Chapters 46 & 47 contain seven scenes: (1) God appears to Jacob [46:1-4]; (2) Jacob journeys to Egypt [46:5-27]; (3) Joseph and Jacob reunited (46:28-34]; (4) Joseph’s brothers meet Pharaoh [47:1-6]; (5) Jacob meets Pharaoh [47:7-10]; (6) Joseph cares for his family and Egypt [47:11-26]; (7) Jacob prepares to die [47:27-31].
2. In this first scene Jacob pulls up camp at Hebron and travels about 26 miles south to Beersheba (cf. 37:14).
3. Beersheba marks the practical southern border of the land (cf. 2Sam. 24:2 "from Dan to Beersheba").
4. Beyond Beersheba cultivation is difficult as the desert prevails.
5. For "set out" see also 12:9; 20:1; 35:21.
6. "Israel" is the preferred name where travel to and fro to Egypt is concerned (cf. 42:5).
7. At Beersheba for one last time Jacob offers sacrifice "to the God of his father Isaac."
8. These sacrifices all point to the reality--the advent and work of Christ on the cross.
9. The principal offerings were the burnt offering and the peace offering (cf. Lev. 3).
10. Here perhaps the primary motive was thanksgiving.
11. As it turned out Jacob had much to be thankful for with news the brothers brought back from Egypt.
12. On occasion the offering of sacrifice was preliminary to prophetic inspiration (Num. 23:1, 14, 20; Ps. 50:5; Isa. 6:6).
13. "Visions of the night" refers to what Jacob experienced the evening after his worship of God at Beersheba (v.2).
14. Compare Abraham’s experiences in chaps 15 & 18.
15. What Jacob saw on this occasion is not told us, only the auditory aspect is revealed.
16. The insistent repetition, "Jacob, Jacob" recalls 22:11 and the climatic conclusion to Abraham’s test followed by direct revelation.
17. Abraham also responded with "Here am I."
18. Moses too was summoned—"Moses, Moses"—and replied, "Here am I" (Ex. 3:4).
19. God proceeds to identify Himself with, "I El, the God of your father."
20. "God of your father" is a common epithet in the Jacob stories (cf. 28:13; 31:5, 29, 42, 53; 32:9).
21. The self-description links all the previous moments of revelation to the patriarchs as well as forward to the next great moment, i.e., the call of Moses: "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Ex. 3:6).
22. "Do not be afraid" or literally, "Stop being afraid" is used in situations where the patriarch is under apprehension about the future (Abraham in 15:1 and Isaac in 26:24; cf. Isa. 7:4).
23. Fear drove Abraham to retreat from the geographical will of God (12:10-13), but Jacob is told that he should entertain no anxiety with respect to the move that he was in the process of making when God appeared to him for the first time in a long time.
24. Jacob had been invited to relocate to Egypt by Joseph, the ruler of all Egypt, and all signs pointed to the rightness of his action.
25. Yet privately Jacob fretted; after all he would be leaving the land of promise to relocate in the foreign land for the foreseeable future.
26. Was he just reacting to difficult circumstances and running from danger like his father Abraham?
27. Jacob’s mind was not at ease on this topic as he went to sleep that night in Beersheba.
28. There was a clash between the promise of the land and his present necessity and his desire to see Joseph.
29. To migrate to Egypt was a momentous move as was Abraham’s journey from Ur (12:1-3).
30. Jacob made three momentous moves during his lifetime: his flight to Mesopotamia [28:2-11] and his return to Canaan [31:3-54].
31. All of Jacob’s moves were encouraged by visions.
32. This vision occurred in Beersheba, Isaac’s home base (cf. 26:23-25).
33. Apart from divine approval a move like this could seem like faithlessness.
34. And so, God gives Jacob the green light, which put all his qualms to rest.
35. The divine promise "I will make you a great nation there" is close in terminology to 12:2; 17:20; 18:18; 21:18.
36. This promise also infers the promise of a multitude of descendants the other pillar of the Abrahamic Covenant (also the land grant).
37. The new element here is featured in the adverb "there," (v.3) namely in Egypt nationhood would be achieved, and not Canaan, the land of promise.
38. "I shall go down with you" reiterates another theme familiar in the patriarchal narratives—God’s protective presence that guarantees success/blessing (cf. 26:24; 28:15, 20; 31:3,5, 42; 39:2-3, 21,23).
39. This promise would also be made later to Moses (Ex. 3:12) and Joshua (Josh. 1:5).
40. This same promise is made to adjusted believers of the royal family (Heb. 13:5 "Make sure that your manner of life is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," a quote from Deut. 31:6,8).
41. "I will also surely bring you up again" (v.4) consists of the personal pronoun "I" and the infinite absolute with the hiphil imperfect of "bring up" makes this promise very emphatic.
42. This promise does not exclusively refer to the burial of Jacob in Canaan, but like 15:13-16, the only comparable pronouncement in Genesis, an announcement of the Exodus.
43. Notice this about verse 4: "I will accompany you" [Jacob and family]; "I will bring you up again" (the nation); "and Joseph will close your [Jacob’s] eyes."
44. There is an intriguing illustration between the individual and the collective, a well-known feature of OT thought.
45. For the first time Jacob can clearly understand the specifics of Abraham’s traumatic vision.
46. In that prophetic vision dealing with the future of his people, Abraham learned that his descendants (Isaac to the Exodus Generation) would be resident aliens ("strangers") in an land that is not theirs (Canaan and Egypt) for four hundred years.
47. The start up date for this challenging prophecy was the birth of Isaac (1846 BC), and its end date was the Exodus in 1446 BC (= 400 years).
48. Abraham received this promise/prophecy when he was still without the designated heir/seed.
49. "Your descendants" refers to all who followed him down to the Exodus generation.
50. A misleading aspect of the NAS translation of this verse is the word "where" which is simply the conjunction "and."
51. Abraham’s race/descendants, were like himself, "strangers" living in lands not actually theirs.
52. First Canaan, and finally Egypt, was where the chosen race sojourned.
53. Part, but by no means all of their sojourning, consisted of enslavement by the resident nation—e.g., Egypt.
54. Israelite enslavement and oppression (two verbs in 15:13) constituted of only a fraction of the 400 years of Gen. 15:13 (quoted by Stephen in Acts 7:6).
55. After all, Jacob and company entered Egypt as welcomed guests, and this lasted until sometime after the death of Joseph.
56. From the call of Abraham in 1876, to be a sojourner, to the Exodus, is 430 years, according to Paul (cf. Gal. 3:16-17).
57. A terribly misleading and mistranslated verse is Ex. 12:40 which should read: "Now the sojourning of the sons of Israel, who lived in Egypt, was 430 years (cf. 12:41).
58. This verse like the one in Galatians is dated from the call of Abraham.
59. The verse cited in Gen. 15 is to be dated from the birth of Isaac (1846 BC).
60. Thirty years after the call of Abraham Isaac was born to Abraham in his 100^th year.
61. The first five years of the chosen peoples’ sojourning was accomplished before Abraham first entered the land of promise.
62. Abraham was 70 years of age when he was called out of Ur, and five years later he first set foot in Canaan (Gen. 12:4).
63. He died at age 175, having lived in the land 100 years.
64. Jacob who was certainly familiar with the prophecy of Israel’s sojourning(s) now knew what nation would mistreat and enslave his descendants prior to their departure back to the land of promise/Canaan.
65. Joseph, I believe, figured it out after his rise to ruler of all Egypt.
66. Hence, his seeming audacity in telling his family to relocate to Egypt during the famine.
67. God leaves for last the promise that "Joseph will close your eyes."
68. The reference to Joseph by God is very special in that it shows how God is fully on top of all things.
69. God did not refer to Joseph when Jacob last heard from Him on the occasion of the Bethel revelation which occurred after Joseph was sold into slavery (cf. Gen. 35:9-13; cp 35:1).
70. There was 22 years between transmissions.
71. God knew Jacob would fail the test associated with Joseph’s dreams and suffer mental anguish unnecessarily.
72. Jacob should have known from the 2^nd dream that specified a 12^th son (11^th star) when there was only eleven sons that Joseph was alive and destined for greatness.
73. The eleven stars (brothers) bowing down to the 12^th star was the key that demonstrated the veracity of Joseph’s dreams.
74. The promise to Jacob in v. 4 (dying grace) is both unusual and moving.
75. It is a promise of a peaceful and blessed death with his long lost son at his side in his final moments on this earth.
76. God deals with one of Jacob’s personal concerns—the circumstances of his passing.
77. In death, whenever it comes, Jacob is promised dying grace.
78. Frail and elderly notwithstanding, Jacob will die in peace and not sorrow as he so often opined (cf. 37:25; 42:38; 44:29).
79. There definitely is a reward for the righteous!
80. God blessed Jacob to the very end even though he failed the Joseph test.

