Diligence
(2-minute read)
In the aftermath of Isaac’s death, a devastating famine grips the land, bringing entire nations to their knees. Pharaoh, tormented by chilling dreams of seven healthy cows swallowed by their emaciated counterparts, and bountiful grain stalks devoured by withered husks, realizes these visions are dire omens of the trials to come. Frantically, he calls upon Egypt’s magicians and wise men, only to be met with confusion and frustration, their interpretations leading him further into despair. Just as hope seems lost, Merod, the king’s butler, remembers Joseph, the imprisoned Hebrew whose prophetic gifts once illuminated the darkness.
Emerging from the shadows of the dungeon, Joseph stands before Pharaoh’s resplendent throne, ready to unveil the truth. With calm conviction, he interprets the ominous dreams, revealing a future of seven years of abundance followed by a catastrophic famine. But when Pharaoh’s doubts rise, Joseph prophesies a birth that day, sealing his credibility as joy and sorrow intertwine in the palace. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Pharaoh resolves to appoint a leader to guide Egypt through the looming crisis, yet the laws of the land pose a barrier. That night, an angel bestows upon Joseph the power of tongues, allowing him to communicate with all in the court, astonishing those around him.
With his newfound authority, Joseph is elevated to second-in-command, clad in royal finery as he parades through Egypt, hailed by the masses as their savior. As Pharaoh bestows treasures, land, and respect upon him, the nation rallies behind their new leader, prepared to face the challenges ahead. Joseph’s reign begins, marked by wisdom and justice, as he builds a legacy of prosperity amidst the turmoil, bringing hope and order to a land once steeped in uncertainty.
Major Characters
Minor Characters
Insignificant Characters
GENESIS
28%
JASHER
65%
JUBILEES
7%
Exposition
J: 46 | Y: 2235 | Pharaoh’s 1st dream
Genesis 41:1-4, Jasher 48:1-4
Pharaoh’s 2nd dream
Genesis 41:5-7, Jasher 48:5
Rising Action
Pharaoh tells his magicians and wise men his dreams but they can’t interpret them properly
Genesis 41:8, Jasher 48:6-23, Jubilees 40:1
Pharaoh commands that the wise men and magicians be killed
Jasher 48:24-29
The chief butler tells Pharaoh about Joseph
Genesis 41:9-13, Jasher 48:30-40, Jubilees 40:2a
Climax
Joseph is brought before Pharoah
Genesis 41:14, Jasher 48:41, Jubilees 40:2b
Rules concerning approaching Pharaoh
Jasher 48:42-48
Pharaoh tells Joseph his dreams believing he can interpret them
Genesis 41:15-24, Jasher 48:49-51
Joseph interprets the dreams
Genesis 41:25-32, Jasher 48:52-56, Jubilees 40:3
Joseph advises Pharaoh on what to do
Genesis 41:33-36, Jasher 48:57-61, Jubilees 40:4
Pharaoh questions this interpretation and Joseph provides a sign so he’ll know it’s true
Genesis 41:37, Jasher 48:62-66
Falling Action
Pharaoh tries to find someone to be in charge of the food gathering project
Genesis 41:38, Jasher 49:1-5
The people advise Pharaoh to appoint Joseph
Jasher 49:6-12
The angel of YHWH taught Joseph the 70 languages
Jasher 49:13-15
Joseph ascends the 70 steps and is appointed by Pharaoh
Genesis 41:39-42, Jasher 49:16-23, Jubilees 40:5, 7
Joseph rides throughout the city and the people bow to him
Genesis 41:43-44, Jasher 49:24-31, Jubilees 40:6
Resolution
Pharaoh gave provisions to Joseph
Jasher 49:32-35
Joseph rules righteously over Egypt
Jubilees 40:8-9
Joseph marries Asenath (Osnath)
Genesis 41:45, Jasher 49:36-37, Jubilees 34:20j, 40:10
Joseph became 2nd in command
Genesis 41:46, Jasher 49:38, Jubilees 40:11
Joseph obtained servants and had a house built for himself
Jasher 49:39-42
Jubilee: 46
Year: 2235
Pharaoh’s 1st dream
Jasher 48:1
1 In those days, after the death of Isaac, the Lord commanded and caused a famine upon the whole earth.
Genesis 41:1-4
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.
Jasher 48:2-4
2 At that time Pharaoh king of Egypt was sitting upon his throne in the land of Egypt, and lay in his bed and dreamed dreams, and Pharaoh saw in his dream that he was standing by the side of the river of Egypt.
3 And whilst he was standing he saw and behold seven fat fleshed and well favored kine came up out of the river.
4 And seven other kine, lean fleshed and ill favored, came up after them, and the seven ill favored ones swallowed up the well favored ones, and still their appearance was ill as at first.
Pharaoh’s 2nd dream
Genesis 41:5-7
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.
Jasher 48:5
5 And he awoke, and he slept again and he dreamed a second time, and he saw and behold seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good, and seven thin ears blasted with the east wind sprang, up after them, and the thin ears swallowed up the full ones, and Pharaoh awoke out of his dream.
Pharaoh tells his magicians and wise men his dreams but they can’t interpret them properly
Genesis 41:8
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.
Jasher 48:6
6 And in the morning the king remembered his dreams, and his spirit was sadly troubled on account of his dreams, and the king hastened and sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and the wise men, and they came and stood before Pharaoh.
Jubilees 40:1
1 And in those days Pharaoh dreamed two dreams in one night concerning a famine which was to be in all the land, and he awoke from his sleep and called all the interpreters of dreams that were in Egypt, and magicians, and told them his two dreams, and they were not able to declare (them).
Jasher 48:7-23
7 And the king said unto them, I have dreamed dreams, and there is none to interpret them; and they said unto the king, relate thy dreams to thy servants and let us hear them.
8 And the king related his dreams to them, and they all answered and said with one voice to the king, may the king live forever; and this is the interpretation of thy dreams.
9 The seven good kine which thou didst see denote seven daughters that will be born unto thee in the latter days, and the seven kine which thou sawest come up after them, and swallowed them up, are for a sign that the daughters which will be born unto thee will all die in the life-time of the king.
