5. (13) Zebulun: A haven for ships.
“Zebulun shall dwell by the haven of the sea;
He shall become a haven for ships,
And his border shall adjoin Sidon.”
a. Zebulun:
Jacob now skipped the birth order, moving to the tenth-born and ninth-born
sons, but keeping his focus on the sons born of Leah.
i. The tribe of Zebulun was noted
for its faithfulness to David, supplying the largest number of soldiers to
David’s army of any single tribe: Of Zebulun there were fifty thousand who
went out to battle, expert in war with all weapons of war, stouthearted men who
could keep ranks (1 Chronicles 12:33).
b. He
shall become a haven for ships: The tribe of Zebulun seems to have settled
the piece of land sitting between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee.
Literally, shall dwell by the haven of the sea
can be translated looking towards the sea. Zebulun did look to the sea,
both to the east and west.
12. (5th Son) Zebulun - House of Lancaster -Henry IV- etc; AD 1399 to 1471
Zebulun's blessing:
"ZEBULUN SHALL DWELL AT THE HAVEN OF THE SEA".
A "haven of the sea" is a shelter, harbour, or an inlet of the sea where ships may lie.
In this "haven" Zebulun"shall" (certainly) "dwell" (or delay and linger or to sojourn as a traveller in a foreign land).
Zebulun's lineage under the crown of England became the "house of Lancaster", or the house that began in Lancashire, in Northern England. Which today we know as "Merseyside" whose capital is Liverpool.
Which of us living today have not heard of Liverpool? Who's very name conjures up "ships".
The mouth of the Mersey River where ships anchor from high seas and stormy weather has the docks of Birkenhead on one side, and Liverpool on the other. Apart from London, Liverpool is the largest port for ships in the Isles. It receives ships from all over the world each day in its working life. More than 20 ships pass in and out of its "haven". The life of the city of Liverpool has revolved around ships, merchants and shipping. Who came into world-wide prominence some 250 years ago as the "hub of ships".
Zebulun's first king was Henry IV of the "House of Lancaster", and this title originated in an involved way. History tells us that the dynasty began in 1267, when Henry III conferred the title of Earl of Lancaster upon his second son Edmund Crouchback (AD 1245-96). Then Edmund's grandson became Henry of Lancaster. Afterwards, Edmund's daughter Blanche married the 4th son of Edward III, called John of Gaunt. Through this marriage in 1362, John was made Duke of Lancaster, thus, the name was established as the name of a royal house. So, Blanche and John of Gaunt's son Henry IV, named Boling Brooke - became king of England in 1399 until 1413, and of course Zebulun's son took his place as the third toe of the foot or horn of the "house of Israel" under the crown of England.
Zebulun's blessing from Genesis 49:13 says: and "he" shall "be" for an haven of ships. The words have altered slightly from, Zebulun shall "dwell" at the haven of ships. The words have now become "personal", for it is now saying,- this man "shall" take on a "responsibility" for the sea and it's havens,- of not only of Liverpool etc: and Lancaster, but something else in the world of fact. The only way the man of Zebulun could control these "havens of the sea", and it's ships, is to be a ruler and able to command all situations. Therefore, the son of the "House of Lancaster" would become King in the last days, namely England, whose shores had many "havens" for the sea and ships.
Henry IV became king, but it was his father John of Gaunt, who laid the foundation stones for Zebulun/Henry's race for the crown to inherit. We must therefore look at John of Gaunt first.
John of Gaunt was born in Ghent (Belgium) hence his name. Through his marriages he became "King of Castile and Leon (Spain), Duke of Lancaster, Earl of Derby, Lincoln and Leicester, Lord of Beaufort, Constable of Chester, and other very impressive titles indeed! His son and grandsons would be preoccupied to claim some of these titles, and for Zebulun's lineage to inherit his lot.
John of Gaunt virtually ruled England during the last years of his father's reign, that of Edward III, also ruling during the first years of Richard II's reign.
The vast Lancastrian estates in England and Wales John inherited through his first wife Blanche -who died 1369.
In 1371 he married Constance of Castile, and in 1386 laid claim to the Kingship of Castile and Leon in Spain, which failed.
John's daughter however was later to be married to King Henry III of Castile and Leon.
