Gen 35:1 And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother. Bethel (house of God), is where Jacob had his first encounter with God.

Gen 35:2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: Purification being necessary in going up to Bethel, "The House of God." Strange gods: Part of the spoils taken from the houses of the Shechemites. But wait... Lets not forget Rachel, who stole her father's (teraphim), household idols.

Gen 35:3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went. And so it was, God was with Jacob wherever he went.

Gen 35:4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem. These rings were not worn as mere ornaments, but for superstitious purposes; perhaps as amulets or charms, first consecrated to some false god, or formed under some constellation, and stamped with magical characters. (Jacob buried all the idols under a great oak tree). 

Gen 35:5 And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob. God takes care of his own!

Gen 35:7 And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother. Elbethel = "God of the house of God." 

Gen 35:8 But Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth. Deborah was close to the family and joined the household after Rebekah's death.

Gen 35:9 And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him. God appeared to Jacob again at Bethel and blessed him. 

Gen 35:10 And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel. Again called Israel by God. (Genesis 32:28). His spiritual name meaning "God rules."

Gen 35:11 And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; God Almighty = El-Shaddai, GOD, the all-bountiful, or all sufficient. (The title which best accords with the promise here given).

Gen 35:12 And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land. The land God promised to give.

Gen 35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon. Wine as the offering and oil as the anointing.

Gen 35:16 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. Ephrath (meaning fertility), was about 15 miles south of Bethel.

Gen 35:18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. Rachel was dying and named new her son Benoni (son of my sorrow), but Jacob does not want to have his son growing up reminded that his birth caused his mothers death. So, Jacob changed his name to Benjamin (son of my right hand). You have heard the phrase "my right hand man." Rachel was Jacobs "right hand woman." 

Gen 35:19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. Bethlehem = House of bread.

Gen 35:20 And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day. 

Gen 35:21 And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar. This was a shepherd's watchtower located between Bethlehem and Hedron. 

Gen 35:22 And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: Israel = Jacob. Reuben has sex with Bilhah, his father's concubine and Jacob finds out. "This act will cost Reuben later." (Genesis 49:3-4). Now we have the 12 sons of Jacob. Twelve = the number of government perfection. (For the various orders of the twelve tribes, see appendix 45).

Gen 35:27 And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned. Jacob returns to his father Isaac, in Mamre (near Kiriath-arba), now called Hebron. (This is where Abraham and Isaac both lived as foreigners). 

Gen 35:28 And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years. Isaac was 180 years old and Jacob was about 120 years old at the time. 

Gen 35:29 And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him. Isaac dies in Hebron and both his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

Gen 36:1 Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom. Generations given here, as no more is to be said about him.

Gen 36:8 Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom. Esau = Edom = Edomites = The red nation = Russia. 

Gen 36:12 And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau's wife. Amalek: One of Israel's bitterest foes, with whom Yahveh has perpetual war. (Exodus 17:8, Numbers 24:20, Deuteronomy 25:17-19).

Gen 36:15 These were dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn son of Esau; duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz, Dukes = Chiefs or Chieftains.

Gen 36:20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, The Horites were a branch of the Nephilim. (Appendix 23 and 25).

Gen 36:43 Duke Magdiel, duke Iram: these be the dukes of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their possession: he is Esau the father of the Edomites. Magdiel and Iram: The leaders of the clans of Edom. They all descended from Esau, the ancestor of the Edomites.

Gen 37:2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. These brothers of Joseph are the sons of Jacobs two concubines, not Joseph's full brothers. Joseph would report to his father the bad things they would do. (Kind of like a tattletale).

Gen 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. Jacob loved Joseph because he was born at Jacob's old age. (The favorite child). The oldest son of Rachel, Jacob's favorite wife. Jacob gave him a robe only worn by the chief and his heir. (This the first cause of brother's enmity). The other brothers were jealous and didn't like it.

Gen 37:4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. The other brothers could not say a kind word about Joseph because Jacob loved him more and they were jealous. 

Gen 37:5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. Joseph had a significant dream. 

Gen 37:6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: Now he is going to tell the brothers about his dream, even though they really didn't want to hear it.

Gen 37:7 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. In the midst of the field his bundles of grain stood upright, and the brothers bundles of grain bowed low before his.

Gen 37:8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words. The brothers didn't like what they heard and said to Joseph; "so, you think you will rule over us?" Now they hated him even more for what he said about them in the dream. "They might have though this was just a silly dream, but they didn't like it anyway." (We will see later that this was a prophetic dream that Joseph had).  

Gen 37:9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. Joseph has another dream about signs in the sky. (The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed before him)! What are these eleven stars? The eleven signs of the Zodiac, Joseph being the twelfth; and they also represent the twelve tribes of Israel. (The standard for each tribe). Each standard is said to have as its "sign" one of the twelve constellations depicted on it. Below are the Zodiac signs in order from first to last. However, the tribes are not necessarily in the correct order. Scholars have different opinions about this. The order below appeared to make the most sense. (Aries = Gad, Taurus = Reuben, Gemini = Simeon, Cancer = Issachar, Leo = Judah, Virgo = Zebulun, Libra = Asher, Scorpio = Dan, Sagittarius = Naphtali, Capricorn = Benjamin, Aquarius = Ephraim, Pisces = Manasseh). Note: This symbolism will be seen later in the bible. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: (Revelation 12:1), The woman represents Israel (the entire nation).            

Gen 37:10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? Now this time Joseph tells his father Jacob about the dream he had and it appears that Jacob becomes a little angry. They did not know that this would come to pass just as Joseph dreamed it. Joseph would be exalted as the leader of Egypt and his brothers would be bowing before him as they came to buy food during the famine. Also, as ruler of Egypt, Joseph would even have authority over his father Jacob.

Gen 37:11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying. Joseph's brothers were mad and jealous of Joseph, but Jacob wondered if there was more to the dream. 

Gen 37:12 And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem. In the companion bible notes, it states that this verse is a doubtful reading. It suggests that the brothers of Joseph went to feed themselves and make merry. i.e. these boys went to the nearest pub. 

Gen 37:13 And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I. Was Jacob afraid here? Would the brothers go back to Shechem after what happened in (Genesis 34:25-30).

Gen 37:14 And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. Joseph listens to Jacob and sets out to find his brothers as he travels to Shechem. (Shechem is about 50 miles north of Hebron).

Gen 37:17 And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan. Dothan (two wells), is on the high road to Egypt for caravans from the East. (About 15 miles further north of Shechem). 

Gen 37:18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. The brothers conspired against Joseph. Sound familiar? (Psalm 37:12, 37:32, Matthew 27:1, Mark 14:1, John 11:53).  