10 And that which thou didst see in the second dream of seven full good ears of corn coming up upon one stalk, this is their interpretation, that thou wilt build unto thyself in the latter days seven cities throughout the land of Egypt; and that which thou sawest of the seven blasted ears of corn springing up after them and swallowing them up whilst thou didst behold them with thine eyes, is for a sign that the cities which thou wilt build will all be destroyed in the latter days, in the life-time of the king.
11 And when they spoke these words the king did not incline his ear to their words, neither did he fix his heart upon them, for the king knew in his wisdom that they did not give a proper interpretation of the dreams; and when they had finished speaking before the king, the king answered them, saying, What is this thing that you have spoken unto me? surely you have uttered falsehood and spoken lies; therefore now give the proper interpretation of my dreams, that you may not die.
12 And the king commanded after this, and he sent and called again for other wise men, and they came and stood before the king, and the king related his dreams to them, and they all answered him according to the first interpretation, and the king’s anger was kindled and he was very wroth, and the king said unto them, Surely you speak lies and utter falsehood in what you have said.
13 And the king commanded that a proclamation should be issued throughout the land of Egypt, saying, It is resolved by the king and his great men, that any wise man who knoweth and understandeth the interpretation of dreams, and will not come this day before the king, shall die.
14 And the man that will declare unto the king the proper interpretation of his dreams, there shall be given unto him all that he will require from the king. And all the wise men of the land of Egypt came before the king, together with all the magicians and sorcerers that were in Egypt and in Goshen, in Rameses, in Tachpanches, in Zoar, and in all the places on the borders of Egypt, and they all stood before the king.
15 And all the nobles and the princes, and the attendants belonging to the king, came together from all the cities of Egypt, and they all sat before the king, and the king related his dreams before the wise men, and the princes, and all that sat before the king were astonished at the vision.
16 And all the wise men who were before the king were greatly divided in their interpretation of his dreams; some of them interpreted them to the king, saying, The seven good kine are seven kings, who from the king’s issue will be raised over Egypt.
17 And the seven bad kine are seven princes, who will stand up against them in the latter days and destroy them; and the seven ears of corn are the seven great princes belonging to Egypt, who will fall in the hands of the seven less powerful princes of their enemies, in the wars of our lord the king.
18 And some of them interpreted to the king in this manner, saying, The seven good kine are the strong cities of Egypt, and the seven bad kine are the seven nations of the land of Canaan, who will come against the seven cities of Egypt in the latter days and destroy them.
19 And that which thou sawest in the second dream, of seven good and bad ears of corn, is a sign that the government of Egypt will again return to thy seed as at first.
20 And in his reign the people of the cities of Egypt will turn against the seven cities of Canaan who are stronger than they are, and will destroy them, and the government of Egypt will return to thy seed.
21 And some of them said unto the king, This is the interpretation of thy dreams; the seven good kine are seven queens, whom thou wilt take for wives in the latter days, and the seven bad kine denote that those women will all die in the lifetime of the king.
22 And the seven good and bad ears of corn which thou didst see in the second dream are fourteen children, and it will be in the latter days that they will stand up and fight amongst themselves, and seven of them will smite the seven that are more powerful.
23 And some of them said these words unto the king, saying, The seven good kine denote that seven children will be born to thee, and they will slay seven of thy children’s children in the latter days; and the seven good ears of corn which thou didst see in the second dream, are those princes against whom seven other less powerful princes will fight and destroy them in the latter days, and avenge thy children’s cause, and the government will again return to thy seed.
Pharaoh commands that the wise men and magicians be killed
Jasher 48:24-29
24 And the king heard all the words of the wise men of Egypt and their interpretation of his dreams, and none of them pleased the king.
25 And the king knew in his wisdom that they did not altogether speak correctly in all these words, for this was from the Lord to frustrate the words of the wise men of Egypt, in order that Joseph might go forth from the house of confinement, and in order that he should become great in Egypt.
26 And the king saw that none amongst all the wise men and magicians of Egypt spoke correctly to him, and the king’s wrath was kindled, and his anger burned within him.
27 And the king commanded that all the wise men and magicians should go out from before him, and they all went out from before the king with shame and disgrace.
28 And the king commanded that a proclamation be sent throughout Egypt to slay all the magicians that were in Egypt, and not one of them should be suffered to live.
29 And the captains of the guards belonging to the king rose up, and each man drew his sword, and they began to smite the magicians of Egypt, and the wise men.
The chief butler tells Pharaoh about Joseph
Genesis 41:9
9 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
Jasher 48:30-31
30 And after this Merod, chief butler to the king, came and bowed down before the king and sat before him.
31 And the butler said unto the king, May the king live forever, and his government be exalted in the land.
Jubilees 40:2a
2a And then the chief butler remembered Joseph and spake of him to the king,
Genesis 41:10-13
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.
Jasher 48:32-36
32 Thou wast angry with thy servant in those days, now two years past, and didst place me in the ward, and I was for some time in the ward, I and the chief of the bakers.
33 And there was with us a Hebrew servant belonging to the captain of the guard, his name was Joseph, for his master had been angry with him and placed him in the house of confinement, and he attended us there.
34 And in some time after when we were in the ward, we dreamed dreams in one night, I and the chief of the bakers; we dreamed, each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
35 And we came in the morning and told them to that servant, and he interpreted to us our dreams, to each man according to his dream, did he correctly interpret.
36 And it came to pass as he interpreted to us, so was the event; there fell not to the ground any of his words.
Jasher 48:37-40
37 And now therefore my lord and king do not slay the people of Egypt for naught; behold that slave is still confined in the house by the captain of the guard his master, in the house of confinement.
38 If it pleaseth the king let him send for him that he may come before thee and he will make known to thee, the correct interpretation of the dream which thou didst dream.
39 And the king heard the words of the chief butler, and the king ordered that the wise men of Egypt should not be slain.
40 And the king ordered his servants to bring Joseph before him, and the king said unto them, Go to him and do not terrify him lest he be confused and will not know to speak properly.
Joseph is brought before Pharoah
Genesis 41:14
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.
Jasher 48:41
41 And the servants of the king went to Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon, and the king’s servants shaved him, and he changed his prison garment and he came before the king.