John's second wife Constance died in 1394, and 2 years later John married Catherine Swynford, whose children were to bear the name Beaufort. John of Gaunt died in 1399.
Now the stage is "set" for Henry IV to make his run for the title of the Duke of Lancaster.
What of the last expression from Genesis 49:13, "His border shall be unto Zidon"?
These few words are going to "cement" God's wonderful intricate work in history, and all will show the ever-weaving web of the hidden things of "His" Law, which "He" accomplishes, in secular and spiritual history!
Henry Bolingbrooke returned to England from France, to claim his inheritance of the estates of Lancaster from Richard II. Who was then King of England, and who had confiscated John of Gaunt's estates under the crown. John of Gaunt had been the wealthiest landowner in England and a leading aristocrat.
Henry was banished for life and the great Lancaster estates taken. Nevertheless Henry returned to England from his exile in France, with an army to claim his father's inheritance. But his ambitions got the better of him and claimed the English throne instead in 1399. Though his lineage for the crown was scrutinised by France and others, who claimed he was a usurper of the English throne. Who had no "rights" through his lineage, Henry claimed them through his descent from King Henry III who ruled 1216-72.
History tells us that Henry IV was manly, capable, and had agreeable qualities of mercy. When Henry IV came to the English throne he also embarked on the run for the throne of Castile and Leon of Spain, through his father John of Gaunt, which dangerously exalted his ideas.
The mention of Spain, with John of Gaunt claiming to be the King of Castile and Leon, now gives us the beginning of the explanation for the word, Zidon or Sidon, for the "last days" written in Genesis 49:13.
However, the position in ancient history of Zidon in the Old Testament, was on the sea coast of Canaan which became synonymous with Phoenicia, and the sea faring Phoenicians. The territory allotted of the tribes of Asher and Zebulun were near Tyre and Zidon. Though it was to Asher's land that the boundary actually reached Zidon, and not Zebulun's (Joshua 19).
Because we are dealing with the "last days" and Zebulun, all these ancient boundaries have changed, and prophecy now ties Zebulun to Zidon rather than Asher. Which now brings us back to Spain during the 14th and 15th centuries, which time zones we are dealing with from prophecy.
Our next question is "why" call Spain Zidon?
It is to the adventurous Phoenicians we must go, because they left their ancient cities in the Middle East and sailed through the Pillars of Hercules, -which straddled Gibraltar and North Africa. At the opening of the Mediterranean- beyond which lay mystery. Spain was then the Western limit, of the ancient world, and the Phoenicians traded, with the ancient Celts and Iberians of Spain, eventually setting up colonies.
History tells us that Phoenician colonisation of Spain, from Tyre an Zidon (Lebanon) was approx: 1100 BC some scholars say from 880 BC. They, being attracted by the trade of metals. They founded colonies in Spain named, Cadiz, Villarius, Adra, Atmunecar, Malaga, etc; Fishing was put into practice along the entire Southern Coast of Spain, then they went in land for agriculture.
The Carthaginians, -who were part of the Phoenician family,- also took over the resources of Spain from the 6th to the 3rd centuries BC Gades and Cartagena were settled by men from the Phoenician city of Carthage in North Africa.
The Romans taking Spain from Carthage during the Punic Wars, (Punic meaning Phoenician language etc;).
It is interesting to note that echoes of the name Sidon (Zidon) lingered into the 16th century history, when the Spanish Armada set sail to fight England during the Elizabethan era, (1588 AD) which was commanded by the Duque de Medina-Sidonia.
If we now go back to Jacob's blessing to Zebulun in Genesis 49:13 we read it says, -"that Zebulun is an haven of ships, and his border shall be unto Zidon".- Because of the resettlement of the Phoenicians, within Spain. In the "last days" it is called Zidon; because Phoenician genetics and bloodline is left, and lives strongly there. Though Zidon/Spain itself, played a large part in Israel's/British history, both ancient and modern, Jacob's blessing however does not give Zidon as a "haven of ships" to Zebulun, but only as "far" as Zidon's "border". Therefore, Zebulun's birthright/blessing goes from the seas of Lancaster, and around the Isles where the crown reigned, to the "havens of the seas" of France. Then the "border" of that empire stopping at Spain/Zidon. The "border" being only a line or exterior limit of a country.