The Trek to Egypt (vv. 5-8)

VERSE 5 Then Jacob arose from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob and their little ones and their wives in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him (Atao tafel' h[or>P xl;v'-rv,a] tAlg"[]B' ~h,yven>-ta,w> ~P'j;-ta,w> ~h,ybia] bqo[]y:-ta, laer'f.yI-ynEb. Waf.YIw: [b;v'ƒraeB.mi bqo[]y: ~q'Y"w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. qum arise + p.n. Jacob + prep min w/p.n. Beersheba + waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. nasha carry + noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Israel + d.o. marker + p.n. Jacob + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.p.suff. abh + waw w/d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr. w/3m.p.suff. taph little one + waw w/d.o. marker + noun f.p.constr.w/3m.p.suff. ishshah wife + def.art.w/prep beth w/noun f.p.abs. algalah wagon + rel.pro. asher + Qal perf.3m.s. shalach send + p.n. Pharoah + prep lamed w/Qal infin.constr. nasha carry + d.o. marker w/3m.s.suff.]).

VERSE 6 They took their livestock and their property, which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and came to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him (ATai A[r>z:-lk'w> bqo[]y: hm'y>r'c.mi WaboY"w: ![;n:K. #r,a,B. Wvk.r' rv,a] ~v'Wkr>-ta,w> ~h,ynEq.mi-ta, Wxq.YIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. laqach take + d.o. marker + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.p.suff. miqeneh cattle; livestock + waw w/d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.p.suff. rekush property + rel.pro. asher + Qal perf.3p. rakash acquire, collect + prep beth w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Canaan + waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. bo come + p.n. Egypt + p.n. Jacob + waw w/noun m.s.constr. kol + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. zera descendant + prep eth w/3m.s.suff.]):

VERSE 7 his sons and his grandsons with him, his daughters and his granddaughters, and all his descendants he brought with him to Egypt (hm'y>r'c.mi ATai aybihe A[r>z:-lk'w> wyn"B' tAnb.W wyt'nOB. ATai wyn"b' ynEb.W wyn"B' [noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ben + waw w/noun m.p.constr. ben + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. "grandsons" + prep eth w/3m.s.suff. + noun f.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. bath daughter + waw w/noun f.p.constr. bath + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. bath "granddaughters" + waw w/noun m.s.constr. kol + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. zera descendants + Hiphil perf.3m.s. bo bring + prep eth w/3m.s.suff. + p.n. Egypt]).