Jubilees 40:2b
2b and he brought him forth from the prison, and he told his two dreams before him.
Rules concerning approaching Pharaoh
Jasher 48:42-48
42 And the king was sitting upon his royal throne in a princely dress girt around with a golden ephod, and the fine gold which was upon it sparkled, and the carbuncle and the ruby and the emerald, together with all the precious stones that were upon the king’s head, dazzled the eye, and Joseph wondered greatly at the king.
43 And the throne upon which the king sat was covered with gold and silver, and with onyx stones, and it had seventy steps.
44 And it was their custom throughout the land of Egypt, that every man who came to speak to the king, if he was a prince or one that was estimable in the sight of the king, he ascended to the king’s throne as far as the thirty-first step, and the king would descend to the thirty-sixth step, and speak with him.
45 If he was one of the common people, he ascended to the third step, and the king would descend to the fourth and speak to him, and their custom was, moreover, that any man who understood to speak in all the seventy languages, he ascended the seventy steps, and went up and spoke till he reached the king.
46 And any man who could not complete the seventy, he ascended as many steps as the languages which he knew to speak in.
47 And it was customary in those days in Egypt that no one should reign over them, but who understood to speak in the seventy languages.
48 And when Joseph came before the king he bowed down to the ground before the king, and he ascended to the third step, and the king sat upon the fourth step and spoke with Joseph.
Pharaoh tells Joseph his dreams believing he can interpret them
Genesis 41:15-16
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.
Jasher 48:49-51
49 And the king said unto Joseph, I dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter to interpret it properly, and I commanded this day that all the magicians of Egypt and the wise men thereof, should come before me, and I related my dreams to them, and no one has properly interpreted them to me.
50 And after this I this day heard concerning thee, that thou art a wise man, and canst correctly interpret every dream that thou hearest.
51 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, Let Pharaoh relate his dreams that he dreamed; surely the interpretations belong to God; and Pharaoh related his dreams to Joseph, the dream of the kine, and the dream of the ears of corn, and the king left off speaking.
Genesis 41:17-24
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.
Joseph interprets the dreams
Jasher 48:52
52 And Joseph was then clothed with the spirit of God before the king, and he knew all the things that would befall the king from that day forward, and he knew the proper interpretation of the king’s dream, and he spoke before the king.
Genesis 41:25-27
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.
Jasher 48:53
53 And Joseph found favor in the sight of the king, and the king inclined his ears and his heart, and he heard all the words of Joseph. And Joseph said unto the king, Do not imagine that they are two dreams, for it is only one dream, for that which God has chosen to do throughout the land he has shown to the king in his dream, and this is the proper interpretation of thy dream:
54 The seven good kine and ears of corn are seven years, and the seven bad kine and ears of corn are also seven years; it is one dream.
Jubilees 40:3
3 And he said before Pharaoh that his two dreams were one, and he said unto him: ‘Seven years shall come (in which there shall be) plenty over all the land of Egypt, and after that seven years of famine, such a famine as has not been in all the land.
Genesis 41:28
28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.
Genesis 41:29-32
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.
Jasher 48:55-56
55 Behold the seven years that are coming there will be a great plenty throughout the land, and after that the seven years of famine will follow them, a very grievous famine; and all the plenty will be forgotten from the land, and the famine will consume the inhabitants of the land.
56 The king dreamed one dream, and the dream was therefore repeated unto Pharaoh because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
Joseph advises Pharaoh on what to do
Genesis 41:33
33 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
Jasher 48:57
57 Now therefore I will give thee counsel and deliver thy soul and the souls of the inhabitants of the land from the evil of the famine, that thou seek throughout thy kingdom for a man very discreet and wise, who knoweth all the affairs of government, and appoint him to superintend over the land of Egypt.
Genesis 41:34-35
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.
Jasher 48:58
58 And let the man whom thou placest over Egypt appoint officers under him, that they gather in all the food of the good years that are coming, and let them lay up corn and deposit it in thy appointed stores.
Jubilees 40:4
4 And now let Pharaoh appoint overseers in all the land of Egypt, and let them store up food in every city throughout the days of the years of plenty, and there will be food for the seven years of famine, and the land will not perish through the famine, for it will be very severe.’
Genesis 41:36
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.
Jasher 48:59
59 And let them keep that food for the seven years of famine, that it may be found for thee and thy people and thy whole land, and that thou and thy land be not cut off by the famine.
Jasher 48:60-61
60 Let all the inhabitants of the land be also ordered that they gather in, every man the produce of his field, of all sorts of food, during the seven good years, and that they place it in their stores, that it may be found for them in the days of the famine and that they may live upon it.
61 This is the proper interpretation of thy dream, and this is the counsel given to save thy soul and the souls of all thy subjects.
Pharaoh questions this interpretation and Joseph provides a sign so he’ll know it’s true
Jasher 48:62-66
62 And the king answered and said unto Joseph, Who sayeth and who knoweth that thy words are correct? And he said unto the king, This shall be a sign for thee respecting all my words, that they are true and that my advice is good for thee.
63 Behold thy wife sitteth this day upon the stool of delivery, and she will bear thee a son and thou wilt rejoice with him; when thy child shall have gone forth from his mother’s womb, thy first born son that has been born these two years back shall die, and thou wilt be comforted in the child that will be born unto thee this day.
64 And Joseph finished speaking these words to the king, and he bowed down to the king and he went out, and when Joseph had gone out from the king’s presence, those signs which Joseph had spoken unto the king came to pass on that day.
65 And the queen bare a son on that day and the king heard the glad tidings about his son, and he rejoiced, and when the reporter had gone forth from the king’s presence, the king’s servants found the first born son of the king fallen dead upon the ground.
66 And there was great lamentation and noise in the king’s house, and the king heard it, and he said, What is the noise and lamentation that I have heard in the house? and they told the king that his first born son had died; then the king knew that all Joseph’s words that he had spoken were correct, and the king was consoled for his son by the child that was born to him on that day as Joseph had spoken.
Genesis 41:37
37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
Pharaoh tries to find someone to be in charge of the food gathering project
Jasher 49:1-3
1 After these things the king sent and assembled all his officers and servants, and all the princes and nobles belonging to the king, and they all came before the king.