Gen 37:19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Here comes the dreamer! (A little sarcasm here).

Gen 37:20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. They flat out wanted to kill Joseph. (Proverbs 1:16). "Just as the Romans, the Kenites, and the religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus."

Gen 37:21 And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him. Reuben is the oldest son and feels a little different about Joseph. (Maybe he felt a little responsibility towards Joseph).   

Gen 37:22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again. Reuben's plan that he suggested to his brothers was to just throw Joseph in a pit and let him die on his own. But, his real plan was to return and rescue Joseph and return him to his father.

Gen 37:23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; When Joseph arrived, the brothers stripped him of his royal robe. "Just the opposite of what the soldiers did to Jesus." (Matthew 27:28).

Gen 37:24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. They threw him in an empty well.

Gen 37:25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. Not bothered by what they had just done, they sit down to enjoy lunch. But, in the distance they see a caravan of camels in the distance. (Ishmaelite traders).

Gen 37:26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Does Judah (one of the brothers), have a change of mind here? Maybe he got a little scared because they would need to cover up the crime, or maybe he just seen a way to make a quick buck. 

Gen 37:27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. A Judas sold Joseph, and a Judas sold Christ. (Matthew 26:15). Slaves were in great demand in Egypt. A young male was worth 20 shekels of silver, an adult male was worth 30 shekels of silver... Sound familiar? Remember what Judas betrayed Jesus for?

Gen 37:28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt. Sold Joseph to the Midianite merchants. Note: The number 20 is the number of disappointed expectancy. (See appendix 10).   

Gen 37:29 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes. Reuben is still thinking that Joseph is in the well and did not know the brothers sold him at this time. (Apparently they tell him later). Reuben was a little scared now and tore his close in grief.

Gen 37:30 And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go? Reuben tells the brothers that the boy was gone! What now?

Gen 37:31 And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; They come up with the plan that Joseph was killed by a wild animal. 

Gen 37:32 And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no. Is this the robe you gave Joseph?

Gen 37:33 And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces. Jacob falls for the deception. Jacob was deceived by a kid, as he had deceived his father (Isaac) with the skin of a kid. (Genesis 27:16). 

Gen 37:34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.  

Gen 37:35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him. This would be the first account of "Sheol" (grave, hell, pit), would be used. (see appendix 35).

Gen 37:36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard. Joseph is sold by the Midianites and becomes a slave in Egypt. Potifpar = consecrated to Ra: One of the gods of lower Egypt. Captain of the guard: (2 Kings 25:8-11), had charge of police, as well as military duties.

Gen 38:1 And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. It came: As there cannot be above 23 years from the selling of Joseph, unto Israel's going down into Egypt; and as it is impossible that Judah should take a wife, and by her have three sons successively, and Shelah, the youngest, marriageable when Judah begat Pharez of Tamar, and Pharez be grown up, married, and have two sons, all within so short a period; it is conceived that the time here spoken of is soon after Jacob's coming to Shechem (Genesis 33:1). The authors have accordingly adapted the chronology to correspond with that time. Adullamite: An inhabitant of Adullam, a city of Canaan, afterwards given to Judah, situated in the southern part of that tribe, west of Hebron. (Joshua 12:15, 15:35, 1 Samuel 22:1, 2 Samuel 23:13, Micah 1:15).

Gen 38:2 And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her. Judah marries the daughter of Shua, (meaning wealth), a Canaanite woman. In this was Judah's sin. (Genesis 24:3, 26:35, 27:46, 28:1, Exodus 34:16, Deuteronomy 7:3). A warning, and a revelation of the human heart. Note who the Canaanites were! Read our newsletter study topic titled: The sons of Cain, and see appendix 23 & 25.  

Gen 38:3 And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er. Er (meaning watchful). he, should be "she," here, as in original manuscripts.

Gen 38:4 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan. Onan (meaning strong). 

Gen 38:5 And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him. Shelah (meaning request).

Gen 38:6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. Tamar (meaning palm tree).

Gen 38:7 And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. Not sure what Er did here, but it must have been bad.

Gen 38:8 And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. A law before Sinai. See appendix 15. (Deuteronomy 25:5-9). An old and present Eastern law.

Gen 38:9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. It appears Onan does not want to father a child that would not be considered his own.

Gen 38:10 And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also. He was evil in the eyes of Yahveh.   

Gen 38:11 Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house. Judah might be thinking something is wrong with Tamar and maybe he does not really want her to marry Shelah because he may also die.

Gen 38:12 And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. Timnath is, in all probability, that in the border of Judah, between Jerusalem and Diospolis, given to Dan, and mentioned in the history of Samson as belonging to the Philistines. (Genesis 38:1, Joshua 15:10, Judges 14:1).

Gen 38:13 And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep. 

Gen 38:14 And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife. Tamar seems to get tired of waiting and no arrangement had been made for her to marry Shelah. She would disguise herself with a veil (in Judah's day, a prostitute wore a veil over her face), and so it was, Tamar disguises herself as a prostitute.

Gen 38:15 When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face. Judah sees her and figures he will try to get a little action. 

Gen 38:16 And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me? Not realizing that Tamar was his daughter-in-law, he propositions her for sex.

Gen 38:17 And he said, I will send thee a kid from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou send it? Evidently Judah had no cash on him, so he wants to bargain with her. (He wants a little credit and promises her a goat). Not in today's world! However, Tamar at least wants a guarantee and something to hold till she gets the goat. 

Gen 38:18 And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him. Tamar wants his signet ring, bracelet, and staff to keep as collateral. Judah agrees and has sex with her and she becomes pregnant.

Gen 38:19 And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood. Tamar goes back home to being a widow again.

Gen 38:20 And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman's hand: but he found her not. Judah was going to pay his debt to the prostitute, but she was no where to be found.  

Gen 38:21 Then he asked the men of that place, saying, Where is the harlot, that was openly by the way side? And they said, There was no harlot in this place. Openly here is "at Enaim."

Gen 38:22 And he returned to Judah, and said, I cannot find her; and also the men of the place said, that there was no harlot in this place. Still they could not find her. 

Gen 38:23 And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her. Let her keep the things I gave her Judah says. We will be a laughingstock if we keep looking for her.

Gen 38:24 And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt. Three months later Judah finds out Tamar played the prostitute and was with child. "Judah demands she be burned." (This was strictly in accordance with the Code of Khammurabi, which was then in force throughout Canaan. (See appendix 15). 

Gen 38:25 When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff. Tamar had the proof who made her pregnant. 

Gen 38:26 And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more. Judah recognized the items he left her and praised her for being more righteous than himself. He felt he was wrong not letting Tamar marry his son Shelah. He also felt wrong about sleeping with her and never slept with her again.    

