Jacob with his sons being come into Gessen, Pharao granteth them the same place to dwell in. 13. The famine forceth the Egyptians to sell all their goods, lands, and possessions to the King, 22. except the Priests' part, to whom the king alloweth necessary food, without paying for it. 27. After seventeen years Jacob adjureth Joseph, to bury him amongst his ancestors.Iacob with his sonnes being come into Gessen, Pharao granteth them the same place to dwel in. 13. The famine forceth the Ægyptians to sel al their goods, landes, and possessions to the King, 22. except the Priests part, to whom the king aloweth necessarie foode, without paying for it. 27. After seuentene yeares Iacob adiureth Ioseph, to burie him amongst his ancesters.
Joseph therefore going in told Pharao, saying: My father and brethren, their sheep and herds, and all things that they possess, are come out of the Land of Chanaan: and behold they stay in the Land of Gessen.IOSEPH therfore going in told Pharao, saing: My father & brethren, their sheepe and heardes, & al thinges that they possesse, are come out of the Land of Chanaan: & behold they stay in the Land of Gessen.Ingressus ergo Joseph nuntiavit Pharaoni, dicens : Pater meus et fratres, oves eorum et armenta, et cuncta quæ possident, venerunt de terra Chanaan : et ecce consistunt in terra Gessen.
2The the last, the least eminent of them: Latin *extremos* · Vulgate: extremos also of his brethren five persons he presented before the king:The vtmost also of his brethren fiue persons he presented before the king:Extremos quoque fratrum suorum quinque viros constituit coram rege :
3whom he asked: What trade have you? They answered: We thy servants are shepherds, keepers of flocks, not clergymen · Vulgate: pastores ovium of sheep, both we, and our fathers.whom he asked: What trade haue you? They answered: We thy seruantes are pastours of sheepe, both we, and our fathers.quos ille interrogavit : Quid habetis operis ? Responderunt : Pastores ovium sumus servi tui, et nos et patres nostri.
4We are come to sojourn in the land, because there is no grass for thy servants' flocks, the famine being very sore in the land of Chanaan: and we desire thee to command that we thy servants may be in the Land of Gessen.We are come to soiourne in the land, because there is no grasse for thy seruantes flockes, the famine being very sore in the land of Chanaan: and we desire thee to command that we thy seruantes may be in the Land of Gessen.Ad peregrinandum in terra tua venimus : quoniam non est herba gregibus servorum tuorum, ingravescente fame in terra Chanaan : petimusque ut esse nos jubeas servos tuos in terra Gessen.
5And the King therefore said to Joseph: Thy father and thy brethren are come to thee.And the King therfore said to Ioseph: Thy father and thy brethren are come to thee.Dixit itaque rex ad Joseph : Pater tuus et fratres tui venerunt ad te.
6The Land of Egypt is in thy sight: make them to dwell in the best place, and deliver them the Land of Gessen. And if so be thou know that there are industrious men among them, appoint them masters of my cattle.The Land of Ægypt is in thy sight: make them to dwel in the best place, and deliuer them the Land of Gessen. And if so be thou knowe that there are industrious men among them, appoint them maisters of my cattel.Terra Ægypti in conspectu tuo est : in optimo loco fac eos habitare, et trade eis terram Gessen. Quod si nosti in eis esse viros industrios, constitue illos magistros pecorum meorum.
7After this Joseph brought in his father to the king, and set him before him: who blessing him,After this Ioseph brought in his father to the king, and set him before him: who blessing him,Post hæc introduxit Joseph patrem suum ad regem, et statuit eum coram eo : qui benedicens illi,
8and being asked of him: How many be the days of the years of thy life?and being asked of him: How manie be the dayes of the yeares of thy life?et interrogatus ab eo : Quot sunt dies annorum vitæ tuæ ?
9He answered: The days of the pilgrimage of my life are an hundred thirty years, few, and evil, and they are not come to the days of my fathers, in which they were pilgrims.He answered: The dayes of the pilgrimage of my life are an hundred thirtie yeares, few, and euil, and they are not come to the dayes of my fathers, in which they were pilgrimes.respondit : Dies peregrinationis meæ centum triginta annorum sunt, parvi et mali, et non pervenerunt usque ad dies patrum meorum quibus peregrinati sunt.
10And blessing the king, he went forth.And blessing the king, he went forth.Et benedicto rege, egressus est foras.