2 And the king said unto them, Behold you have seen and heard all the words of this Hebrew man, and all the signs which he declared would come to pass, and not any of his words have fallen to the ground.
3 You know that he has given a proper interpretation of the dream, and it will surely come to pass, now therefore take counsel, and know what you will do and how the land will be delivered from the famine.
Genesis 41:38
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?
Jasher 49:4-5
4 Seek now and see whether the like can be found, in whose heart there is wisdom and knowledge, and I will appoint him over the land.
5 For you have heard what the Hebrew man has advised concerning this to save the land therewith from the famine, and I know that the land will not be delivered from the famine but with the advice of the Hebrew man, him that advised me.
The people advise Pharaoh to appoint Joseph
Jasher 49:6-12
6 And they all answered the king and said, The counsel which the Hebrew has given concerning this is good; now therefore, our lord and king, behold the whole land is in thy hand, do that which seemeth good in thy sight.
7 Him whom thou chooses, and whom thou in thy wisdom knowest to be wise and capable of delivering the land with his wisdom, him shall the king appoint to be under him over the land.
8 And the king said to all the officers: I have thought that since God has made known to the Hebrew man all that he has spoken, there is none so discreet and wise in the whole land as he is; if it seem good in your sight I will place him over the land, for he will save the land with his wisdom.
9 And all the officers answered the king and said, But surely it is written in the laws of Egypt, and it should not be violated, that no man shall reign over Egypt, nor be the second to the king, but one who has knowledge in all the languages of the sons of men.
10 Now therefore our lord and king, behold this Hebrew man can only speak the Hebrew language, and how then can he be over us the second under government, a man who not even knoweth our language?
11 Now we pray thee send for him, and let him come before thee, and prove him in all things, and do as thou see fit.
12 And the king said, It shall be done tomorrow, and the thing that you have spoken is good; and all the officers came on that day before the king.
The angel of YHWH taught Joseph the 70 languages
Jasher 49:13-15
13 And on that night the Lord sent one of his ministering angels, and he came into the land of Egypt unto Joseph, and the angel of the Lord stood over Joseph, and behold Joseph was lying in the bed at night in his master’s house in the dungeon, for his master had put him back into the dungeon on account of his wife.
14 And the angel roused him from his sleep, and Joseph rose up and stood upon his legs, and behold the angel of the Lord was standing opposite to him; and the angel of the Lord spoke with Joseph, and he taught him all the languages of man in that night, and he called his name Jehoseph.
15 And the angel of the Lord went from him, and Joseph returned and lay upon his bed, and Joseph was astonished at the vision which he saw.
Joseph ascends the 70 steps and is appointed by Pharaoh
Jasher 49:16-19
16 And it came to pass in the morning that the king sent for all his officers and servants, and they all came and sat before the king, and the king ordered Joseph to be brought, and the king’s servants went and brought Joseph before Pharaoh.
17 And the king came forth and ascended the steps of the throne, and Joseph spoke unto the king in all languages, and Joseph went up to him and spoke unto the king until he arrived before the king in the seventieth step, and he sat before the king.
18 And the king greatly rejoiced on account of Joseph, and all the king’s officers rejoiced greatly with the king when they heard all the words of Joseph.
19 And the thing seemed good in the sight of the king and the officers, to appoint Joseph to be second to the king over the whole land of Egypt, and the king spoke to Joseph, saying,
Genesis 41:39
39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
Jasher 49:20
20 Now thou didst give me counsel to appoint a wise man over the land of Egypt, in order with his wisdom to save the land from the famine; now therefore, since God has made all this known to thee, and all the words which thou hast spoken, there is not throughout the land a discreet and wise man like unto thee.
Jubilees 40:5
5 And the Lord gave Joseph favour and mercy in the eyes of Pharaoh, and Pharaoh said unto his servants. We shall not find such a wise and discreet man as this man, for the spirit of the Lord is with him.’
Jasher 49:21
21 And thy name no more shall be called Joseph, but Zaphnath Paaneah shall be thy name; thou shalt be second to me, and according to thy word shall be all the affairs of my government, and at thy word shall my people go out and come in.
Genesis 41:40-41
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.
Jasher 49:22
22 Also from under thy hand shall my servants and officers receive their salary which is given to them monthly, and to thee shall all the people of the land bow down; only in my throne will I be greater than thou.
Genesis 41:42
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;
Jasher 49:23
23 And the king took off his ring from his hand and put it upon the hand of Joseph, and the king dressed Joseph in a princely garment, and he put a golden crown upon his head, and he put a golden chain upon his neck.
Jubilees 40:7
7 And he clothed him with byssus garments, and he put a gold chain upon his neck, and (a herald) proclaimed before him ‘ ‘El ‘El wa ‘Abirer,’ and placed a ring on his hand and made him ruler over all his house, and magnified him, and said unto him. ‘Only on the throne shall I be greater than thou.’
Joseph rides throughout the city and the people bow to him
Genesis 41:43
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.
Jasher 49:24
24 And the king commanded his servants, and they made him ride in the second chariot belonging to the king, that went opposite to the king’s chariot, and he caused him to ride upon a great and strong horse from the king’s horses, and to be conducted through the streets of the land of Egypt.
Jubilees 40:6
6 And he appointed him the second in all his kingdom and gave him authority over all Egypt, and caused him to ride in the second chariot of Pharaoh.
Genesis 41:44
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.
Jasher 49:25-31
25 And the king commanded that all those that played upon timbrels, harps and other musical instruments should go forth with Joseph; one thousand timbrels, one thousand mecholoth, and one thousand nebalim went after him.
26 And five thousand men, with drawn swords glittering in their hands, and they went marching and playing before Joseph, and twenty thousand of the great men of the king girt with girdles of skin covered with gold, marched at the right hand of Joseph, and twenty thousand at his left, and all the women and damsels went upon the roofs or stood in the streets playing and rejoicing at Joseph, and gazed at the appearance of Joseph and at his beauty.