VERSE 8 Now these are the names of the sons of Israel, Jacob and his sons, who went to Egypt: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn (!beWar> bqo[]y: rkoB. wyn"b'W bqo[]y: hm'y>r;c.mi ~yaiB'h; laer'f.yI-ynEB. tAmv. hL,aew> [waw w/adj.p.abs. elleh these + noun m.p.constr. shem name + noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Israel + def.art.w/Qal part.m.p.abs. bo go + p.n. Egypt + p.n. Jacob + waw w/noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ben + noun m.s.constr. bekor firstborn + p.n. Jacob + p.n. Reuben]).

VERSE 9 The sons of Reuben: Hanoch and Pallu and Hezron and Carmi (ymir>k;w> !Arc.x,w> aWLp;W %Anx] !beWar> ynEb.W [waw w/noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Reuben + p.n. Hanoch + waw w/p.n. Pallu + waw w/p.n. Hezron + waw w/p.n. Carmi]).

VERSE 10 The sons of Simeon: Jemuel and Jamin and Ohad and Jachin and Zohar and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman (tynI[]n:K.h;-!B, lWav'w> rx;cow> !ykiy"w> dh;aow> !ymiy"w> laeWmy> !A[m.vi ynEb.W [waw w/noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Simeon + p.n. Jemuel + waw w/p.n. Jamin + waw w/p.n. Ohad + waw w/p.n. Jachin + waw w/p.n. Zohar + waw w/p.n. Shaul (Saul) + noun m.s.constr. ben + def.art.w/p.n. Canaanite]).

VERSE 11 The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (yrIr'm.W th'q. !Avr>GE ywIle ynEb.W [waw w/noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Levi + p.n. Gershon + p.n. Kohath + p.n. Merari]).

VERSE 12 The sons of Judah: Er and Onan and Shelah and Perez and Zerah (but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan) (![;n:K. #r,a,B. !n"Aaw> r[e tm'Y"w: xr;z"w" #r,p,w" hl'vew> !n"Aaw> r[e hd'Why> ynEb.W [waw w/noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Judah + p.n. Er + waw w/p.n. Onan + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. muth die + waw w/p.n. Shelah + waw w/p.n. Perez + waw w/p.n. Zerah + prep beth w/noun boths.abs. eretz + p.n. Canaan]).

And the sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul (lWmx'w> !Arc.x, #r,p,-ynEb. Wyh.YIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. hayah "were" + noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Perez + p.n. Hezron + waw w/p.n. Hamul]).

VERSE 13 The sons of Issachar: Tola and Puvvah and Job and Shimron (!Arm.viw> bAyw> hW"puW [l'AT rk'Xf'yI ynEb.W [waw w/noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Issachar + p.n. Tola + waw w/p.n. Puvvah + waw w/p.n. Lob + waw w/p.n. Shimron]).

VERSE 14 The sons of Zebulun: Sered and Elon and Jahleel (lael.x.y:w> !Alaew> dr,s, !luWbz> ynEb.W [waw w/noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Zebulon + p.n. Sered + waw w/p.n. Elon + waw w/p.n. Jahleel]).

VERSE 15 These are the sons of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Paddan-aram, with his daughter Dinah (ATbi hn"yDI taew> ~r'a]ƒ!D;p;B. bqo[]y:l. hd'l.y" rv,a] ha'le ynEB. hL,ae [adj.m.p.abs. elleh these + noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Leah + rel.pro. asher + Qal perf.3f.s. yalad bear + prep lamed w/p.n. Jacob + prep beth w/p.n. Paddan-Aram + waw w/d.o. marker + p.n. Dinah + noun f.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. bath]; all his sons and his daughters numbered thirty-three [vl{v'w> ~yvil{v. wyt'Anb.W wyn"B' vp,n<-lK' [noun m.s.constr. kol + noun f.s.abs. nephesh soul + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ben + waw w/noun f.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. bath + adj.m.p.as. sheloshim thirty + waw w/adj.f.s.abs. shalosh three]).

VERSE 16 The sons of Gad: Ziphion and Haggi, Shuni and Ezbon, Eri and Arodi and Areli (yliaer>a;w> ydIAra]w: yrI[e !Boc.a,w> ynIWv yGIx;w> !Ayp.ci dg" ynEb.W [waw w/noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Gad + p.n. Ziphion + waw w/p.n. Haggi + p.n. Shuni + waw w/p.n. Ezbon + p.n. Eri + was w/p.n. Arodi + waw w/p.n. Areli]).

VERSE 17 The sons of Asher: Imnah and Ishvah and Ishvi and Beriah and their sister Serah (~t'xoa] xr;f,w> h['yrIb.W ywIv.yIw> hw"v.yIw> hn"m.yI rvea' ynEb.W [waw w/noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Asher + p.n. Imnah + waw w/p.n. Ishvah + waw w/p.n. Ishvi + waw w/p.n. Beriah + waw w/p.n. Beriah + waw w/p.n. Serah + noun f.s.constr.w/3m.p.suff. achoth sister]).

And the sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel (laeyKil.m;W rb,x, h['yrIb. ynEb.W [waw w/noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Beriah + p.n. Heber + waw w/p.n. Malchiel]).