11But Joseph gave possession to his father and his brethren in Egypt, in the best place of the land, in Rhamesses, as Pharao had commanded.But Ioseph gaue possession to his father and his brethren in Ægypt, in the best place of the land, in Rhamesses, as Pharao had commanded.Joseph vero patri et fratribus suis dedit possessionem in Ægypto in optimo terræ loco, Ramesses, ut præceperat Pharao.
12And he nourished them, and all his father's house, allowing food, provisions · Vulgate: cibaria to every one.And he nourished them, and al his fathers house, alowing victuals to euerie one.Et alebat eos, omnemque domum patris sui, præbens cibaria singulis.
13For in the whole world there was lacking, not "desired" · Vulgate: deerat bread, and famine oppressed the land, especially of Egypt and Chanaan.For in the whole world there wanted bread, and famine oppressed the land, especially of Ægypt and Chanaan.In toto enim orbe panis deerat, et oppresserat fames terram, maxime Ægypti et Chanaan.
14Out of which he gathered together all the money for the selling of grain, standing cereal crops in general, not maize · Vulgate: frumenti, and brought it in unto the king's treasure.Out of which he gethered together al the money for the selling of corne, and brought it in vnto the kings treasure.E quibus omnem pecuniam congregavit pro venditione frumenti, et intulit eam in ærarium regis.
15And when the buyers wanted money, all Egypt came to Joseph, saying: Give us bread: why die we before thee, our money failing?And when the byers wanted money, al Ægypt came to Ioseph, saying: Geue vs bread: why die we before thee, our money failing?Cumque defecisset emptoribus pretium, venit cuncta Ægyptus ad Joseph, dicens : Da nobis panes : quare morimur coram te, deficiente pecunia ?
16To whom he answered: Bring your cattle, and for them I will give you victuals, if you have not to pay.To whom he answered: Bring your cattel, and for them I wil geue you victuals, if you haue not to pay.Quibus ille respondit : Adducite pecora vestra, et dabo vobis pro eis cibos, si pretium non habetis.
17Which when they had brought, he gave them sustenance for horses, and sheep, and oxen, and asses: and he sustained them that year for the exchange of the cattle.Which when they had brought, he gaue them sustenance for horses, and sheepe, and oxen, and asses: and he sustained them that yeere for the exchange of the cattel.Quæ cum adduxissent, dedit eis alimenta pro equis, et ovibus, et bobus, et asinis : sustentavitque eos illo anno pro commutatione pecorum.
18And there came the second year, and said to him: We will not conceal from our lord, that our money failing, our cattle as well, along with the rest · Vulgate: simul have failed: neither art thou ignorant, that we have nothing besides our bodies and land.And there came the second yeare, and said to him: We wil not conceale from our lord, that our money fayling, our cattel withal haue fayled: neither art thou ignorant, that we haue nothing besides our bodies and land.Venerunt quoque anno secundo, et dixerunt ei : Non celabimus dominum nostrum quod deficiente pecunia, pecora simul defecerunt : nec clam te est, quod absque corporibus et terra nihil habeamus.
19Why therefore shall we die in thy sight? both we and our land will be thine: buy us to be the king's bondmen, and give us seed, lest for lack, want · Vulgate: pereunte cultore of tillers the land be turned into a wilderness.Why therefore shal we die in thy sight? both we and our land wil be thyne: bye vs to be the kings bondmen, and geue vs sede, lest for default of tillers the land be turned into a wildernes.Cur ergo moriemur te vidente ? et nos et terra nostra tui erimus : eme nos in servitutem regiam, et præbe semina, ne pereunte cultore redigatur terra in solitudinem.
20Joseph therefore bought all the Land of Egypt, every man selling his possessions for the greatness of the famine. And he brought it under Pharao's hands,Ioseph therefore bought al the Land of Ægypt, euerie man selling his possessions for the greatnes of the famine. And he brought it vnder Pharaos handes,Emit igitur Joseph omnem terram Ægypti, vendentibus singulis possessiones suas præ magnitudine famis. Subjecitque eam Pharaoni,
21and all the people thereof from the farthest ends of Egypt, even to the uttermost bounds, borders, not seashores · Vulgate: fines thereof,and al the people therof from the farthest ends of Ægypt, euen to the vttermost coasts therof,et cunctos populos ejus a novissimis terminis Ægypti usque ad extremos fines ejus,
22saving the land of the Priests, which the king had delivered them: to whom also a certain allowance of victuals was given out of the common barns, and therefore they were not driven to sell their possessions.sauing the land of the Priests, which the king had deliuered them: to whom also a certaine alowance of victuals was geuen out of the comon barnes, and therfore they were not driuen to sel their possessions.præter terram sacerdotum, quæ a rege tradita fuerat eis : quibus et statuta cibaria ex horreis publicis præbebantur, et idcirco non sunt compulsi vendere possessiones suas.