27 And the king’s people went before him and behind him, perfuming the road with frankincense and with cassia, and with all sorts of fine perfume, and scattered myrrh and aloes along the road, and twenty men proclaimed these words before him throughout the land in a loud voice:
28 Do you see this man whom the king has chosen to be his second? all the affairs of government shall be regulated by him, and he that transgresses his orders, or that does not bow down before him to the ground, shall die, for he rebels against the king and his second.
29 And when the heralds had ceased proclaiming, all the people of Egypt bowed down to the ground before Joseph and said, May the king live, also may his second live; and all the inhabitants of Egypt bowed down along the road, and when the heralds approached them, they bowed down, and they rejoiced with all sorts of timbrels, mechol and nebal before Joseph.
30 And Joseph upon his horse lifted up his eyes to heaven, and called out and said, He raiseth the poor man from the dust, He lifteth up the needy from the dunghill. O Lord of Hosts, happy is the man who trusteth in thee.
31 And Joseph passed throughout the land of Egypt with Pharaoh’s servants and officers, and they showed him the whole land of Egypt and all the king’s treasures.
Pharaoh gave provisions to Joseph
Jasher 49:32-35
32 And Joseph returned and came on that day before Pharaoh, and the king gave unto Joseph a possession in the land of Egypt, a possession of fields and vineyards, and the king gave unto Joseph three thousand talents of silver and one thousand talents of gold, and onyx stones and bdellium and many gifts.
33 And on the next day the king commanded all the people of Egypt to bring unto Joseph offerings and gifts, and that he that violated the command of the king should die; and they made a high place in the street of the city, and they spread out garments there, and whoever brought anything to Joseph put it into the high place.
34 And all the people of Egypt cast something into the high place, one man a golden ear-ring, and the other rings and ear-rings, and different vessels of gold and silver work, and onyx stones and bdellium did he cast upon the high place; every one gave something of what he possessed.
35 And Joseph took all these and placed them in his treasuries, and all the officers and nobles belonging to the king exalted Joseph, and they gave him many gifts, seeing that the king had chosen him to be his second.
Joseph rules righteously over Egypt
Jubilees 40:8-9
8 And Joseph ruled over all the land of Egypt, and all the princes of Pharaoh, and all his servants, and all who did the king’s business loved him, for he walked in uprightness, for he was without pride and arrogance, and he had no respect of persons, and did not accept gifts, but he judged in uprightness all the people of the land.
9 And the land of Egypt was at peace before Pharaoh because of Joseph, for the Lord was with him, and gave him favour and mercy for all his generations before all those who knew him and those who heard concerning him, and Pharaoh’s kingdom was well ordered, and there was no Satan and no evil person (therein).
Joseph marries Asenath (Osnath)
Genesis 41:45
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.
Jasher 49:36
36 And the king sent to Potiphera, the son of Ahiram priest of On, and he took his young daughter Osnath and gave her unto Joseph for a wife.
Jubilees 34:20j
20j and the name of Joseph’s wife, Asenath, the Egyptian;
Jubilees 40:10
10 And the king called Joseph’s name Sephantiphans, and gave Joseph to wife the daughter of Potiphar, the daughter of the priest of Heliopolis, the chief cook.
Jasher 49:37
37 And the damsel was very comely, a virgin, one whom man had not known, and Joseph took her for a wife; and the king said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and beside thee none shall dare to lift up his hand or his foot to regulate my people throughout the land of Egypt.
Joseph became 2nd in command
Genesis 41:46
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.
Jasher 49:38
38 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, and Joseph went out from before the king, and he became the king’s second in Egypt.
Jubilees 40:11
11 And on the day that Joseph stood before Pharaoh he was thirty years old [when he stood before Pharaoh].
Joseph obtained servants and had a house built for himself
Jasher 49:39-42
39 And the king gave Joseph a hundred servants to attend him in his house, and Joseph also sent and purchased many servants and they remained in the house of Joseph.
40 Joseph then built for himself a very magnificent house like unto the houses of kings, before the court of the king’s palace, and he made in the house a large temple, very elegant in appearance and convenient for his residence; three years was Joseph in erecting his house.
41 And Joseph made unto himself a very elegant throne of abundance of gold and silver, and he covered it with onyx stones and bdellium, and he made upon it the likeness of the whole land of Egypt, and the likeness of the river of Egypt that watereth the whole land of Egypt; and Joseph sat securely upon his throne in his house and the Lord increased Joseph’s wisdom.
42 And all the inhabitants of Egypt and Pharaoh’s servants and his princes loved Joseph exceedingly, for this thing was from the Lord to Joseph.
No notes.
(42-minute read)
Exposition
J: 46 | Y: 2235 | Pharaoh’s 1st dream
Genesis 41:1-4, Jasher 48:1-4
During this time, after Isaac had died, the Lord caused a famine to spread over the entire earth.
Two full years later, Pharaoh had a dream. He was standing by the river of Egypt, and suddenly 7 well-fed, healthy cows came up out of the river and grazed in the meadow. Then 7 other cows came up after them out of the river—these were thin and sickly. They stood next to the first cows on the riverbank. The thin, sickly cows ate up the 7 healthy, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.
Pharaoh’s 2nd dream
Genesis 41:5-7, Jasher 48:5
He went back to sleep and had a second dream. This time, 7 full and healthy ears of corn grew on a single stalk. Then 7 thin ears, scorched by the east wind, sprang up after them. The 7 thin ears swallowed up the 7 healthy, full ears. Pharaoh woke up and realized it had all been a dream.
Rising Action
Pharaoh tells his magicians and wise men his dreams but they can’t interpret them properly
Genesis 41:8, Jasher 48:6-23, Jubilees 40:1
In the morning, Pharaoh remembered his dreams and was deeply troubled by them. He quickly sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt, and they came and stood before him.
The king said to them, “I’ve had dreams, and no one can interpret them.”
They replied, “Tell your dreams to us, your servants, and we’ll listen.”
So Pharaoh told them his dreams, and they all replied in unison, “May the king live forever. Here’s the interpretation of your dreams: the 7 good cows represent 7 daughters who will be born to you in the future. The 7 cows that came after them and devoured them are a sign that those daughters will all die during your lifetime. As for your second dream with the 7 full ears of corn growing on one stalk, it means that you’ll build 7 cities across Egypt in the future. The 7 withered ears that sprang up afterward and swallowed the healthy ones mean that those cities will be destroyed in the future during your lifetime.”