Gen 38:28 And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first. 

Gen 38:29 And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez. Pharez = "breach."

Gen 38:30 And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah. Zarah = "a rising of light," "Offspring," or "Dawn." Both Pharez and Zarah, together with their mother Tamar, are in the genealogy of Christ (Matthew 1:3). This is why this parenthetical chapter is inserted here. It comes, historically, before chapter 37. The book of Ruth contains the story of a family from Judah having difficult times. The familiar name Ruth will come into the picture. (Ruth 4:12). Boaz would come form Judah and Tamar and Boaz marries Ruth who have some important children. Jesus came from the line of David, which came from the marriage of Boaz and Ruth.   

Gen 39:1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. Remember that Joseph was sold to Potiphar (captain of the guard for Pharoah), as a slave and taken to Egypt. Now we will see what is going on down there with Joseph.

Gen 39:2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. Was with Joseph = "It came to be." Joseph was gaining wealth and power even as a slave.    

Gen 39:3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. Potiphar realized that God was with Joseph because he was successful in everything he did.  

Gen 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. Joseph soon became Potiphar's personal servant and was in charge of his entire household. 

Gen 39:5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. Now because God was with Joseph, the Lord began to bless all Potiphar's household affairs because of Joseph.

Gen 39:6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. Joseph was in charge of everything now and Potiphar didn't worry about anything except what food he would eat. (He knew and cared for that, as the Egyptians might not eat with Hebrews).

Gen 39:7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. Remember the last verse? Joseph was a goodly person (well built and handsome). Potiphar's wife notices and wants to sleep with him. 

Gen 39:8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; No way Joseph says... My master trusts me with everything. 

Gen 39:9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? Joseph knew better and did not want to blow it. He had it good and his master trusted him. He also feared God and did not want to sin like this.

Gen 39:10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. When a woman wants you, she will keep at it.

Gen 39:11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. Alone in the house with the woman who wants him. That seems like trouble! 

Gen 39:12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. She makes a move at Joseph but he tore himself away. She ends up with his cloak in her hand as he fled from the house. 

Gen 39:13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth. Here comes trouble. 

Gen 39:14 That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: He hath: The base affection of this woman being disappointed, was changed into rancorous hatred, and she exults in the opportunity of being revenged on Joseph. She begins her accusation in the affected language of offended modesty, rage, and disdain, by charging her husband, whom we may reasonably assume she did not greatly love, with being an accessory to the indignity she pretended to have received: "He hath brought in a Hebrew," a very abomination to an Egyptian, "to mock us," insult and treat me in a base, unworthy manner. (Sometimes when you disappoint people they will make up stories about you). 

Gen 39:15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out. Now she is going to try and use some false evidence.

Gen 39:16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. Here comes Potiphar. 

Gen 39:17 And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: She tells her husband the story that Joseph wanted to fool around with her. Lies... Lies... Lies... 

Gen 39:18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. Making the lie sound real good.

Gen 39:19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. Now Potiphar is becoming real furious. But who was he really mad at? If he really believed the story, why didn't he put Joseph to death? Maybe he knew his wife was lying and didn't want to kill Joseph because he trusted him so much.

Gen 39:20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. Into prison: "the round house," from the form of the building according to some; or, "the watch or guard house,"   

Gen 39:21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. God was with Joseph and showed him mercy. Now Joseph becomes a favorite of the prison warden. (No matter what predicament you come into, if God is with you, he will bring you out).  

Gen 39:22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. Now Joseph has charge of the entire prison. 

Gen 39:23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper. Again, the Lord was with Joseph and caused everything he did to succeed. Once again my friend, when times get tough, call and trust in the Lord, and He will always see you through. (Tough times will make your life better in the end).   

Gen 40:1 And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt. Butler here is "the cupbearer." Was it the wine poured, or the bread made that offended the Pharaoh? Maybe it was something else. Lets read on and see. 

Gen 40:2 And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. Pharaoh was angry with these two.

Gen 40:3 And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. Put them in prison where Joseph was held.

Gen 40:4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward. The captain of the guard (Potiphar), assigned them to Joseph to look after them. (They were there at least for a year probably).

Gen 40:5 And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison. The two men both had a dream one night with different meanings.  

Gen 40:6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. They looked a little upset over the dreams. 

Gen 40:7 And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day? Why do you look so worried today Joseph asked them?

Gen 40:8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you. Interpreting dreams belongs to God Joseph tells them. Maybe I can help, tell me you dreams.

Gen 40:9 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me; The chief cupbearer tells his dream first. (He sees a grapevine in front of him). 

Gen 40:10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes: Three branches that began to bud and blossom, and soon produced clusters of ripe grapes.

Gen 40:11 And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand. Fresh squeezed grape juice. (From this we find that wine anciently was the mere expressed juice of the grape, without fermentation).

Gen 40:12 And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days: Now Joseph will interpret the dream. 

Gen 40:13 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler. Within three days: Restore his position as chief cup-bearer.

Gen 40:14 But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: Joseph asked the cup-bearer for a favor of remembrance when things start to go well for him again. (Mention him to Pharaoh).

Gen 40:15 For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. Joseph explains how he got there and did nothing to deserve it. 

Gen 40:16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head: The baker had seen that Joseph gave the first dream a positive interpretation, so he told Joseph about his dream.

Gen 40:17 And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.  

Gen 40:18 And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days: Three baskets also represent three days. 

Gen 40:19 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee. Within three days: You are going to die. (Don't sound to good for the baker).

Gen 40:20 And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. Here comes a party day... Pharaoh summons the cup-bearer and the baker.

Gen 40:21 And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand: The cup-bearer gets his position back. 

Gen 40:22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them. The baker gets to die!

Gen 40:23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him. However, even with the good news of being restored to his position, the cup-bearer forgot all about Joseph and his request. (Amos 6:6). Sometimes we want to count on man to come through for us, but it just don't happen. You may do a favor for someone, just to have them forget about you when your in need. Always put your trust in God, not man. He will never leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalms 37:28, Isaiah 41:10, 41:17, Hebrews 13:5). 

Gen 41:1 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. Two full years: two complete solar revolutions; as a month of days is a full month. (Standing on the bank of the Nile river).

Gen 41:2 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. Seven kine: The "cow" was the emblem of Isis. In the Egyptian "Book of the Dead," Osiris is represented as a bull, accompanied by seven cows. (British Museum). This was the basis of the dream, and gave it such significance and mystery. 

Gen 41:3 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. Seven scrawny and thin cows stood beside the fat cows. 

Gen 41:4 And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. The thin cows ate the healthy fat cows. (This woke the Pharaoh up from his dream).