VERSE 18 These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Leah; and she bore to Jacob these sixteen persons (vp,n" href.[, vve bqo[]y:l. hL,ae-ta, dl,Tew: ATbi ha'lel. !b'l' !t;n"-rv,a] hP'l.zI ynEB. hL,ae [adj.p.abs. elleh these + noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Zilpah + rel.pro. asher + Qal perf.3m.s. nathan give + p.n. Laban + prep lamed w/p.n. Leah + noun f.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. bath + waw w/Qal impf.3f.s. yalad bear+ d.o. marker + adj.p.abs. elleh + prep lamed w/p.n. Jacob + adj.f.s.abs. shesh six + adj.f.s.abs. eser ten + noun f.s.abs. nephesh soul; "persons"]).

VERSE 19 The sons of Jacob's wife Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin (!miy"n>biW @seAy bqo[]y: tv,ae lxer' ynEB. [noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Rachel + noun f.s.constr. ishshah wife + p.n. Jacob + p.n. Joseph + waw w/p.n. Benjamin]).

VERSE 20 Now to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him (~yIr'p.a,-ta,w> hV,n:m.-ta, !ao !heKo [r;p,ƒyjiAP-tB; tn:s.a' AL-hd'l.y" rv,a] ~yIr;c.mi #r,a,B. @seAyl. dleW"YIw: [waw w/Niphal impf.3m.s. yalad were born + prep lamed w/p.n. Joseph + prep beth w/p.n. Egypt + rel.pro. asher + Qal perf.3f.s. yalad bear; "bore" + prep lamed w/3m.s.suff. + p.n. Asenath + noun f.s.abs. bath + p.n. Potiphera + noun m.s.abs. kohen priest + p.n. On + d.o. marker + p.n. Manasseh + waw w/d.o. marker + p.n. Ephraim]).

VERSE 21 The sons of Benjamin: Bela and Becher and Ashbel, Gera and Naaman, Ehi and Rosh, Muppim and Huppim and Ard (D>r>a'w" ~yPixuw> ~yPimu varow" yxiae !m'[]n:w> ar'GE lBev.a;w> rk,b,w" [l;B, !miy"n>bi ynEb.W [waw w/noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Benjamin + p.n. Bela + waw w/p.n. Becher +waw w/p.n. Ashbel + waw w/p.n. Gera + waw w/pr.n. Naaman + p.n. Ehi + waw w/p.n. Rosh + p.n. Muppim + waw w/p.n. Huppim + waw w/p.n. Ard]).

VERSE 22 These are the sons of Rachel, who were born to Jacob; there were fourteen persons in all (rf'[' h['B'r>a; vp,n<-lK' bqo[]y:l. dL;yU rv,a] lxer' ynEB. hL,ae [adj.p.abs. elleh + noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Rachel + rel.pro. asher + Qal perf.3m.s.s yalad bear + prep lamedh w/p.n. Jacob + noun m.s.constr. kol + noun f.s.abs. nephesh "persons" + adj.m.s.abs. arba-ah four + adj.m.s.abs. ashar ten]).

VERSE 23 The sons of Dan: Hushim (~yvixu !d'-ynEb.W [waw w/noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Dan + p.n. Hushim]).

VERSE 24 The sons of Naphtali: Jahzeel and Guni and Jezer and Shillem (~Leviw> rc,yEw> ynIWgw> laec.x.y: yliT'p.n: ynEb.W [waw w/noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Naphtali + p.n. Jahzeel + waw w/p.n. Guni + waw w/p.n. Jezer + waw w/p.n. Shillem]).

VERSE 25 These are the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Rachel, and she bore these to Jacob; there were seven persons in all (h['b.vi vp,n<-lK' bqo[]y:l. hL,ae-ta, dl,Tew: ATBi lxer'l. !b'l' !t;n"-rv,a] hh'l.bi ynEB. hL,ae [adj.p.abs. elleh + noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Bilhah + rel.pro. asher + Qal perf.3m.s. nathan give + p.n. Laban + prep lamed w/p.n. Rachel + noun f.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. bath + waw w/Qal impf.3f.s. yalad bear + d.o. marker + adj.p.abs. elleh + prep lamed w/p.n. Jacob + noun m.s.constr. kol + noun f.s.abs. nephesh "persons" + adj.m.s.abs. sheba seven]).

VERSE 26 All the persons belonging to Jacob, who came to Egypt, his direct descendants, not including the wives of Jacob's sons, were sixty-six persons in all (vvew" ~yVivi vp,n<-lK' bqo[]y:-ynEb. yven> db;L.mi Akrey> yaec.yO hm'y>r;c.mi bqo[]y:l. ha'B'h; vp,N<h;-lK' [noun m.s.constr. kol + def.art.w/noun f.s.abs. nephesh + def.art.w/Qal part.f.s.abs. bo; "belonging" + prep lamed w/p.n. Jacob + p.n. Egypt + Qal part.m.p.constr. yatsa go out; "who came" + noun f.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. yarek thigh; "direct descendants" + prep min w/prep lamed w/noun m.s.abs. bad "not including" + noun f.p.constr. ishshah wife + noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Jacob + noun m.s.constr. kol + noun f.s.abs. nephesh + adj.m.p.abs. shishshim sixty + waw w/adj.f.s.abs. shesh six]),

VERSE 27 and the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt were two; all the persons of the house of Jacob, who came to Egypt, were seventy (~y[ib.vi hm'y>r;c.mi ha'B'h; bqo[]y:-tybel. vp,N<h;-lK' ~yIn"v. vp,n< ~yIr;c.mib. Al-dL;yU-rv,a] @seAy ynEb.W [waw w/noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Joseph + rel.pro. asher + Qal perf.3m.s. yalad bear + prep lamed w/3m.s.suff. + prep beth w/p.n. Egypt + noun f.s.ab.s nephesh + adj.m. dual abs. shenayim two + noun m.s.constr. kol + def.art.w/noun f.s.abs. nephesh + prep lamed w/noun m.s.constr. bayith + p.n. Jacob + def.art.w/Qal perf.3f.s. bo come + p.n. Egypt + adj.m.p.abs. shibe-im seventy]).