But when they finished speaking, Pharaoh didn’t accept their explanation. He didn’t believe they had given the true interpretation. In his wisdom, he knew they were wrong. He said to them, “What is this that you’ve told me? You’ve clearly spoken lies. Now give me the true meaning of my dreams, or you’ll die.”
After that, Pharaoh sent for another group of wise men. They also came and stood before him, and he told them his dreams. They gave the same explanation as the first group. This made Pharaoh furious, and he said, “You’re all lying. Everything you’ve said is false.”
Then Pharaoh ordered a proclamation to be issued across Egypt: “The king and his great men have decreed that any wise man who understands dream interpretation and fails to appear before the king today will be put to death. But the one who can give the correct interpretation will receive whatever he asks from the king.”
So all the wise men of Egypt came before Pharaoh—along with all the magicians and sorcerers from across Egypt and Goshen, from Rameses, Tachpanches, Zoar, and all the border regions. Everyone gathered before the king, including the nobles, princes, and his attendants from every city in Egypt. Pharaoh told his dreams to the wise men, and everyone there was astonished.
The wise men were divided in their interpretations. Some said, “The 7 good cows are 7 kings who will come from your lineage and rule Egypt. The 7 bad cows are 7 princes who will rise against them in the future and destroy them. The 7 ears of corn represent 7 great princes of Egypt who will be defeated by 7 weaker enemy princes during your reign.”
Others said, “The 7 good cows represent 7 strong cities in Egypt. The 7 bad cows are 7 Canaanite nations who will rise up against those cities in the future and destroy them. As for the ears of corn, it means Egypt’s rule will return to your descendants. During his reign, the people of Egypt’s cities will turn against the 7 Canaanite cities, defeat them, and the rule of Egypt will return to your family.”
Still others said, “The 7 good cows represent 7 queens you’ll marry in the future, and the 7 bad cows mean those queens will all die during your lifetime. The ears of corn—both good and bad—represent 14 children. In the future, they’ll fight among themselves, and 7 of them will defeat the 7 stronger ones.”
And some told him, “The 7 good cows represent 7 of your children who will be born and later kill 7 of your grandchildren in the future. The good ears of corn represent princes who will be attacked and destroyed by 7 weaker princes in the future. They’ll avenge your children and restore the rule to your descendants.”
Pharaoh commands that the wise men and magicians be killed
Jasher 48:24-29
After hearing all of their interpretations, Pharaoh wasn’t satisfied. He knew they weren’t right—this was the Lord’s doing, meant to frustrate the magicians so that Joseph would be released from prison and rise to power in Egypt. Realizing that none of the magicians or wise men had given a true answer, Pharaoh’s anger burned hot.
He ordered all of them to leave his presence, and they did so in shame and disgrace. Then Pharaoh sent a decree throughout Egypt that all the magicians were to be killed—none were to be spared. The king’s guards drew their swords and began striking down Egypt’s magicians and wise men.
The chief butler tells Pharaoh about Joseph
Genesis 41:9-13, Jasher 48:30-40, Jubilees 40:2a
Then Merod, Pharaoh’s chief butler, came in, bowed before the king, and sat down. He said, “May the king live forever, and may your rule be exalted in the land. I remember my failure today. Two years ago, you were angry with me and put me in the ward, along with the chief baker. We were both in confinement, and with us was a Hebrew servant belonging to the captain of the guard. His name is Joseph. His master had gotten angry with him and locked him up, and he served us while we were there.
“One night, we both had dreams—each with its own meaning. The next morning, we told our dreams to Joseph, and he gave each of us the correct interpretation. Everything happened exactly as he said—not a single word of his failed.
“So now, my king, please don’t kill innocent people across Egypt. That Hebrew servant is still confined in the house under the captain of the guard. If it pleases you, send for him, and he’ll come before you and give you the true meaning of your dreams.”
When Pharaoh heard the butler’s words, he ordered that the wise men of Egypt should not be killed. He sent his servants to bring Joseph to him and said, “Go to him, but do not scare him, or he might get confused and be unable to speak clearly.”
Climax
Joseph is brought before Pharoah
Genesis 41:14, Jasher 48:41, Jubilees 40:2b
The king’s servants went and quickly brought Joseph out of the dungeon. They shaved him, changed his prison clothes, and brought him before the king.
Rules concerning approaching Pharaoh
Jasher 48:42-48
The king was sitting on his royal throne, dressed in princely garments and wearing a golden ephod. The fine gold sparkled, and the carbuncle, ruby, emerald, and other precious stones on the king’s head shone so brightly that Joseph was amazed. The throne itself was overlaid with gold, silver, and onyx stones, and had 70 steps leading up to it.
In Egypt, it was customary that when someone came to speak with the king, if he was a prince or someone highly regarded, he could go up as far as the 31st step, and the king would descend to the 36th step to speak with him. If the visitor was from among the common people, he could only go up to the 3rd step, and the king would descend to the 4th step to meet him. Additionally, anyone who could speak all 70 languages was allowed to ascend all 70 steps and approach the king directly. Those who knew fewer languages could only climb as many steps as the number of languages they spoke.
At that time, Egypt had a law that no one could rule over them unless he could speak all 70 languages. When Joseph appeared before Pharaoh, he bowed low to the ground and ascended to the 3rd step. Pharaoh, seated on the 4th step, spoke with him.
Pharaoh tells Joseph his dreams believing he can interpret them
Genesis 41:15-24, Jasher 48:49-51
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, but no one can interpret it properly. I called all the magicians and wise men of Egypt and told them my dreams, but none of them could give me a proper interpretation. Today, I heard about you—that you’re a wise man who can interpret any dream you hear.”
Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “Let Pharaoh tell me the dreams he had. Interpretations belong to God—He will give Pharaoh a peaceful answer.”
Pharaoh then shared his dreams with Joseph—both the one about the cattle and the one about the ears of corn—and then stopped speaking.