So, though John of Gaunt of the "House of Lancaster" claimed to be king of Leon and Castile of Spain, through marriage, it was an empty title of desire and not fact.
So, Zebulun's"haven of ships" stopped within the Bay of Biscay, which straddled the "border" of Spain and France. Leaving France with it's many "havens of ships" to be included within Zebulun's blessing. Some of those "havens" were St. Nazaire, Brest, Cherbourg, Le Havre, Dieppe, Calais, etc:
Let us now return to Zebulun's kings under the crown of England and Henry IV.
Henry was born in Lincolnshire England in 1367, when he became a man he was short, stocky with auburn hair, he was ambitious and had spasms of material success, but spiritual defeat. He was always guilt ridden usurping the throne of England from Richard II. It troubled him much when ailing from Leprosy, which to his spirit was judgement upon him by God. Though later his Leprosy seemed to be a skin disease etc;
Henry IV had married Mary Bohun, one of the heiresses of the Earl of Hereford.
Henry's reign opened with murder, the plague, and the revolt of the Welsh, led by Owen Glyndowr. He passed a law which brought about religious persecution in it's most cold-blooded form.
It seems that Henry IV's own life had been a true ship within himself, as Zebulun's"blessing" from Jacob portrays. Indeed, his life was full of embarking and disembarking in many forms, shipping huge waves in the tempest of his life.
During his lifetime he sailed or journeyed to France and Spain. His first journey had taken him on a kind of crusade with the Teutonic Knights against the Lithuanians, who were mostly pagans.
He went to Danzig in Germany, and on to Vilna, where he took part in a siege.
His travel took him through the European Kingdoms and states, then returning to England.
In 1392, he was off again to Palestine travelling by way of Prague, Vienna, and Venice, spending Christmas in the Adriatic. He had been to Rhodes, Jaffa, and Jerusalem, Cyprus and Venice etc;
Henry IV had dealings with the kings of Constantinople and the Turks, Abyssinia, Cyprus and Timur, and so it went on.
Henry's reign they say, did not gain much progress despite his many comings and goings, instead, his reign marked "uncertainty" in it's wake.
The seas around Britain had brought renewed piracy around the coasts.
The Welsh, Scots, and French had invaded into the trade of England, which dried up, flowing only through Calais.
Henry was foretold of his fate by a soothsayer, that he would die at Jerusalem. So because he stayed in England he felt that his life was safe. Upon a visit to Westminster Abbey in 1413 he became ill and had a seizure, he was taken into a room called "Jerusalem", and before he died the name of the room was told to him, he then knew his end had come!
Henry IV's son, Henry V, followed his father on the throne of England; These were the years of practising witchcraft, and a time in England when mercy to a human being was in short supply. Murder and civil war was inevitable, the nobles had little else to do but fight each other.
Nevertheless, for all that Henry IV had been called pious. His son Henry V, with his complex character, was called a leader worthy of England.
Henry V reigned 1413-1422 AD a hero in his lifetime and a legend after his death.
Henry V was immortalised by William Shakespeare in the 16th century, whose fame was of his military campaigns.
Historians say, his nature was mild as a dove but a lion when provoked, who was chivalrous and just.
Henry V was born at Monmouth being the eldest son of Henry IV, who quarrelled repeatedly with his father.
His burning ambition was the conquest of France, reviving Edward III's claim to the French throne, he invaded France in 1415 AD. At that time France was weakened by civil war. Henry however winning his famous victory over greater superior forces at Agincourt, with his outstanding fighting men, and the Welsh long bow, thereby reducing Northern France.
In 1417, again Henry returned to France with a larger army, and his military successes etc; forced the French to sign the Treaty of Troyes (1420). Whereupon Henry married the French, Charles VI daughter, Catherine of Valois, claiming the French throne, and was recognised as heir to the throne of France.
Henry V's gains of the "havens of the sea" of France were short lived, because he died of dysentery at Vincennes in 1422.
Charles VI of France also died within weeks of Henry's death so the infant son of Henry V of England also became the King of France.
The victory of Agincourt had made Henry V the supreme ruler in Europe, winning him his empire.
