Study Desk

So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt, every man selling his possessions, because of the greatness of the famine. And he brought it into Pharao’s hands:

And he lived in it seventeen years: and all the days of his life came to a hundred and forty-seven years.

And when he saw that the day of his death drew nigh, he called his son Joseph, and said to him: If I have found favour in thy sight, put thy hand under my thigh; and thou shalt shew me this kindness and truth, not to bury me in Egypt.

After these things, it was told Joseph that his father was sick; and he set out to go to him, taking his two sons Manasses and Ephraim.

And it was told the old man: Behold thy son Joseph cometh to thee. And being strengthened, he sat on his bed.

Then seeing his sons, he said to him: Who are these?

For Israel’s eyes were dim by reason of his great age, and he could not see clearly. And when they were brought to him, he kissed and embraced them,

And said to his son: I am not deprived of seeing thee; moreover God hath shewn me thy seed.

And when Joseph had taken them from his father’s lap, he bowed down with his face to the ground.

And he set Ephraim on his right hand, that is, towards the left hand of Israel; but Manasses on his left hand, to wit, towards his father’s right hand, and brought them near to him.

But he, stretching forth his right hand, put it upon the head of Ephraim, the younger brother; and the left upon the head of Manasses, who was the elder, changing his hands.

And Joseph seeing that his father had put his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, was much displeased: and taking his father’s hand, he tried to lift it from Ephraim’s head, and to remove it to the head of Manasses.

And he said to his father: It should not be so, my father; for this is the firstborn, put thy right hand upon his head.

But he refusing, said: I know, my son, I know: and this also shall become a people, and shall be multiplied; but his younger brother shall be greater than he; and his seed shall grow into nations.

And he said to Joseph, his son: Behold I die, and God will be with you, and will bring you back into the land of your fathers.

And Jacob called his sons, and said to them: Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you the things that shall befall you in the last days.

Thou art poured out as water, grow thou not; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed, and didst defile his couch.

The sceptre shall not be taken away from Juda, nor a ruler from his thigh, till he come that is to be sent, and he shall be the expectation of nations.

Tying his foal to the vineyard, and his ass, O my son, to the vine. He shall wash his robe in wine, and his garment in the blood of the grape.

His eyes are more beautiful than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.