23Joseph therefore said to the people: Behold as you see, Pharao possesseth both you and your land: take seed, and sow the fields,Ioseph therefore said to the people: Behold as you see, Pharao possesseth both you and your land: take sede, and sowe the fields,Dixit ergo Joseph ad populos : En ut cernitis, et vos et terram vestram Pharao possidet : accipite semina, et serite agros,
24that you may have corn. The fifth part you shall give to the king: the other four I am content you shall have for seed, and for food to your families and your children.that you may haue corne. The fifth part you shal geue to the king: the other foure I am content you shal haue for sede, and for foode to your families and your children.ut fruges habere possitis. Quintam partem regi dabitis : quatuor reliquas permitto vobis in sementem, et in cibum familiis et liberis vestris.
25Who answered: Our life is in thy hand: only let our lord have a respect unto us, and we will gladly serve the king.Who answered: Our life is in thy hand: only let our lord haue a respect vnto vs, and we wil gladly serue the king.Qui responderunt : Salus nostra in manu tua est : respiciat nos tantum dominus noster, et læti serviemus regi.
26From that time until this present day in the whole land of Egypt, the fifth part is paid to the kings, and it became as it were a law, saving the land of the priests, which was free from this condition.From that time vntil this present day in the whole land of Ægypt, the fifth part is paid to the kings, and it became as it were a law, sauing the land of the priests, which was free from this condition.Ex eo tempore usque in præsentem diem, in universa terra Ægypti regibus quinta pars solvitur, et factum est quasi in legem, absque terra sacerdotali, quæ libera ab hac conditione fuit.
27Israel therefore dwelt in Egypt, that is, in the Land of Gessen, and possessed it: and was increased, and multiplied exceedingly.Israel therefore dwelt in Ægypt, that is, in the Land of Gessen, and possessed it: and was increased, and multiplied exceedingly.Habitavit ergo Israël in Ægypto, id est, in terra Gessen, et possedit eam : auctusque est, et multiplicatus nimis.
28And he lived in it seventeen years: and all the days of his life came to an hundred forty seven years.And he liued in it seuentene yeares: and al the dayes of his life came to an hundred fourtie seuen yeares.Et vixit in ea decem et septem annis : factique sunt omnes dies vitæ illius, centum quadraginta septem annorum.
29And when he saw that the day of his death approached, he called his son Joseph, and said to him: If I have found grace in thy sight, put thy hand under my thigh: and thou shalt do me this mercy and truth, Not to bury me in Egypt:And when he sawe that the day of his death approched, he called his sonne Ioseph, and said to him: If I haue found grace in thy sight, put thy hand vnder my thigh: and thou shalt do me this mercie and truth, Not to burie me in Ægypt:Cumque appropinquare cerneret diem mortis suæ, vocavit filium suum Joseph, et dixit ad eum : Si inveni gratiam in conspectu tuo, pone manum tuam sub femore meo : et facies mihi misericordiam et veritatem, ut non sepelias me in Ægypto :
30but I will sleep with my fathers, and take me away out of this land, and bury me in the sepulchre of my ancestors. To whom Joseph answered: I will do that thou hast commanded.but I wil sleepe with my fathers, and take me away out of this land, and burie me in the sepulchre of my ancesters. To whom Ioseph answered: I wil doe that thou hast commanded.sed dormiam cum patribus meis, et auferas me de terra hac, condasque in sepulchro majorum meorum. Cui respondit Joseph : Ego faciam quod jussisti.
31And he said: Swear then to me. Who swearing, Israel adored God, turning to the bed's toward the head of the bed: for the same unpointed Hebrew word St. Paul (Heb. 11:21) reads *the top of his rod/staff*; see the annotation · Vulgate: ad lectuli caput.And he said: Sweare then to me. Who swearing, Israel adored God, turning to the beds head.Et ille : Jura ergo, inquit, mihi. Quo jurante, adoravit Israël Deum, conversus ad lectuli caput.