(We must note here, that Normandy fell first to Henry V, which Normandy was the "key" to France; Which we will read of throughout biblical prophecy, when Normandy is mentioned time and time again, starting with William the Conqueror).
Henry VI (1422-71) was a little babe of 9 months old when he became Henry VI of England and France. Then, Zebulun's"birthright" saw complete fulfilment ruling the "havens of the seas" from England to France and on -to the "border" of Zidon-Spain.
Henry VI's story stands out in English history for many reasons, he was the youngest person ever to succeed to the crown; and reigned for a longer period on the English throne than most sovereigns. He was the only person ever to be crowned King of both England and France. He was displaced twice from the throne, as a prisoner in the Tower of London, and then restored again. He died when quite elderly in mysterious circumstances. It is said as a king he was a failure.
Henry VI had married Margaret of Anjou (France) in 1445, who was entirely under her influence because his piousness with a love for learning and periods of insanity. During Henry's long reign he had a son Edward, who was eventually killed during the times of battles between the Lancastrians and Yorkists, of the "War of the Roses".
Poor Henry VI never knew his father having died when he was so young. He hardly ever saw his mother Catherine of Valois. She was only 21 years old when her husband Henry V died. But, she became the grandmother of the Tudor dynasty.
All one can sum up of Henry VI's reign is that it was full of turmoil, whose reign degenerated into 30 years of civil war, and the loss of the French possessions.
With Henry VI's death, so ended "Zebulun's birthright" inheriting the crown of England, and the "house of Israel" also. With that crown was now to pass to Issachar.
It is interesting to note that because Zebulun's"birthright" was placed in lineage as the 5th son of Jacob/Leah - instead of 6th son - in Genesis 49. He "usurped" his hereditary place in Israel, which place should have gone to Issachar In secular history, the same thing happened under Israel's crown of England. The "house of York"/Issachar, was "usurped" by the "house of Lancaster" hence the "War of the Roses". The "house of York" claimed it's hereditary right from Lionel, second son of Edward III, whereas the "house of Lancaster's" claim was from John of Gaunt, 4th son of Edward III.
With Zebulun's"birthright/blessing" fulfilled in secular and spiritual history in such a complex way, one must stand back in awe at the intricate marvellous way God works within mankind. "He" brought nations into line to fulfil prophecy. Women were brought forward for spiritual lineages to work and men for secular lineages to work. Their children fulfilling words written long ago. Those first, second, third children, etc; by birth, each carrying separate and certain types of genetic makeup to fulfil prophecy in their different individual ways.
No matter how many times man interfered in this work, with his own ambitions, God reorganised the situations to fit those words of prophecy, spoken centuries ago.
God set the stage for each son of Israel's children to inherit according to prophecy in secular history. It seems to us that the crown of England was handed down from proper lineages, from father to son, or cousin to cousin, etc; inheriting only under relationships, being a family affair. This result is more than correct! Because, the tribes of Israel are within these people, and they also were full brothers, half brothers or cousins inheriting prophecy in the same manner.
Many nations and peoples were used to amalgamate Israel's children into one body of peoples in the Isles.
Understanding prophecy correctly makes a whole complex picture emerge, thereby, knowing that man can no longer say, "there is no God"! But rather "indeed" God rules in the kingdoms of men! (Daniel 4:17).
It's no wonder the prophets of old spoke of this awesome "marvellous work" of God's in history with such pride and faith on "His" behalf. (Job 5:8,9, Isaiah 29:13,14).
The Tribe of Zebulun
The Blessings
Jacob's Blessing - Genesis 49:13
"Zebulun shall dwell toward the seashore; And he shall be a haven for ships, And his flank shall be toward Sidon."
Moses Blessing - Deuteronomy 33:18
"Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going forth."
This tribe received their tribal allotment in the third division of the land by Joshua. This took place in Shiloh, after the victory at the Waters of Merom.
This division of land also accommodated the northern tribes of Naphtali, Asher and Issachar. The tribes of Simeon, Dan and Benjamin had been left out of the division of the land at Gilgal (the second division), thus they too received an inheritance at Shiloh. The first division of tribes took place after the defeat of Og and Sihon in the Transjordan.