Pharaoh said, “In my dream, I was standing on the bank of the river. Suddenly, 7 fat, healthy cows came up from the river and began to graze in the meadow. Then 7 other cows came up after them—thin, sickly, and so bad-looking that I’ve never seen worse in all of Egypt. The thin, sickly cows ate up the 1st 7 fat cows. But even after they ate them, you couldn’t tell—they looked just as bad as before. Then I woke up.
“I had another dream. I saw 7 ears of corn growing on one stalk, full and good. Then 7 thin, withered ears, scorched by the east wind, sprouted after them. The thin ears swallowed up the 7 good ears. I told this to the magicians, but no one could explain it to me.”
Joseph interprets the dreams
Genesis 41:25-32, Jasher 48:52-56, Jubilees 40:3
At that moment, Joseph was filled with the spirit of God in Pharaoh’s presence. He understood exactly what would happen to Pharaoh in the future and knew the correct meaning of the dreams. He began speaking to the king.
Joseph found favor in Pharaoh’s eyes. The king listened closely and took his words to heart. Joseph said, “Don’t think these are 2 separate dreams—they’re actually one and the same. God is showing Pharaoh what He’s about to do across the land. Here’s the correct interpretation: the 7 good cows represent 7 years, and the 7 good ears of corn also represent 7 years. It’s one single dream. The 7 thin and ugly cows that came afterward stand for 7 years, and so do the 7 empty, scorched ears—they represent 7 years of famine. This is what I meant when I said God is revealing to Pharaoh what He is about to do.
“There will be 7 years of great abundance throughout all of Egypt. But afterward, 7 years of famine will come, and all the abundance will be forgotten—the famine will consume the land. The previous abundance won’t even be remembered because the famine that follows will be so severe. The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh twice is because the matter has been firmly decided by God, and He will carry it out soon.”
Joseph advises Pharaoh on what to do
Genesis 41:33-36, Jasher 48:57-61, Jubilees 40:4
“Now let me give you some advice that could save your life and the lives of everyone in the land. Look for a man who is very wise and capable—someone who understands the workings of government—and appoint him to oversee the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this: appoint officers over the land and collect one-fifth of all the produce during the 7 years of abundance. Have them gather all the food from those good years and store it under Pharaoh’s authority. Keep it in cities for safekeeping.
“That stored food will be available to the land during the 7 years of famine, so the people won’t perish. Also, instruct everyone in the land to gather all types of produce from their fields during the 7 years of plenty and store it. That way, they’ll have food during the famine and be able to survive. This is the true interpretation of your dream, and this is the advice to save your life and the lives of all your subjects.”
Pharaoh questions this interpretation and Joseph provides a sign so he’ll know it’s true
Genesis 41:37, Jasher 48:62-66
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “How can we be sure that what you’ve said is true?”
Joseph replied, “Here’s a sign to prove that everything I’ve told you is true and that my advice is good for you: your wife is in labor right now and will give birth to a son today. You will rejoice over him. But your firstborn son, who was born 2 years ago, will die as the new child is born. You’ll be comforted by the son who is born to you today.”
After Joseph finished speaking, he bowed to the king and left. As soon as he had gone, everything happened just as he had said. The queen gave birth to a son that very day, and when the king heard the good news, he rejoiced. But at the same time, the king’s servants discovered that his firstborn son had died, lying on the ground. There was loud mourning and crying throughout the palace.
When Pharaoh heard the noise, he asked, “What is this sound of weeping and sorrow I hear in the house?”
They told him that his firstborn son had died. Then Pharaoh knew that all of Joseph’s words were true, and he found comfort in the child who had just been born, just as Joseph had said. The king was pleased with everything, and so were all his servants.
Falling Action
Pharaoh tries to find someone to be in charge of the food gathering project
Genesis 41:38, Jasher 49:1-5
After this, the king sent for and gathered all his officers and servants, along with all the princes and nobles of the kingdom, and they came before him. The king said to them, “Look, you’ve seen and heard all the words of this Hebrew man, and the signs he predicted would happen—and not one of his words has failed. You know his interpretation of the dream was accurate, and it will certainly come true. So now, take counsel and figure out what to do and how the land can be saved from the famine.”
Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find anyone like this man—someone in whom the Spirit of God lives? Go and see if there’s anyone like him, someone with wisdom and understanding. I’ll appoint him over the land. You’ve heard the advice this Hebrew man gave to save the land from the famine, and I’m convinced that only by following his advice can the land be saved.”
The people advise Pharaoh to appoint Joseph
Jasher 49:6-12
They all answered the king, saying, “The Hebrew’s advice about this matter is good. So now, our lord and king, the whole land is in your hands—do whatever you think is right. Whoever you choose, and whoever you in your wisdom recognize as wise and capable of saving the land with his wisdom, that man should be appointed by the king to serve under him over the land.”
The king replied to all the officers, “It seems to me that since God has made everything known to this Hebrew man, there is no one in the land as wise and discerning as he is. If it seems good to you, I will appoint him over the land, because he will save the land with his wisdom.”
But all the officers said to the king, “Surely it’s written in the laws of Egypt—and the law shouldn’t be broken—that no man may rule over Egypt or be second to the king unless he knows all the languages spoken by the sons of men. Now, this Hebrew man only speaks Hebrew—how can he be over us as second in command if he doesn’t even know our language? So we ask you, send for him, have him come before you, and test him in all matters. Then do whatever you think is best.”
The king said, “It will be done tomorrow. What you have said is good.” And all the officers came before the king that day.
The angel of YHWH taught Joseph the 70 languages
Jasher 49:13-15
That night, the Lord sent one of His ministering angels to Egypt to visit Joseph. The angel of the Lord stood over Joseph, who was lying in bed at night in his master’s house in the dungeon—his master had thrown him back into prison because of his wife. The angel woke him from sleep, and Joseph got up and stood. The angel of the Lord stood in front of him and spoke with him, teaching Joseph all the languages of mankind that night. He gave him the name Jehoseph. Then the angel of the Lord left, and Joseph lay back down in bed, amazed by the vision he had seen.