Gen 41:5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. Seven ears: A species of wheat, which grows in Egypt, bears, when perfect, seven ears on one stalk, as its natural conformation. It differs from ours in having a solid stem, or at least a stem full of pith, in order to yield sufficient nourishment and support to so great a weight as the ears which it bears. 

Gen 41:6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. Shriveled and withered like the thin cows. 

Gen 41:7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream. The thin heads swallowed up the plump heads. Again, like the thin cows.

Gen 41:8 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. None of the Pharaoh's magicians and wise men could tell him what the dreams meant.

Gen 41:9 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: The cupbearer remembers his experience in prison and brings it to Pharaoh's attention.

Gen 41:10 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: The cupbearer explains what happened.

Gen 41:11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. Told him about the dreams they had. 

Gen 41:12 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. Told him about the man who interpreted the dreams. (It was Joseph). 

Gen 41:13 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged. Things happened just as Joseph predicted.

Gen 41:14 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. Of course the Pharaoh called for Joseph.

Gen 41:15 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. Can you help me out with this dream I had.

Gen 41:16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. I can't Joseph says; but God can tell you what it means. (Notice Joseph always gives the credit to God). 

Gen 41:17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: Standing on the bank of the Nile river. 

Gen 41:25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. Joseph tells Pharaoh both dreams mean the same thing. God is telling you in advance what you are about to do.

Gen 41:29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: Great prosperity throughout the land of Egypt. (The last years of plenty was in B.C. 1708). 

Gen 41:30 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; After that there will be seven years of famine that will destroy the land. (The last years of the famine around 1700 B.C.)

Gen 41:31 And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. Very severe famine! It is well known, that in Egypt there is scarcely any rain, the country depending for its fertility upon the overflowing of the Nile; and that the fertility is in proportion to the duration and quality of the overflow, in order to saturate the land and prepare for the seed. Pliny has given a scale, by which the plenty or dearth may be ascertained; which may be considered as perfectly correct. The ordinary height of the inundations is 16 cubits. When the waters are lower than this standard, they do not overflow the whole ground; when above this standard they are too long in running off. In the first case, the ground is not saturated; by the second, the waters are detained so long on the ground that seed-time is lost. The province marks both. If it rise only 12 cubits, a famine is the consequence; at 13 hunger prevails; 14 produces general rejoicing; 15 perfect security; and 16 all the luxuries of life.  

Gen 41:32 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. Doubled: To denote its establishment by God. (Isaiah 40:2, Jeremiah 16:18). Pharaoh is going to get some clues on what he should do with the dream. 

Gen 41:33 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Select an intelligent and wise man to be in charge.

Gen 41:34 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. Do this: Take action! Appoint supervisors to collect one-fifth of all crops during the seven good years. 

Gen 41:35 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. Gather all the food from the good years, store it, guard it, so there will be food in the cities.  

Gen 41:36 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. The stored food should be enough during the seven years of famine. 

Gen 41:37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. The Pharaoh liked what Joseph had suggested.

Gen 41:38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

Gen 41:39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: The Pharaoh really liked the wisdom of Joseph, claiming no one was wiser than him.

Gen 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. Joseph gets the highest rank next to the Pharaoh himself. (Never underestimate the power of God, He can put you into any position of authority He wants you in). "Serve Him, and others will serve you."  

Gen 41:41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. Joseph was now in charge of the entire land of Egypt.

Gen 41:42 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; Joseph gets the signet ring, fine linen clothing, and huge gold chain around his neck. (All the frills of royalty).

Gen 41:43 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. He even gets a new Mercedes to ride in! LOL. 

Gen 41:44 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. Joseph has authority over the whole land.

Gen 41:45 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. Zaphnath (abundance), paaneah (life). The whole name "Zaphnathpaaneah," Not Hebrew, but Egyptian meaning: Abundance of life, or, of food for the living. Poti-pherah: The Egyptian priest of On = "City of the Sun," called in Hebrew "Aven and Bethshemesh," (Jeremiah 43:13), and in Greek "Heliopolis." (It was the university of Old Egypt).  

Gen 41:47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. As predicted, for seven years the land produced bumper crops.

Gen 41:48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. Stored up plenty of food. 

Gen 41:49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number. Had so much grain they stopped keeping records of it.

Gen 41:50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. During this time before the famine, two sons were born to Joseph. 

Gen 41:51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. Manasseh = (causing to forget). Believed by many scholars to represent the United States.  

Gen 41:52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. Ephraim = (double fruitful). Believed by many scholars to represent Great Britain. (Remember the lost tribes of Israel that went north over the Caucasus Mountains and settled in Europe and the Americas).

Gen 41:53 And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. The seven years of plenty now come to and end.

Gen 41:54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. The seven years of famine began to all the surrounding countries as predicted by Joseph. Egypt had plenty of food. 

Gen 41:55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. However, eventually the famine spread throughout Egypt as well.  

Gen 41:56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. Joseph opened up the storehouses and distributed grain among the Egyptians.

Gen 41:57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands. People from all around came to Egypt to but grain from Joseph because the famine was so severe. (Joseph was the go-to man in the area). God always takes care of His own.

Gen 42:1 Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another? What are you waiting for? There is grain down in Egypt.

Gen 42:2 And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die. Get your buts down there and buy enough grain to keep us alive so we don't die of starvation.

Gen 42:3 And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt. The whole band of brothers going to Egypt. 

Gen 42:4 But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him. He didn't want no harm to come to Benjamin so Jacob didn't send him with the others. He was the only other brother from Rachel. (Jacob may have suspected the other brothers).

Gen 42:5 And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan. Jacob's sons arrive in Egypt to buy grain. 

Gen 42:6 And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth. The brothers end up coming before Joseph for the grain, but did not recognize him.

Gen 42:7 And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. Joseph recognized his brothers instantly, but pretended to be strangers to them and spoke harshly to them. (Now Joseph is going to mess with them a little). Bringing their memory back to the pit at Dothan. (He's looking for a confession from his brothers). 

Gen 42:8 And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him. Why didn't they know Joseph? He changed in appearance. Joseph would be dressed like an Egyptian instead of a Hebrew. Joseph would be groomed like a Egyptian and would be clean shaven. No long hair and beards like his brothers. They would be speaking Hebrew and Joseph was speaking Egyptian. (Probably through an interpreter). The brothers had no clue it was Joseph, he was a different man.  

Gen 42:9 And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. Joseph remembers his dreams he had about them years before. (Now he tells his brothers they are spies). It was common for persons who, under the pretence of wishing to buy corn, desire only to find out whether the land be so defenseless that the tribes to which you belong may attack it successfully, drive out the inhabitants, and settle themselves in it; or, having plundered it, retire into their deserts. This is a frequent custom among the Arabs to the present day. 