The
nature of the borders are unclear. Contradicting reports are handed
down to us from antiquity. The confusion stems from two sources; Jacob's
Blessing above, and the writings of Josephus in Jewish Antiquities.
Click on a link below to visit that section of this page.
Click on a link below to visit that section of this page.
The Tribe in Prophecy
Not only are the reports we have a bit vague and uncertain, many of the cities listed in Scripture have locations which are uncertain or unknown. These factors combine to create a rather hazy picture of the precise nature of its boundaries.
Not only are the reports we have a bit vague and uncertain, many of the cities listed in Scripture have locations which are uncertain or unknown. These factors combine to create a rather hazy picture of the precise nature of its boundaries.
Jacob
ascertains the boundaries reach to the shores of the sea. He does not
state whether this be the Sea of Galilee or the Mediterranean Sea. What
Jacob does specify is that they shall be a haven for ships, implying the tribe will benefit from the sea in someway.
Josephus makes a similar claim in Jewish Antiquities, Book 5, Chapter 1. Josephus, however, mentions two bodies of water which belonged to Zebulun.
"The tribe of Zebulun's lot included the land which lay as far as the Lake of Genesaret, and that which belonged to Carmel and the sea."
If one were to base their assumptions on these two passages, it would seem the tribe clearly dwelt by the sea. However, the Biblical description in Joshua 19 fails to mention anything whatsoever about the sea, or the Lake of Galilee.
The
description throughout the rest of Scripture clearly indicates the
tribe's boundaries were landlocked. According to the land description in
Joshua 19:10-16, the tribe was bordered on all sides by other of the 12 tribes of Israel.
Another cause of confusion may be the English translation of the word "at". The King James Version, along with the New American Standard, translates Jacob's Blessing as saying; "Zebulun shall dwellat the seashore" (underline added).
Other versions translate this phrase as reading; "Zebulun shall dwell toward the seashore". Each of the two translations imply something different, hence the cloudiness surrounding the exact boundary.
The Biblical description is found in Joshua 19:10-16. The first two verses (vs. 10-11) describe the tribe's western border.
"Now the third lot came up for the sons of Zebulun according to their families. And the territory of their inheritance
was as far as Sarid. Then their border went up to the west and to
Maralah, it then touched Dabbesheth, and reached to the brook that is
before Jokneam."
Interestingly,
two of the three cities mentioned, Dabbesheth and Maralah, have
locations which are unknown, or uncertain at best. Some have associated
Dabbesheth with Dabsheh.
This city, however, is to the northeast of Cabul, which would seem to rest outside the boundaries assigned by Scripture to the tribe. The location of Jokneam is known. This city lay to the southwest of the Kishon River.
Jokneam defines the western front according to Joshua. It is one of the southernmost cities of Zebulun as well. Verses 12-13 list the eastern border of the tribe. Many of the cities mentioned in these two verses remain buried under the sands of time, yet a few have surfaced for identification.
"Then
it turned from Sarid to the east toward the sunrise as far as the
border of Chisloth-tabor, and it proceeded to Daberath and up to Japhia.
And from there it continued eastward toward the sunrise to Gath-hepher,
to Eth-kazin, and it proceeded to Rimmon which stretches to Neah."
The cities mentioned in verse 12 lie on a west-east axis. The location of Japhia does not seem to align with the cities as they are mentioned in Scripture.
From
Sarid to Daberath is a true eastern axis, yet then Scripture seems to
backtrack north and west to Japhia. Japhia is just one of the cities which remains hidden within Zebulun's borders. This must be kept in mind when reading the Scripture accounts.
Many of the landmarks and cities
mentioned have yet to be identified. If one attempts to interpret
Biblical geography based on what is known today, at times the picture
painted can be a murky and muddy one which seems to make no sense.
Archaeology
has unearthed many of the names and places mentioned throughout the
Bible, yet many more remain hidden, just as many sites in the Holy Land
remain un-excavated.
Verse
thirteen begins the northern border. The locations of Eth-kazin and Neah
are uncertain. Gath-hepher and Rimmon, however, have been identified.
Gath-hepher lie almost in the center of Rimmon to the north, and
Daberath to the south.
As
depicted on the city map by the red and yellow dotted lines, the
boundaries to the east and north take on a different shape according to
whichever theory one prescribes to. The bottom line is these boundary
allocations are simply not known for certain.