VERSE 28 Now he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out the way before him to Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen (!v,GO hc'r>a; WaboY"w: hn"v.GO wyn"p'l. troAhl. @seAy-la, wyn"p'l. xl;v' hd'Why>-ta,w> [waw w/d.o. marker + p.n. Judah + Qal perf.3m.s. shalach send + prep lamedh w/noun both p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. paneh face + prep el + p.n. Joseph + prep lamedh w/Hiphil infin.constr. yarad throw; "to point out + prep lamedh w/noun both p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. paneh face + p.n. Goshen + waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. bo come + noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Goshen]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 5-28

1. Jacob is no longer inhibited to relocate the chosen race to Egypt based on the divine disclosure at Beersheba ("stop being afraid to go down to Egypt" v.3).
2. He also is no longer tormented with the circumstance of his death.
3. The recent disclosure cleared away any reservations and revealed four things to him: (1) in Egypt God would make his family "a great nation"; (2) God would be with him on his journey; (3) at the prophetically stated time his descendants would be brought up out of Egypt and established in the land of promise; (4) Joseph would be at his side when he died (vv. 3-4).
4. Jacob, along with his daughters-in-law and grandchildren were loaded into the wagons supplied by Pharaoh on their trip to Egypt (v.5).
5. The mention of "little ones" (babies and toddlers) is a precise designation as the ten older brothers were married and had started families.
6. This was an extreme relocation.
7. By intention he disregards Pharaoh’s suggestion that he leaves their possessions behind (cf. 45:20; v.6).
8. His possessions include livestock and physical goods.
9. These items were things God gave him and so he decides to take everything to Egypt.
10. He does not want to take advantage of Pharaoh’s generosity.
11. "His sons" of course refer to the eleven brothers; " his grandsons" are listed below; "his daughters" as far as we know only includes Dinah; and "his granddaughters" refer to some of the "little ones."
12. No counting of Leah, Bilhah, and Zilpah in this listing as they were not descendants of Jacob, nor were his daughter-in-laws.
13. The repetition of "all his descendants" in vv. 6 & 7 emphasizes that none of Jacob’s offspring is excluded from the covenant blessings.
14. His family, dysfunctional at times, has come together as God intended.
15. The genealogy that follows falls into six parts: (1) the introduction (v.8ab); (2) the sons of Leah (vv. 8c-15); (3) the sons of Zilpah (vv. 16-18); (3) the sons of Rachel (vv. 19-22); (4) the sons of Bilhah (vv. 23-25); (5) a summary statement (vv. 26-27); (6) a qualified total and a grand total (v.27).
16. Through Leah, Jacob obtains 33 descendants.
17. Jacob had four grandsons through his firstborn Reuben (v.9).
18. The names of Jacob’s descendants fall into one of three categories: animal and plant names, parts of the human body, and theophoric names.
19. Reuben’s oldest son’s name is Enoch (Hanoch), which was the eldest grandson of Adam and Jacob which means "to dedicate.’
20. Pallu means perhaps "God works miracles.’
21. Hezron is uncertain but is the same name as Judah’s grandson (v.12).
22. Carmi is means "vineyard."
23. He had six grandsons through his son Simeon (v.10).
24. Simeon’s firstborn Jemuel name is uncertain.
25. Jamin possible means "lucky."
26. Ohad is uncertain.
27. Jachin is short for ‘may God strengthen him.’
28. Zahor is a color, perhaps ‘white.’
29. "Shaul" or Saul appears to have been born out of wedlock (cp. Judah’s twins).
30. He had three grandsons through Levi (v.11).
31. Gershon is uncertain.
32. Kohath is uncertain.
33. Merair probably means ‘strong.’
34. He had five grandsons through Judah, but Er and Onan are not to be counted as they both died the sin unto death in Canaan (v.12).
35. Hezon is uncertain, and Hamul means ‘spared.’
36. "The sons of Perez" were of course born in Egypt, but they are counted in the 33 for Leah.
37. Perez and Hezron are counted in the line of Messiah.
38. Through Issachar Jacob had four grandsons.
39. Tola may mean ‘worm’ anticipating perhaps the clan’s involvement in the dye trade.
40. Puah means ‘madder’, possibly another clan involved in the dyeing trade.
41. Jashub (lob) is short for ‘may God return’ i.e., to grant another child.
42. Shimron is likely a place name, "Shomron," i.e., Samaria.
43. Some rendered the name of his 3^rd son "Lob" (NAS) as "Job" (KJV)or "Jashub" (NIV).
44. He had three grandsons through Zebulon (v.14).
45. Sered is unknown.
46. Elon means "oak."
47. Jahleel means "may God deal kindly."
48. Dinah is mentioned here but she in not included in the 33 descendants listed here (v. 15).
49. In vv. 15-18 we have the 16 descendants of Jacob through Zilpah, Leah’s maid.
50. Through his son Gad, Jacob had seven grandsons (v. 16).
51. Ziphion is unknown.
52. Haggi is possibly short for "festival" as in was considered especially joyous to be born on such a day.
53. Shuni is unknown.
54. Ezbron is related to the Arabic ‘to be bald.’
55. Eri means "watchful."
56. The meanings of Arodi and Areli are uncertain.
57. Through his son Asher, Jacob had four grandsons and one granddaughter (v.17).
58. Imnah is probably short for "may [God] allot him his portion."
59. Ishvah and Ishvi appear to be alternatives—meaning uncertain.