Gen 42:10 And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come. Just here to buy food. 

Gen 42:11 We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies. Building up their reputation.

Gen 42:12 And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. Joseph stays right on them about being spies. (What's Joseph up to)?

Gen 42:13 And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not. Hmmm... They mention the brother left behind and even mention the brother that is no longer with them. (Wonder why they mentioned Joseph)?  

Gen 42:14 And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies:

Gen 42:15 Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither. Now we start to see part of Joseph's plan. He is concerned about Benjamin. He wants them to bring Benjamin down to Egypt so he can protect him from them. (He might be thinking they have already killed Benjamin). I believe he is testing his brothers to see if they have changed at all.

Gen 42:16 Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies. One of you goes back to fetch your brother, while the others stay here in jail. Then I will know if your spies or not. (Joseph wanted his brother where he could control them for the time being).

Gen 42:17 And he put them all together into ward three days. Wants to let them sweat a little bit. 

Gen 42:18 And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God: I am a God fearing man Joseph tells them. Do as I say and you will live!

Gen 42:19 If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses: You can take the grain home for your family, but one of you will remain here in prison to see if you are really honest men.

Gen 42:20 But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so. Bring your younger brother to me to prove you are telling the truth. They agree. 

Gen 42:21 And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. Discussing what they did to Joseph and figured that is why they are being punished. (Joseph's treatment is beginning to take affect).

Gen 42:22 And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required. I told you not to mess with the boy Reuben says. "Now we have to answer for his blood."  

Gen 42:23 And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter. They didn't know Joseph could understand every word they said, because Joseph had an interpreter present just to throw them off. (Little covert action on Joseph's part).

Gen 42:24 And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes. Not it starts to hit Joseph a little and he began to weep. Why? Joseph was touched by their sense of remorse. Why did he bind Simeon? Probably because it was his cruel nature that made him the deviser of the evil to kill Joseph.

Gen 42:25 Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them. Joseph not only gives them the grain, but does not charge them for it. (Secretly hid their money in the grain).

Gen 42:27 And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth. Finds the hidden money. 

Gen 42:28 And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us? A little worried about getting their money back. (I think they are starting to believe this will not turn out so good). "Feeling a little guilty maybe?" Was Joseph testing them, or was he forgiving them for what they done to him? 

Gen 42:29 And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying, Their back home, and now they are going to tell Jacob what happened.

Gen 42:35 And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bundle of money was in his sack: and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid. Again, they all find the money and were terrified. (This was not a common practice and they knew something was up).

Gen 42:36 And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me. Jacob starts to get a little worried and upset. He does not want to lose Benjamin like he did Joseph. He thinks everything is going against him. 

Gen 42:37 And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again. Reuben speaks up and takes full responsibility for Benjamin's safety. 

Gen 42:38 And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. It's not going to happen Jacob replied. Joseph is dead and Benjamin is all I have left. (All he has left from Rachel, his favorite wife). If something was to happen to him, it would put me in my grave.  

Gen 43:1 And the famine was sore in the land.

Gen 43:2 And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food. Out of food and need another trip to Egypt.

Gen 43:3 And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you. Don't return unless your brother is with you. 

Gen 43:4 If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food: If we can bring Benjamin with us, we will go.

Gen 43:5 But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you. No Benjamin, no food.

Gen 43:6 And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother? The name Jacob, is used of his weakness. (Genesis 42:36). The name Israel, of his resignation to God's will.    

Gen 43:7 And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down? Joseph was persistent in getting his brother Benjamin to join him. 

Gen 43:8 And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones. Just send the boy with me so we can get some food and not die of starvation. (Notice Judah throws the little one in there to encourage Jacob). 

Gen 43:9 I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever: Takes total responsibility for Benjamin.

Gen 43:10 For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time. Lets quit arguing and get on our way, we could have been back already. 

Gen 43:11 And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds: Since we have no choice, bring some of the best gifts we have down to the man in Egypt. (Things not found in Egypt).

Gen 43:12 And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight: Also, double the money that you found in the sacks of grain because it was probably a mistake.

Gen 43:13 Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man: 

Gen 43:14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. God Almighty (El Shaddai). Mercy: Put for the favors shown. Jacob agrees even if there is a chance of losing Benjamin.

Gen 43:15 And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. Now they finally face Joseph with Benjamin present. 

Gen 43:16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon. Joseph wants to have lunch with his brothers.

Gen 43:17 And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house. 

Gen 43:18 And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses. Their still thinking about the extra money they found in the sacks of grain and think Joseph is going to say they stole the money. (How the mind can wonder when your in a certain predicament).

Gen 43:19 And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house, Making someone aware of the money in the sacks before they see Joseph. 

Gen 43:20 And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:

Gen 43:21 And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand. They tell the man about the money they found and offer to give it back.

Gen 43:22 And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks. We don't know who put the money in our sacks.

Gen 43:23 And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them. I had your money: Heb. Your money came to me, "Caspechem ba ailai," "your money comes to me," as I am the steward, the cash for the corn belongs to me. Ye have no occasion to be apprehensive of any evil; the whole transaction is between myself and you; receive therefore the money as a present from "the God of your father," no matter whose hands he employs to convey it.

Gen 43:24 And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender. 

Gen 43:25 And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there. Getting ready for lunch with Joseph. 

Gen 43:26 And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth. 

Gen 43:27 And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive? Joseph concerned about his father.

Gen 43:28 And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance. 

Gen 43:29 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son. Benjamin would have been a young boy the last time Joseph had seen him. He was now twenty-two, and the father of ten sons. (Genesis 46:21). 

Gen 43:30 And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. Joseph was really moved with emotion for his brother and he wept in private to regain his composure. 

Gen 43:31 And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread. After Joseph gathered himself together, it was time to dine. Bring on the food and wine.

Gen 43:32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians. Joseph at his own table, his brothers at a separate table, and the other Egyptians that were present at their own table. (Keep in mind that the Egyptians were not to fond of the Hebrews and refused to eat with them). "For every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians." (Genesis 46:34).

Gen 43:33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another. Now the brothers of Joseph were really surprised (looking at one another), that Joseph knew their ages and seated them accordingly. (Getting a little feeling in their gut, thinking this is more than just a coincidence). 

Gen 43:34 And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him. Now Joseph gives them plenty of food and drink, but seems to favor Benjamin with five times more. (Keep in mind that "five" is the number of grace). Perhaps a test to see if they were still full of envy. Joseph knew that his father Jacob favored Benjamin just as he favored him, and the brothers did not like that. But for now, they ate well and had plenty to drink. (Partied it up real good).  

