Egypt, Enslavement

Joseph is a model of wisdom. In one story, however, where it is told how Joseph acquired all Egyptians and their land for Pharaoh (Gen 47:13–26), readers can only wonder whether his conduct is really held up as an example. As it seems, the Torah uses this story to teach an important lesson: wisdom is good, but it is to be channeled by the law.

Egyptian artists depicted their northern Levantine neighbors as prisoners or warriors being smitten, as dignitaries presenting tribute, and even as slaves working on royal building projects. This gives us a glimpse of what Levantines looked like in this period from an Egyptian perspective, including, perhaps, those who later identified as Israelites.

19th century Anglo-Jewish translators defended the Israelites’ behavior against the King James translation’s perceived accusation that the Jews “borrowed” the Egyptians belongings and never returned them.

Three distinct themes in Parashat Vayetzei are intertwined: Jacob’s encounter with God at Bethel, the birth of Jacob’s sons, and Jacob’s departure from Haran. 

Divergent Biblical Perspectives: Exodus 12:40 declares that the Israelites were in Egypt for 430 years. Other biblical contexts suggest a much shorter sojourn in Egypt.

Egyptian sources shed light on the nature of the work described in the Torah.