60. Beriah means "outstanding."
61. Serah may mean "cause to flourish."
62. Heber means "companion."
63. Malchiel means "My king is El."
64. The Zilpah list has sixteen persons (v. 18).
65. Rachel bore Jacob two sons: Joseph and Benjamin (v.19).
66. To Joseph two sons were born in Egypt: Manasseh and Ephraim (v.20).
67. Benjamin is the most prolific son of Jacob and Rachel.
68. The only wife of the brothers mentioned here by name is Joseph’s wife Asenath.
69. Note also the way in which Joseph’s sons are introduced in contrast to the rest---"to Joseph…were born…"
70. They are to be counted in the grand total of 70.
71. Since Benjamin was quite young when he entered Egypt it is out of the question that he had ten sons while in Canaan (v. 21).
72. These 10 were born to him in Egypt.
73. For Bela see 36:32.
74. Becher means "young camel."
75. Ashbel is uncertain.
76. Gera means "sojourner."
77. Naaman means "pleasantness."
78. Ehi is uncertain.
79. Rosh means "head."
80. Muppim and Huppim are uncertain.
81. Ard is short for "servant [of God]."
82. The grand total attributed to the Rachel group was fourteen male descendants (v.22).
83. In v. 23ff. we have the descendants of Jacob through Bilhah, Rachel’s maid.
84. Dan has but one son listed (v.23).
85. Hushim is uncertain.
86. And finally, Naphtali had four sons (v.24).
87. Jahzeel means "may God be gracious."
88. Guni perhaps is a partridge.
89. Jezer is probably short for Yetsrael.
90. Shillem is short for "[God] has rewared [the mother with a child] or "[God] has replaced a dead child."
91. Seven male offspring, sons and grandsons are counted in the Bilhah group (v.25).
92. The genealogical notation has the qualified total as 66 souls in all.
93. The first number 66, is the number of persons who migrated to Egypt with Jacob (v.26).
94. Adding Jacob would be bring the total to 67.
95. Excluded from the travelers are Er and Onan (v.12), as well as Joseph, Manasseh, and Ephrain, who were already in Egypt.
96. Eliminating those five names from the 70 listed brings the number to 65, but 66 is attained by the addition of Dinah.
97. The arithmetic is as follows: 32 (Leah) plus 16 (Zilpah) plus 11 (Rachel excluding Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim) plus 7 (Bilhah) equals 66.
98. The 2^nd number computed for Jacob’s offspring is 70 (v.27).
99. The increase from 66 in v. 26 to 70 in v. 27 is arrived at by the inclusion of Jacob, Joseph, and his two sons.
100. Dinah is counted in this list.
101. The number 7 (and multiples) is prominent in this genealogy, whose total number is 70 (7 x 10).
102. Reuben has fourteen descendants, and Bilhah has seven.
103. Together they have 21 descendants.
104. Together Leah and Bilah have 49 descendants.
105. The 7^th son of Jacob listed in this genealogy is Gad.
106. This is the only Jacobite genealogy in which Gad is in the 7^th position.
107. Interestingly, the numerical value of the seventh-placed Gad is 7 (g = 3, d = 4).
108. Vv. 1-7 tells us that Jacob will have one kind of company when he heads down to Egypt—God Himself.
109. Vv. 8-27 focuses on another kind of company—his extended family.
110. One might say that the number accompanying Jacob on his journey is 71, for he has God and his family to support him.
111. By way of review: Leah’s children included Reuben and 4 sons (= 5); plus Simeon and 6 sons (= 7); plus Levi and 3 sons (=4); Judah and 3 sons and 2 grandsons (= 6); Issachar and 4 sons (= 5); Dinah (1); Jacob (1) for a subtotal of 33.
112. Zilpah’s children include: Gad and 7 sons (= 8); Asher and 4 sons, 1 daughter and 2 grandsons (= 8) for a subtotal of 16.
113. Rachel’s children include: Joseph and 2 sons (= 3); Benjamin and 10 sons (=11) for a subtotal of 14.
114. Bilhah’s children include: Dan and 1 son (= 3); Naphtali and 4 sons (= 5) for a subtotal of 7.
115. The grand total is 70 where it is also mentioned in Ex. 1:5 and Deut. 10:22.
116. Jacob is credited here with 12 sons, 1 daughter, 53 grandsons, and 1 granddaughter, and 3 great grandsons.
117. The fact no wives are counted is because they were not "descendants" of Jacob.
118. Two females are counted in this listing—Dinah and Serah, Asher’s daughter (v.17).
119. This means that at this point Jacob had only one granddaughter (but see v.7).
120. Then there is the oddity of counting grandsons who were not yet born (e.g. Benjamin, Judah and Asher).
121. For me this is unresolved.
122. Only with Judah and Asher does the genealogy extend into the 4^th generation from Jacob (at this juncture Hebrew history arrived at the 5^th generation beginning with Abraham).
123. Why does the narrator remind us of Laban?
124. He is not writing to people who were in the dark about Zilpah and Bilhah.
125. The resurrection of Laban’s name momentarily throws us into the past.
126. It takes us back from Jacob’s seventy kin to a Jacob with no kin.
127. It recalls the similar test/crisis Jacob faced there.
128. In chap. 31 Jacob was preparing to leaven Paddan-Aram for Canaan under less than happy circumstances.
129. Here he is preparing to leave Canaan for Egypt under unsettling circumstances.
130. In chap. 31 he had to deal with Laban, here he has to deal with a famine.
131. In chap. 31 he fled with his family; here he moves with his family to an new land.
132. Jacob’s 53 grandsons are but names, included in genealogies, but excluded from narratives.
133. Nevertheless, God has a role for each—for the famous and for the otherwise unknown.