Gen 44:1 And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth. Give them food and their money and send them on their way.

Gen 44:2 And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. Joseph's personal silver cup. (a cup from which wine was poured, distinguishing from the smaller cups to drink from). The fourth step to try them, and to prove whether they were the same brethren still, and would treat Benjamin as they treated Joseph. 

Gen 44:4 And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? Remember the larger silver cup?

Gen 44:5 Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing. Why have you stolen my master's silver cup the steward asked them?

Gen 44:7 And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing: We didn't do it. 

Gen 44:8 Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold? We returned the money in our sacks from before, why would we steal a silver cup, or anything else?

Gen 44:9 With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen. Find this cup on any of us and they should die, and we will be your slaves. 

Gen 44:10 And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless. I only want the one who stole the cup and he will be my slave. 

Gen 44:12 And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. Found the cup in Benjamin's sack, just as Joseph planed it.

Gen 44:15 And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine? What have you done, Joseph asked? Don't you know I can predict the future? 

Gen 44:16 And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found. Judah is really copping a plea here. God is punishing us for our sins. Probably not just thinking of the cup, but what they did to Joseph twenty years before. Now they offer to all be his slaves.  

Gen 44:17 And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father. "No," I would not do such a thing! Just the man who stole the cup will be my slave. As the saying goes... Joseph kills two birds with one stone here. He gets to keep Benjamin with him and he will be safe, and also he gives his brothers a chance to get rid of Benjamin, like they did him.

Gen 44:18 Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh. Now Judah is going to plea with Joseph again and break down the whole story.

Gen 44:28 And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since: Here Joseph learned what happened after they had sold him; and how they had deceived their father. (Genesis 37:31-32).

Gen 44:30 Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life; 

Gen 44:31 It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave. 

Gen 44:33 Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. Judah's last plea to Joseph to let Benjamin return home with their brothers. 

Gen 44:34 For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father. He could not bear to see the Anguish this would bring his father Jacob.

Gen 45:1 Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. Joseph finally had enough. The testing was over and now he wants to reunite with his brothers.

Gen 45:2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. Joseph broke down and wept loudly, (showing his intensity of feeling), probably now speaking in Hebrew and no longer in Egyptian. It was heard by some of the Egyptians and they told Pharaoh. 

Gen 45:3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and they are speechless! Just as the true Joseph (Jesus), will one day reveal Himself, and His brethren will then be troubled indeed. (Zechariah 12:9-14, Matthew 24:30, Revelation 1:7). We can see a parallel between Joseph and Jesus. 

Gen 45:4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Whom ye sold: Words adopted by Stephen (Acts 7:9).   

Gen 45:5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. Don't be troubled or angry; it was God who sent me before you to preserve life. i.e. to preserve you a posterity in the earth; and to ensure the birth of the true Joseph (Jesus Christ), and all who have life in Him. God did send: (Psalm 105:17).

Gen 45:6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. Another five years of famine yet to come.

Gen 45:7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. God was in control and sent me ahead of you to put forth a remnant to save. (Psalm 18:50, 44:4). 

Gen 45:8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. It was all under the work of God that I am an adviser to Pharaoh.

Gen 45:9 Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not: Wow, what are these brothers going to tell their father now? God had made him the master over all the land of Egypt. Are they going to come clean with Jacob? Joseph wants Jacob and the family to move down with him and Jacob will probably find out what really happened.

Gen 45:10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast: Goshen was the most eastern district of Lower Egypt, and the frontier of that country and Arabia, not far from the Arabian gulf, and lying next to Canaan; for Jacob went directly thither when he came into Egypt, from which it was about eighty miles distant, though Hebron was distant from the Egyptian capital about three hundred miles.  

Gen 45:11 And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty. I'll take care of you Joseph says.

Gen 45:12 And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you. 

Gen 45:13 And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither. Tell our father Jacob about everything you have seen and bring him down to me. 

Gen 45:15 Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him. All had a good reuniting and reminiscing talk.

Gen 45:16 And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants. When the news reached the Pharaoh's palace, Pharaoh and his servants were delighted with the news. 

Gen 45:17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;

Gen 45:22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment. Benjamin gets a little extra from Joseph. 

Gen 45:23 And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way. Made sure they had everything needed for their journey,

Gen 45:24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way. Joseph tells them not to argue about this on the way home.

Gen 45:26 And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not. The name Jacob: Here we compare Jacob's fainting, with Israel's strength. 

Gen 45:28 And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die. The name Israel: Here the name Israel is used in connection with his strength of faith, and act. (Genesis 46:1). Again, compare Israel's strength, with Jacob's fainting in verse 26.

Gen 46:1 And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac. Jacob sets out to Egypt and stops at Beersheba (well of an oath), where his father Isaac lived and Jacob grew up. Offered sacrifices: Hebrew "Zabach," (to offer an animal sacrifice).

Gen 46:2 And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. Jacob, Jacob: God called his name twice for emphasis. To remind him of what he was and had been, in contrast to what God would make him. 

Gen 46:3 And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: Jacob was a little afraid right now. God insures him not to be afraid and He will make them a great nation. 

Gen 46:4 I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes. God assured Jacob that Joseph would be with him when he dies. A custom for the nearest relative to be with them when they die. (a last kiss good-bye if you will). Then Jacob could close his eyes in peace.

Gen 46:5 And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. All packed up and heading down to Egypt.

Gen 46:6 And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him: Took everything they owned including all their livestock. 

Gen 46:7 His sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt. 

Gen 46:8 And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn. Below is a list of the family members that left Canaan to go to Egypt.

Gen 46:28 And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen. The land east of Memphis, suitable for grazing, called "the field of Zoan."

Gen 46:29 And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while. Joseph sets out on his Chariot to meet his father Jacob in Goshen. When he met him, they embraced for a long time.

Gen 46:30 And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive. Jacob was relieved that he found his son Joseph alive.

Gen 46:34 That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians. Tell the Pharaoh that we are your servants and have raise livestock all our lives. Then he will let you live here in the region of Goshen, because the Egyptians despise shepherd's. (Joseph's advice would commend his brethren to Pharaoh and keep them separate from the Egyptians).    

Gen 47:2 And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh. (Five being the number of grace).

Gen 47:3 And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers. 

Gen 47:4 They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen. Needed fertile pastor for their flocks.

Gen 47:5 And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee: 

Gen 47:6 The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle. Pharaoh is going to give them the best land and put them in charge of his livestock also.

Gen 47:7 And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. Jacob gives Pharaoh a blessing.

Gen 47:9 And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage. Jacob 130 years old at the time, will live another seventeen years. Isaac (his father), lived to be 180 years old. Abraham (his grandfather), lived to be 175 years old.

