Jacob was angry at these violent proceedings, feared retaliation, and was directed by God to remove, which be did to Ephrath, where Rachel died in childbirth of Benjamin. Jacob then resumed his wan derings until he at length came to his father Isaac, at Mature near Hebron ; and sixteen years after Isaac died, aged 180, and was buried by his sons, Jacob and Esau.
While living at Memre the earlier incidents of the life of Joseph begin, and it will be better to give them in connection with the remaining years of Jacob. On the death of Isaac, Esau probably sue ceeded to his share of property as eldest son, no mention being made of any discontent on his part, and he returned to the land of Seir, the separate possessions of Jacob being already very great. The sons of Jacob, except the youngest, were of course employed in tending the flocks and herds, but Joseph, who was the father's favourite, was probably only thus employed occasionally, and "he brought unto his father" the "evil report" of his brethren. This, and the finer dress which had been given him, excited their animosity, which was increased by the relation of Joseph's dreams of the sheaves, and of the sun, moon, and stars, all predicting his supremacy. They therefore, on another visit to them in the fields, bound him, cast him into a pit, and sold him to some Midianitish merchants, taking home "the coat of many colours," and informing their father that no doubt his favourite son had been devoured by wild beasts. Joseph was carried to Egypt, became a slave in Potiphar's house, resisted the seductions of Potiphar's wife, was cast into prison, there explained the dreams of the baker and butler of Pharaoh, and was at length sent for to tell and explain the dreams of the Egyptian king. Having done this, foretelling the years of plenty and of famine, he was set over all the land of Egypt as the most fitting person to guard againt the evil consequences of the calamities he foresaw. Joseph was at this time thirty years old ; his name was changed, and he married a daughter of Poti-pherab, priest of On, by whom he had Manasseh and Ephraim. During the years of plenty he had laid up large stores of earn, and when the years of dearth arrived the corn was sold to the Egyptians and to strangers, for "the famine was sore in all lands," no doubt to the great profit of the king. The famine extended to Canaan, and Jacob was compelled
to send his ten sons to buy corn in Egypt, but he retained his youngest and now favourite son Benjamin, the last supposed relic of his beloved Rachel. Joseph knew his brothers on their arrival, but did not discover himself. He questioned them roughly as to who they were, and on being told they were twelve brethren, one man's sons, of whom the youngest was at home, " and one is not," he insisted on their pro. clueing their younger brother, and kept Simeon as a hostage for his forthcoming. He then filled their sacks, putting into each sack the money that had been paid for it. On their return to their father they related their story, but Jacob would not part with Benjamin, until the famine rendered another supply of food imperative. On their return to Joseph he feasted them in his house, distinguishing Benjamin by the largeness of his mess, and on their proposed return framed a charge of theft against Benjamin, by placing a cup in his sack. Judah proposed to become bondsman in order to release Benjamin, after a touching recital of what would be the grief of their aged parent if his youngest son were detained. On this Joseph discovered himself, and ultimately sent for his father. Jacob was almost overcome with the intelligence. He said, "it is enough ; Joseph my son is yet alive : I will go and see him before I die." He took his departure with all his family and possessions, and they were settled in the land of Goshen. Here after residing seventeen years, Jacob died, B.c. 1846, aged 197, and was buried by Joseph in the burial-place of the family at Machpelah in Cannel". Joseph returned to Egypt, and survived his father fifty-four years, dying at the age of 110, and " waa put in a coffin in Egypt," having exacted an oath that the children of Israel "shall carry up my bones from hence," which was accordiogly done when Moses conducted the nation into the wilderness on their way to tho Promised Land.