Jacob and Joseph Reunited (vv. 28-34)

VERSE 28 Now he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out the way before him to Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen (v,GO hc'r>a; WaboY"w: hn"v.GO wyn"p'l. troAhl. @seAy-la, wyn"p'l. xl;v' hd'Why>-ta,w> [waw w/d.o. marker + p.n. Judah + Qal perf.3m.s. shalach send + prep lamedh w/noun both p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. paneh face + prep el + p.n. Joseph + prep lamedh w/Hiphil infin.constr. yarad throw; shoot; "to point out the way" + prep lamedh /wnoun both p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. paneh; "before him" + p.n. Goshen + waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. bo come + noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Egypt]).

VERSE 29 Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel (hn"v.GO wybia' laer'f.yI-tar;q.li l[;Y:w: ATb.K;r>m, @seAy rsoa.Y<w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. asar bind, harness; "prepared" + p.n. Joseph + noun f.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. merkab chariot + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. alah go up + prep lamed w/Qal infin.constr. qara encounter + p.n. Israel + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. abh + p.n. Goshen]; as soon as he appeared before him, he fell on his neck and wept on his neck a long time [A[ wyr'aW"c;-l[; &.b.YEw: wyr'aW"c;-l[; lPoYIw: wyl'ae ar'YEw: [waw w/Nipahl impf.3m.s. ra-ah see + prep el w/3m.s.suff. + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. naphal fall + prep al + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. tsawwaron neck + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. baka weep + prep al + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. tsawwaron neck + adv odh go around; "for a long time"]).

VERSE 30 Then Israel said to Joseph, "Now let me die, since I have seen your face, that you are still alive (yx' ^d>A[ yKi ^yn<P'-ta, ytiAar> yrex]a; ~[;P'h; ht'Wma' @seAy-la, laer'f.yI rm,aYOw [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s.s amar + p.n. Israel + prep el + p.n. Joseph + Qal impf.1s.cohorative muth die + def.art.w/noun f.s.abs. pa-am step + adv achare after + d.o. marker + noun both p.constr.w/2m.s.suff. paneh face + part ki + adv odh still + adj.m.s.abs. chay living])."

VERSE 31 Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's household, "I will go up and tell Pharaoh, and will say to him (wyl'ae hr'm.aow> h[or>p;l. hd'yGIa;w> hl,[/a, wybia' tyBe-la,w> wyx'a,-la, @seAy rm,aYOw [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar + p.n. Joseph + prep el + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ach + waw w/prep el + noun m.s.constr. bayith household + noun m.s.constr.w/3s.suff. abh + Qal impf.1s. alah go up + waw w/Hiphil impf.1s. nagad make known; "tell" + prep lamed w/p.n. Pharoah + waw w/Qal impf.1s. amar + prep el w/3m.s.suff.], 'My brothers and my father's household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me [yl'ae WaB' ![;n:K.-#r,a,B rv,a] ybia'-tybeW yx;a [noun m.p.constr.w/1s.suff. ach + waw w/noun m.s.constr. bayith household + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. ach + rel.pro. asher who + prep beth w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Canaan + Qal perf.3p. bo come + prep el w/1s.suff.]);

VERSE 32 and the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock (hn<q.mi yven>a;-yKi !aco y[ero ~yvin"a]h'w> [Qal perf.3m.s. hayah + waw w/def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. ish + Qal part.m.p.constr. ra-ah graze; "shepherds" + part ki + noun m.p.constr. tson sheep; "keepers" + part ki + noun m.p.constr. ish + noun m.s.abs. miqenah livestock]; and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have [Wyh' Waybihe ~h,l' rv,a]-lk'w> ~r'q'b.W ~n"acow> [Qal perf.3p. hayah "they have" + waw w/noun f.s.constr.w/3m.p.suff. tson flock + waw w/noun m.s.constr.w/3m.p.suff. baqar cattle, ox + waw w/noun m.s.constr. kol + rel.pro. asher + prep lamed w/3m.p.suff. + Hiphil perf.3m.p. bo "have brought"]).'

VERSE 33 "When Pharaoh calls you and says, 'What is your occupation (~k,yfe[]M;-hm; rm;a'w> h[or>P; ~k,l' ar'q.yI-yKi hy"h'w [waw w/Qal perf.3m.s. hayah + part ki + Qal impf.3m.s. qara call out + prep lamed w/2m.p.suff. + p.n. Pharaoh + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar + interrog mah what? + noun m.p.constr.w/2m.p.suff. ma-asheh work; "occupation"])?'

