Prof. Yehudah Elitzur, from Bar-Ilan University in Israel, has an interesting take on the relationship of Joseph to his brothers, and of the "bad report". He notes that these ancient family structures were far more militaristic and strict than modern atomic families, and that within a huge clan such as Jacob's, there were many "ranks", with higher ranks having significant power over lower ranks. We see the same thing in the Muslim harems of modern times, where wives of higher rank command the wives of lower rank, and their sons become the superior officers, commanding the lower ranked sons, when the time for battle came. Which, in those times, could be quite often indeed. It is hard for us to imagine a family that is a military unit, but the text of the bible is quite clear about this. Very often, we hear of patriarchs summoning their clan for warfare. Without a governing state, the family became a military organisation. In this context, Prof. Elitzur suggests, the "coat of many colors", and the fact that Joseph was bringing Jacob formal reports, indicate a superior rank in the hierarchy of the family. Note that the report concerns the sons of the concubines, who would considered little better than slaves in Muslim hareems of the modern era. When we read that Joseph was hated because he dreamed of being above them all in rank, and subsequently was favoured by Jacob, we ought to read the fact that he was considered a higher rank, a prince amongst his people, and that their hatred was partly a matter of political ambition. It was not simply childish envy of a favoured equal. Joseph was in a position to command them, and if he was removed, they would be promoted in the clan hierarchy. In this context, the overall story of Joseph seems to reinforce the idea that families will either have an orderly structure, else they will fall to intercene bloodshed and ruin. The great miracle of Joseph is surely that he did not have his brothers put to death, when he became able to do so. Instead, he deemed it god's will that they behaved as they did, as it brought him indirectly to his exalted station in Egypt. Alexander the Great, and the Caesars of Rome, were never as merciful and pious. They were brutal with their rivals, and exacted cruel revenge on those who they felt had betrayed them. Joseph rules with reason and mercy, and compassion. He is a very special character, even more so for barbaric times in which his story is set. Even King David was not as pious and wise as Joseph, perhaps.
Thanks Bruce very nicely described this account. I had studied it some weeks ago. The family dynamics would have been incredible. Step families today are complex but imagining all mothers and 12 young men living together with their masculine development and their competion between mother groups etc. Wow the mind boggles. And as you pointed out. In the back of all the human stuff is the guidance of Yehweh to achieve his purpose. Same for us today. I enjoyed it thanks.
Thank you
Prof. Yehudah Elitzur, from Bar-Ilan University in Israel, has an interesting take on the relationship of Joseph to his brothers, and of the "bad report". He notes that these ancient family structures were far more militaristic and strict than modern atomic families, and that within a huge clan such as Jacob's, there were many "ranks", with higher ranks having significant power over lower ranks.
We see the same thing in the Muslim harems of modern times, where wives of higher rank command the wives of lower rank, and their sons become the superior officers, commanding the lower ranked sons, when the time for battle came. Which, in those times, could be quite often indeed.
It is hard for us to imagine a family that is a military unit, but the text of the bible is quite clear about this. Very often, we hear of patriarchs summoning their clan for warfare. Without a governing state, the family became a military organisation.
In this context, Prof. Elitzur suggests, the "coat of many colors", and the fact that Joseph was bringing Jacob formal reports, indicate a superior rank in the hierarchy of the family. Note that the report concerns the sons of the concubines, who would considered little better than slaves in Muslim hareems of the modern era.
When we read that Joseph was hated because he dreamed of being above them all in rank, and subsequently was favoured by Jacob, we ought to read the fact that he was considered a higher rank, a prince amongst his people, and that their hatred was partly a matter of political ambition. It was not simply childish envy of a favoured equal. Joseph was in a position to command them, and if he was removed, they would be promoted in the clan hierarchy.
In this context, the overall story of Joseph seems to reinforce the idea that families will either have an orderly structure, else they will fall to intercene bloodshed and ruin.
The great miracle of Joseph is surely that he did not have his brothers put to death, when he became able to do so. Instead, he deemed it god's will that they behaved as they did, as it brought him indirectly to his exalted station in Egypt. Alexander the Great, and the Caesars of Rome, were never as merciful and pious. They were brutal with their rivals, and exacted cruel revenge on those who they felt had betrayed them.
Joseph rules with reason and mercy, and compassion. He is a very special character, even more so for barbaric times in which his story is set.
Even King David was not as pious and wise as Joseph, perhaps.
Thanks Bruce very nicely described this account. I had studied it some weeks ago. The family dynamics would have been incredible. Step families today are complex but imagining all mothers and 12 young men living together with their masculine development and their competion between mother groups etc. Wow the mind boggles. And as you pointed out. In the back of all the human stuff is the guidance of Yehweh to achieve his purpose. Same for us today. I enjoyed it thanks.
When did Joseph's mother now to him? Was it a literal or figurative statement?
Paul a Disciple Joseph’s mother was dead. He did have step-mothers.
@@GoreBruce thank you
Thank you for the message pertaining to Joseph. It is a love hate relations in the Jacob's family members professor Gore.
Thanks for lectures, very informative. However, was Joseph a virgin before his Royal wedding?
Leon Noel Is there evidence that he wasn’t?