Gen 47:10 And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh. Jacob blesses Pharaoh again before leaving the court. "The less is blessed of the better." (Hebrews 7:7).

Gen 47:11 And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. Rameses: Later name of Goshen. (Exodus 1:11). 

Gen 47:12 And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's household, with bread, according to their families. Joseph gives them food according to how many dependents they had.

Gen 47:13 And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine. The famine got real bad and people were starving throughout the land of Egypt and Canaan. 

Gen 47:14 And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house. Caused the money to be gather up.

Gen 47:15 And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth. All the money and food gone in the surrounding areas.

Gen 47:16 And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail. Joseph comes up with the idea to take their livestock in exchange for food. This was the wisest measure that could be adopted, both for the preservation of the people and the cattle. As the people had not grain for their own sustenance, consequently they could have none for their cattle. Hence they were in the most imminent danger of starving; and the people also were in equal danger; as they must have divided a portion of that bought for themselves with the cattle, which, for the sake of tillage, etc., they wished of course to preserve till the seven years' famine should end. 

Gen 47:17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year. Traded their livestock for another years supple of food.

Gen 47:18 When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands: The year was over and now the people are broke, with no food, and all their livestock is gone. (Only their land and their bodies were left). 

Gen 47:19 Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate. The people offer their land and their service as servants to Pharaoh so that they may live. 

Gen 47:20 And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's. Joseph buys up all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh.

Gen 47:21 And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof. Now all the people of Egypt were made (servants or bondmen), to Pharaoh. It is highly probable, that Joseph was influenced by no political motive in removing the people to the cities, but merely by motives of prudence and humanity; for, as the corn was laid up in the cities, it would be more eligible to bring then from distant towns and villages to places where they might be more conveniently supplied with food. 

Gen 47:22 Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands. The priests gets to keep their land. 

Gen 47:23 Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land. Now that is some expensive seed!

Gen 47:24 And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones. You take care of the land and Pharaoh gets 20% of the action. (This is the Turkish law in Palestine to-day, if the landlord supplies cattle and seed).  

Gen 47:25 And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants. The people are grateful to Joseph for saving them. (They agree to be pharaoh's servants).

Gen 47:26 And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part; except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh's. Joseph issued a decree still in effect in the land of Egypt, that Pharaoh would receive one-fifth of all the crops grown in his land. (Only the land given to the priests did not belong to Pharaoh). 

Gen 47:27 And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly. Population grew rapidly in the area. 

Gen 47:28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. Jacob hits his full age of 147 years. 

Gen 47:29 And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt: Jacob wants Joseph to swear an oath not to bury him in Egypt.

Gen 47:30 But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said. Jacob wanted to be buried with his ancestors, and Joseph promised to do so. 

Gen 47:31 And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head. Joseph gives his oath to bury Jacob in the "Promised Land."  

Gen 48:1 And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. Remember verses 41:51-52, Manasseh = (causing to forget). Ephraim (double fruitful). Also believed by many scholars to represent the USA and Great Britain.

Gen 48:2 And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.  

Gen 48:3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me, (GOD ALMIGHTY: El Shaddai).

Gen 48:4 And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession. (Emphasizing the four parts of the blessing). 

Gen 48:5 And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. The united preference of Joseph's two sons.

Gen 48:6 And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance. Ephraim and Manasseh will inherit directly form Jacob. Any children born of Joseph after this will be counted in Joseph's inheritance.

Gen 48:7 And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem. Rachel died (Genesis 35:19).

Gen 48:13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him. Joseph positioned his two sons in front of Jacob. He directed Ephraim toward Jacob's left hand, and Manasseh (the oldest son), at Jacob's right hand in order to get the best blessing.  

Gen 48:14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn. But wait... Jacob crossed is arms as he reached out. Now he puts his right hand in the head of Ephraim (the younger one), and his left hand on Manasseh, even though he was the firstborn. Why the sudden switch? Did Jacob know what he was doing, or was it divine intervention? (Remember, God is in control). 

Gen 48:15 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, Then Jacob blesses Joseph. 

Gen 48:17 And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head. Joseph was a little upset. Displeased him: (was evil in his eyes). Joseph tries to switch it up to the way he wanted it to be. (The traditional way). 

Gen 48:18 And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head. Joseph tells Jacob, Manasseh is the firstborn, put your right hand on him. 

Gen 48:19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. Jacob refused and tells Joseph; I know what I am doing, Manasseh will become a great people, but his younger brother will become even greater. Jacob's faith overcoming "the will of man." (Hebrews 11:21). Just as Isaac's faith overcame "the will of the flesh." (Hebrews 11:20). 

Gen 48:20 And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh. Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

Gen 48:21 And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers. God will be with you, Jacob tells Joseph.

Gen 48:22 Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow. Both Abraham and Jacob bought property at Shechem (Genesis 23:18-19, 33:18-19). Supplemental history tells how Jacob recovered it out of the hand of the Amorite who must have seized it.

Gen 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. Shall befall you: This blessing is direct prophecy. The last days: First occurrence of fourteen. (Genesis 49:1, Numbers 24:14, Deuteronomy 4:30, 31:29, Isaiah 2:2, Jeremiah 23:20, 30:24, 48:47, 49:39, Ezekiel 38:16, Daniel 2:28, 10:14, Hosea 3:5, Micah 4:1). Ten of these rendered "later days," a study will show that the prophecy (verse 1) and "blessing" (verse 28), extends to, and embraces the days of the Messiah, and His first and second advents. 

Gen 49:2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father. About to tell them of the future.

Gen 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Reuben first in rank and first in power. 

Gen 49:4 Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. Because you have slept with my wife (Genesis 35:22), you will be first no longer. 

Gen 49:5 Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. Their swords are weapons of violence. (Genesis 34:25-29, 34:31). Remember they organized the slaughter of the men of Shechem because the son of the mayor raped their sister Dinah.

Gen 49:6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. I will never be a part of their plans. In your anger you murdered men. Digged down a wall: Houghed oxen, or hamstrung an ox (crippled oxen just for sport).

Gen 49:7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. Divide: fulfilled, (Joshua 19:1, 1 Chronicles 4:39-43, Leviticus 25:32-34). Levi's turned to blessing later. (Exodus 32:26-29, Deuteronomy 10:8-9).

Gen 49:8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee. The first to receive a positive blessing. All will praise and bow before thee: (2 Samuel 5:1-8, Psalm 72:11, Philippians 2:10). Every knee shall bow to the Son of David, Jesus. 

Gen 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? A name of Jesus comes to mind here. (Revelation 5:5), "Jesus is called "the Lion of the tribe of Judah."