VERSE 34 you shall say, 'Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers (rWb[]B; Wnyteboa]-~G: Wnx.n:a]-~G: hT'[;-d[;w> WnyreW[N>mi ^yd,b'[] Wyh' hn<q.mi yven>a; ~T,r>m;a]w: [waw w/Qal perf.2m.p. amar say + noun m.p.constr. enosh + noun m.s.abs. miqeneh livestock, cattle + Qal perf.3p. hayah + noun m.p.constr.w/2m.s.suff. ebed servant + prep min w/noun m.p.constr.w/1p.suff. ne-urim early life + waw w/pre adh until + adv attah now + conj gam also + pro.1p. anachnu we + conj gam + noun m.p.constr.w/1p.suff. abh],' that you may live in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is loathsome to the Egyptians [!aco h[ero-lK' ~yIr;c.mi tb;[]At-yK !v,GO #r,a,B. Wbv.Te rWb[]B [prep ba-abur on account of Qal impf.2m.p. yashab live + prep beth w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Goshen + part ki + noun f.s.constr. to-eba abominable + p.n. Egyptians + noun m.s.constr. kol + Qal part.m.s.abs. ra-ah graze, tend + noun both s.abs. ts-on sheep])."

ANALYSIS: VERSES 28-34

1. Judah is sent ahead by Jacob as point man for the caravan.
2. He is the direct object of the at the very beginning of v. 28.
3. Judah’s responsibility is the scout out the road ahead to Goshen.
4. He was not only familiar with the scenery but he had accorded himself well in the protection of Benjamin.
5. In other words, Jacob came to realize his special talents and devotion to the cause.
6. Judah was a natural born leader and man of uncommon courage.
7. His primary reasonability was to make contact with Joseph and to find the best route into Goshen.
8. First he made contact with Joseph and had him tell him the precise route into unfamiliar territory.
9. The caravan came to Goshen without incident.
10. Joseph makes immediate preparations to meet Jacob (Israel) in Goshen (v.29).
11. He prepares (literally "harnesses" from vb. ‘to bind’) his royal chariot and travels the short distance to the district of Goshen.
12. What he would normally leave to others he does for himself.
13. The meeting is especially emotion as Joseph is reduced to much weeping.
14. His tears of course are tears of joy.
15. The two are once again reunited after 22 years (he was 17 when he was taken from Jacob and now he is 39 years of age).
16. Joseph goes to see his father rather than wait and have him meet him at his residence.
17. He appears before his father in all his glory.
18. Nothing is said about Jacob’s response to the reunion of father and son.
19. The mere sight of his elderly and infirm father caused him to break down.
20. Jacob’s opening words after the period of tears focuses on what he believes to be the conclusion of his life (v.30).
21. "Now let me die, since I have seen your face, that you are still alive" are the sentiments of a man who thinks he has no more purpose on earth having fulfilled his niche.
22. And so, he is ready to die in peace.
23. For him he is happy to have survived to this point and to end it there and then.
24. Perhaps he interpreted God’s promise that Joseph would close his eyes as happening right after the reunion.
25. So for him seeing Joseph one last time was enough for him he is ready to die in peace.
26. But at age 130 he would live another seventeen years—the same amount of time he had lived with Joseph prior to his disappearance.
27. He would live out his final years in quite comfortable circumstances in Goshen where he could fellowship with Joseph and his extended family.
28. God had a special reason for keeping Jacob alive and it was up to Jacob to figure out why he was being kept alive.
29. Joseph knows that he is dealing with a delicate situation with regards to the permanent relocation of his people in Egypt/Goshen.
30. So in v. 31 he informs his family that he must "go up and inform Pharaoh" of their arrival.
31. He takes the necessary precautions to ensure that nothing would prevent his family remaining in Goshen.
32. In addition to the announcement of their arrival and presence in Goshen, he will tell Pharaoh of their occupation, namely that they are shepherds (v. 32).
33. He will hide nothing from Pharaoh.
34. His purpose is to inform Pharaoh that Joseph is not going to indulge in a frenzy of nepotism by filling the Egyptian civil service with them.
35. In other words, they will not be wards of the state.
36. His brothers have been herdsmen from their youth and intend to continue to look after their livestock and be self-sufficient in the future.
37. In so informing Pharaoh of their occupation Joseph hopes to indirectly hint that residing in Goshen is the ideal situation for all parties concerned.
38. Joseph says that he will make it clear to Pharaoh that his family perceives that this is a permanent move, and that what his family was in Canaan, they wish to be in Egypt.
39. They desire to change venues but not occupations.
40. Joseph’s parting counsel to his family concerns how they are to answer Pharaoh when he makes inquiry about their occupation (v. 33).
41. The pre-planned response is found in v. 34.
42. They are to say that their ancestors, and they, have been engaged in the livestock business.
43. Nothing is to be said about their being shepherds.
44. Remember that Joseph says he will tell Pharaoh that "the men are shepherds." (v.32).
45. Their answer to Pharaoh is that they are "keepers of livestock" which is less specific.
46. Their answer is diplomatic and not fully complete.
47. It is true that Abraham and Isaac were cattlemen.
48. Jacob seems to have gone in the direction of raising sheep.
49. The Egyptian xenophobia regarding the pastoral life (cf. 43:32) is not explained just stated as seen in the strong term "abomination" (to-ebah).
50. The Egyptian dislike of is probably based on a mistrust and fear of nomadic peoples in general by urban dwellers (like the modern attitude towards gypsies)
51. There is no such antipathy recorded in Egyptian literature.
52. Also see Ex. 8:26.
53. Joseph’s concern is to see to it that his family amicably settles on land that is on the margin of Egypt.
54. Pharaoh had said nothing about Goshen in his invitation that was Joseph’s suggestion.
55. Joseph’s actions here seem to be pretty much a waste of energy and a lack of faith-rest.