Joseph ascends the 70 steps and is appointed by Pharaoh
Genesis 41:39-42, Jasher 49:16-23, Jubilees 40:5, 7
The next morning, the king summoned all his officers and servants, and they gathered and sat before him. The king ordered Joseph to be brought in, and his servants went and brought Joseph before Pharaoh. The king came out and went up the steps to his throne. Joseph spoke to him in every language, and as he approached the king, he continued speaking until he reached the 70th step and sat down before Pharaoh. The king was overjoyed because of Joseph, and all his officers were thrilled when they heard Joseph’s words.
Everyone agreed it was a good idea to appoint Joseph as second to the king over all of Egypt. The king said to Joseph, “We won’t find anyone as wise and discerning as you, for the Spirit of the Lord is with you. You gave me the advice to appoint a wise man to rule over Egypt so he could save the land from the famine using his wisdom. Since God has revealed all this to you, and all your words have been true, there is no one in the land as wise and discerning as you. From now on, your name will no longer be Joseph—it will be Zaphnath Paaneah. You will be second to me, and all matters of my government will be under your authority. At your command, my people will go out and come in. My servants and officers will receive their monthly wages from you, and everyone in the land will bow to you. Only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”
The king took his ring off his hand and placed it on Joseph’s hand. He dressed Joseph in royal byssus garments, put a golden crown on his head, and hung a golden chain around his neck. A herald proclaimed before him, “‘El ‘El wa ‘Abirer.”
Joseph rides throughout the city and the people bow to him
Genesis 41:43-44, Jasher 49:24-31, Jubilees 40:6
The king ordered his servants to place Joseph in the second royal chariot, which traveled beside the king’s own chariot. He also had Joseph ride one of the king’s strongest horses through the streets of Egypt. As he passed, people shouted, “Bow the knee!” and he was made ruler over all Egypt.
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your permission, no one will lift a hand or foot in all of Egypt.”
Then the king ordered all the musicians—those who played timbrels, harps, and other instruments—to go out with Joseph. There were 1,000 timbrels, 1,000 mecholoth, and 1,000 nebalim following him. In front of him marched 5,000 men with gleaming drawn swords, and 20,000 of the king’s great men, wearing belts made of gold-covered skin, marched on Joseph’s right, and another 20,000 on his left. All the women and girls stood on rooftops or in the streets playing instruments, rejoicing over Joseph, and admiring his appearance and beauty. The king’s people went ahead of him and behind him, spreading perfumes on the road—frankincense, cassia, and all kinds of fragrant spices—and scattered myrrh and aloes along the way. Meanwhile, 20 men shouted throughout the land in loud voices, “Look at this man the king has chosen as his second! He will manage all government affairs. Anyone who disobeys his orders or refuses to bow to the ground before him will die—for he rebels against both the king and his second.”
When the heralds finished their proclamation, everyone in Egypt bowed to the ground before Joseph, saying, “Long live the king, and long live his second!” All the people along the road bowed as the heralds passed by. They celebrated with all kinds of timbrels, mechol, and nebal before Joseph. Riding on his horse, Joseph looked up to heaven and said, “He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap. O Lord of Hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in You.” Then Joseph traveled throughout Egypt with Pharaoh’s officers and servants, and they showed him the entire land and all the king’s treasures.
Resolution
Pharaoh gave provisions to Joseph
Jasher 49:32-35
Joseph returned that same day and appeared before Pharaoh. The king gave Joseph a large estate in Egypt, including fields and vineyards. He also gave him 3,000 talents of silver, 1,000 talents of gold, onyx stones, bdellium, and many other gifts.
The next day, the king commanded everyone in Egypt to bring Joseph offerings and gifts. Anyone who disobeyed this order would be put to death. They set up a high platform in the street of the city and laid out garments on it. Anyone bringing a gift to Joseph would place it on this platform. All the Egyptians brought something—some gave gold earrings, others brought rings, earrings, or various gold and silver items. Many gave onyx stones and bdellium; everyone offered something from what they owned.
Joseph gathered all these items and stored them in his treasuries. The king’s officers and nobles honored Joseph and gave him even more gifts, recognizing that the king had chosen him to be his second-in-command.
Joseph rules righteously over Egypt
Jubilees 40:8-9
Joseph ruled over all of Egypt, and all of Pharaoh’s officials, servants, and those who carried out the king’s business loved him. He lived with integrity—without pride or arrogance. He didn’t show favoritism and never accepted bribes. He judged everyone in the land fairly.
Because of Joseph, Egypt enjoyed peace under Pharaoh. The Lord was with him and gave him favor and mercy throughout his life, in the eyes of all who knew him or heard about him. Pharaoh’s kingdom was well-governed, and there was no Satan or evil person within it.
Joseph marries Asenath (Osnath)
Genesis 41:45, Jasher 49:36-37, Jubilees 34:20j, 40:10
Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphnathpaaneah (Sephantiphans) and gave him Asenath (Osnath), the daughter of Potipherah (Potiphar), son of Ahiram—the priest of On (Heliopolis) and chief cook—as his wife. Joseph traveled throughout all of Egypt.
Asenath was very beautiful, a virgin who had never known a man, and Joseph took her as his wife. The king told Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and no one besides you will dare lift a hand or foot to govern my people across the land of Egypt.”
Joseph became 2nd in command
Genesis 41:46, Jasher 49:38, Jubilees 40:11
Joseph was 30 years old when he stood before Pharaoh. After leaving the king’s presence, he officially became the second-in-command in Egypt.
Joseph obtained servants and had a house built for himself
Jasher 49:39-42
The king gave Joseph 100 servants to attend to him in his home. Joseph also went out and bought many more servants, who all lived in his house.
Then Joseph built himself an extravagant house—fit for royalty—right in front of the king’s palace court. He included a large, beautifully designed temple in the house that served as his residence. It took Joseph 3 years to complete this house. He made for himself a magnificent throne, richly decorated with gold and silver, and covered in onyx stones and bdellium. The throne had engravings representing the entire land of Egypt and the river that waters it. Joseph sat confidently on his throne in his house, and the Lord continued to increase his wisdom.
All the people of Egypt, including Pharaoh’s servants and officials, loved Joseph deeply. This was the Lord’s doing for Joseph.
This chart shows who was alive in the year 2235.