Annotations
47:22Saving the land of the Priests. Let them hear which now live (saith St. Chrysostom) what great care men had in times past of the priests of idols: and let them learn at least to yield like honour to true priests, to whom the ministry of all divine offices is committed. For if the Egyptians, in their respects, had so great care of Idols, thinking them to be more honoured, if their law-ministers were respected, how great condemnation do they not deserve, that now diminish that, which pertaineth to the provision of priests? Do ye not know that the honour pertaineth to God himself? Regard not therefore him to whom the honour is exhibited. For it is not for his cause to whom thou doest it, but for his sake whose priest he is, that of him thou mayest abundantly receive rewards. Wherefore he said: He that shall do it to one of these, hath done it to me: and He that receiveth a prophet, in the name of a prophet, shall receive the reward of a prophet. Will our Lord reward thee according to the worthiness or means of his ministers? According to thine own alacrity, he either crowneth or condemneth. &c. I say not this for the priests' sakes, but for yours, desiring to gain you in all things. For in lieu of that little you give, you shall receive immortal rewards, and unspeakable good. Let us consider these things, and haste to serve them, not looking upon the cost, but upon the gain, and increase that riseth thereof. &c. For whatsoever you bestow upon God's priests, he accounteth it as bestowed on himself. And he that so bestoweth, shall not only receive like retribution, but manifold greater: our merciful God, always of the abundance of his mercy, exceeding the things which are done by us. Let us not therefore be worse than infidels, who for the error of idols gave so much to their servants; for how much error and truth do differ, so much difference is there, between theirs and God's Priests. Thus much and something more writeth St. Chrysostom upon this place.
47:22Priests. The Hebrew word Cohen is here universally translated Priests, in all languages and Editions: which (Genesis 41:45 [print: chap. 40]) some translate Prince: and more probably (2 Kings 8, last verse) where David's sons are called Cohenim: who were indeed Princes, and not properly Priests. But in this present place it signifieth those, to whom Pharao allowed particular provision in the time of dearth, which is understood of Priests, and not of Princes.
47:30I will sleep with my fathers. Albeit neither the lack of burial, nor any cruelty nor contumely used against dead bodies, can annoy the just, for that (sith men's bodies can afterwards do them no more harm) yet it is both a natural debt, and a spiritual comfort and profit, to be buried in special places, where their own friends, or holy persons are buried, or where God is more specially served, Sacrifice, and other prayers offered. And so both Jacob and Joseph desired to rest in the land of Chanaan, where their parents were buried, and where Christ should be born and redeem mankind. But worldly pomp and honour of funerals, are rather the comfort of the living, than the relief of the departed, as St. Augustine teacheth, in Psalm 115. For in the sight of men, a troop of servants (saith the same St. Augustine lib. 1. c. 13 de civitate Dei) made solemn and glorious exequies for the rich glutton, that was clothed in silk, and fared delicately in his life, but in the sight of God, the Angels' ministry far more excellent to poor Lazarus, though they carried not his body into a marble tomb, but his soul into Abraham's bosom.
47:31To the bed's head. St. Paul alleging this place saith: Jacob adored the top of (Joseph) his rod, following the Septuagint, who for the same Hebrew word (being without points, that is, without vowels) in this place (say, rod or staff) and in the next chapter (v. 2) interpret bed. For Mattes signifieth a rod, and Mitta a bed. The Latin therefore translating bed, as the Hebrew is pointed, and the Septuagint, and St. Paul reading rod, both are true, and both together express the whole action, that Jacob taking Joseph's rod into his hand, and turning to the bed's head, leaned on the top of the rod, and adored not only God, Lord and giver of all good, but also his son Joseph now the chief ruler and Prince of Egypt, as St. Augustine expoundeth, q. 162 in Gen. And herein (St. Chrysostom ho. 66) Joseph's dream was fulfilled, that the sun, and moon should adore him. The like saith Theodoret (q. 108 in Gen.) And Procopius addeth that Jacob adoring Joseph's rod, adored also Christ's kingdom, prefigured by the same rod. But how adoration of creatures redoundeth to the honour of God, more is noted upon the said place of St. Paul. Heb. 11.