Gen 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Sceptre: First occurrence. "Shebet" H7626 "Rod or Staff." One who holds it as ruler. (Numbers 24:17, Psalm 45:6, Zechariah 10:11). Lawgiver: First occurrence. (Numbers 21:18, Deuteronomy 33:21, Psalm 60:7, 108:8, Isaiah 33:22). From between his feet: From his prosperity. "From his thighs, i.e. his seed." (Deuteronomy 28:57). Until Shiloh come: "Shiyloh" H7886 "tranquil," "peace," an epithet of the Messiah; whose right it is. (Ezekiel 21:27). Who is the Prince of Peace? (Jeremiah 23:5-6, Daniel 9:25). 

Gen 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: Vine: "gephen" H1612, to bend a vine by twining, especially the grape vine. (Used as rope). Vine: "soreq soreq soreqah" H8321, a vine stock. (Tied to a vine stock). Washed in wine: "yayin" H3196, as fermented. (There was more than enough to lavish). His clothes in the "blood" of grapes: Blood "dam" H1818, (as that which when shed causes death) of a man or animal. (innocent bloodshed). The blood that would be shed on the cross for us. Forgiveness and a washing of our sins. (Matthew 26:27-29).   

Gen 49:12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk. (Proverbs 23:29). 

Gen 49:13 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon. Zubulun would deal with sea merchants and be a harbor for ships. 

Gen 49:14 Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens:  

Gen 49:15 And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute. The tribe of Issachar preferred to pay tribute to the Canaanites rather than engage in the struggle to expel them.

Gen 49:16 Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Fulfilled in (Judges 15:20). 

Gen 49:17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. A serpent: Beguiling to idolatry. The first tribe to do so. (Judges 18:30), Hence omitted in (Revelation 7:4).

Gen 49:18 I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD. Put for Him Who brings deliverance from all the works of the old serpent. (Isaiah 25:8-9, Matthew 24:13).

Gen 49:19 Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last. Gad will be attacked by invading armies, but he will attack them when they retreat.

Gen 49:20 Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties. Asher would settle in very fertile farm land. He would dine on rich foods fit for a king. (They had the good chefs). 

Gen 49:21 Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. Let loose: Emphasis on freedom. Goodly words: Song of Deborah. (Judges 5:18).

Gen 49:22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: Joseph: "To add, or be fruitful." (Deuteronomy 33:13-17).

Gen 49:23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: Sorely grieved: (Amos 6:6). "Remember the pain the brothers caused Joseph."  

Gen 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:). Jacob saw God was with Joseph. (The "shepherd" and "stone" of Israel). Israel: a symbolical name of Jacob. However, the true "Shepherd" and "Corner Stone" of Israel would be "Jesus Christ." (He is our "Rock" of truth and salvation).  

Gen 49:25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:  

Gen 49:26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren. When you add Ephraim and Manasseh together, you will see that Joseph had become the largest tribe. A blessing to Joseph that he will be a prince among his brothers.

Gen 49:27 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. The Benjamites. A vicious immoral people (Numbers 23:24, Judges 3:15, 20:25).

Gen 49:28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them. The sons collectively.

Gen 49:29 And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, Jacob instructed them to bury him among his people, with his father and grandfather.

Gen 49:31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah. Isaac, Sarah, Rebekah, Abraham, Leah = Israel. (Hebrews 11:11-13). 

Gen 49:33 And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people. The spirit going to God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

Gen 50:1 And Joseph fell upon his father's face, and wept upon him, and kissed him. Joseph got the privilege to close his father's eyes (Genesis 46:4), and give him the customary kiss goodbye. Then he wept over him.

Gen 50:2 And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father: and the physicians embalmed Israel. Note: Israelites never embalmed. This would be an Egyptian custom. 

Gen 50:3 And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days. The embalming process took 40 days. The Egyptians mourned his death for seventy days.  

Gen 50:4 And when the days of his mourning were past, Joseph spake unto the house of Pharaoh, saying, If now I have found grace in your eyes, speak, I pray you, in the ears of Pharaoh, saying, The custom during morning was not to shave or cut your hair, so Joseph was not presentable to see Pharaoh. So Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh and asked them to speak to Pharaoh on his behalf. 

Gen 50:5 My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die: in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me. Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come again. Joseph wanted permission from Pharaoh to go and bury his father in his homeland of Canaan and then he would return.

Gen 50:6 And Pharaoh said, Go up, and bury thy father, according as he made thee swear. Pharaoh gives him permission.

Gen 50:7 And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt,

Gen 50:8 And all the house of Joseph, and his brethren, and his father's house: only their little ones, and their flocks, and their herds, they left in the land of Goshen. 

Gen 50:9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company. Quite a gathering for the funeral of Jacob.

Gen 50:10 And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days. Verses 7-10, Emphasizing each party.  

Gen 50:11 And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, This is a grievous mourning to the Egyptians: wherefore the name of it was called Abelmizraim, which is beyond Jordan. Abelmizraim: Meadow of Egypt, i.e. the morning of the Egyptians.

Gen 50:12 And his sons did unto him according as he commanded them: 

Gen 50:15 And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. Now Joseph's brothers are a little afraid that pay-back time is near. Jacob is gone and they think Joseph will show his anger against them for all the wrong they did to him.

Gen 50:16 And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,  

Gen 50:17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. They beg for forgiveness and Joseph wept.  

Gen 50:19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? Don't be afraid Joseph tells them. It belongs to God to execute vengeance, and Joseph did not intend to usurp his prerogative. Thus he instructed his brethren not to fear him, but to fear God; to humble themselves before God, and to seek his forgiveness.  

Gen 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. This was all part of God's plan so I could save the lives of many people.

Gen 50:22 And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's house: and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years. Joseph lived to be 110 years old. (Joseph's life was the shortest of all the patriarchs). 

Gen 50:23 And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees. His great-great grandchildren by Ephraim. His great grandchildren from Manasseh. Brought up: i.e. were adopted by him as soon as they were born.

Gen 50:24 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Will surely visit you: (Exodus 3:16). This was the faith of Joseph referred to in (Hebrews 11:22). Joseph heard (Romans 10:17), and believed what God had said to Abraham. (Genesis 12:7, 15:18), Isaac (Genesis 26:3-4), and Jacob (Genesis 28:13, 35:12). All three names are united and recognized in (Exodus 2:24, 3:6, Psalm 105:9-10).

Gen 50:25 And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence. Carry up my bones from hence: Which they did. (Exodus 13:19, Joshua 24:32). 

Gen 50:26 So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. Joseph died at the age of 110, and was placed in a coffin in Egypt. So, the book of Genesis begins with God, and ends with man. It begins with the creation of the heavens above, and ends with "a coffin in Egypt."