Verse fourteen concludes the boundary description. Verse fifteen simply states cities which were found in the interior of the tribe.
"And
the border circled around it on the north to Hannathon, and it ended at
the valley of Iphtahel. Included also were Kattah and Nahalal and
Shimron and Idalah and Bethlehem; twelve cities with their villages."
The
valley of Iphtahel is an interesting site. This ancient site rests at
the crossroads of modern day intersections, which mirror those of the
ancient times as well.
Roads to
Nazareth, Sepphoris, Acre, Tiberias, and the Jezreel Valley branch out
from the valley of Iphtahel. Occupation of man reaches back to the
Neolithic period, from ca. 8,300 B.C. to 4,500 B.C. In Biblical times it
was a strategic location, with numerous wells and springs throughout
the area.
The Biblical site may
have been up to ten times larger than the present site. Excavations have
show Iphtahel possessed thousands of residents in Biblical times.
The site also sat on an important trade route connecting Jokneam to Hannathon
(courtesy Biblewalks.com)
. Thus Scripture seems to indicate the northern boundaries stopped at the valley of Iphtahel.
Wayne
Jackson wrote an interesting article in which he outlined several
different theories regarding the vague and uncertain boundary. H.C.
Leupold and Derek Kidner indicate the text from Jacob's Blessing in Genesis does not specify Zebulun lived on the seashore.
They suggest the grammar of the verse indicates the tribe will live near the seacoast. Both agree the interpretation, as stated above, may read "toward the seashore"
.
Kidner goes one step further, indicating Moses blessing of Zebulun and Issachar state they "shall draw out the abundance of the seas"
.
Their
location close to the sea, both the Sea of Galilee and the
Mediterranean Sea, would provide them with the ability to branch out
into maritime trade. Both tribes were to benefit greatly from sea trade
due to their proximity to the sea, not the fact they actually dwelt on
the seashore.
C.F. Keil agreed with this theory as well. He stated in his book, The Pentateuch, that Jacob's intention was to point out the benefits they would receive "from the situation of its inheritance".
Sharon Pace Jeansonne took Jacob's Blessing in another direction. She states this prophecy may indicate borders during the Solomonic age of Israel.
Under King Solomon, Israel would have occupied the land from the Mediterranean to the Sea of Galilee. I Kings 4:21 gives the expanse of Solomon's kingdom.
"Now
Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River (Euphrates) to the
land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt; they brought tribute
and served Solomon all the days of his life."
(Euphrates added in parenthesis)
Another
theory concerns the migration of the Israelites themselves throughout
all of Canaan. One must recall the census of the New Testament which
drew Joseph and Mary back to Joseph's tribal home. Mary and Joseph seem
to have been living in Nazareth at the time.
The
census required them to travel to their home city, thus Joseph and Mary
traveled to Bethlehem. The reason being Joseph was from the tribe of
Judah.
Bethlehem is located within the tribal allotments of Judah.(Luke 2:1-5). Thus, Israelites were prone to travel and settle outside of their home cities and tribal boundaries.
G.
Ch. Aalders believes shifts in the population may have placed the tribe
at the seashore in later times. This was a common occurrence in
antiquity. Populations shifted frequently due to war, famine, natural
disaster, and other such occurrences.
Scholars
and academia point to the migration patterns described in the Old
Testament, and those unearthed by archaeology during the Old Testament
time period, as the two are very consistent with each other. One example
of this is the narrative of Abraham. His migration into Canaan
describes events which are known to have occurred at the time he is
believed to have lived.
Regardless,
scholars differ as to the interpretation and translation of Jacob's
Blessing. However, all scholars agree the border description in Joshua 19 is vague and uncertain.
Perhaps if cities are unearthed in the future which remain hidden presently, the borders of will be defined with more clarity.
Sephhoris
was an important city of Zebulun in the Old Testament. In fact, some
scholars regard Sepphoris as being the tribe's first city. Sepphoris in
the New Testament was most notable for its proximity to Nazareth.
Though
not mentioned in the city list, and indeed looked down upon by the Jews
of the New Testament, Jesus Christ would make Nazareth the most famous
city on earth.
Aijalon was the
burial place of Elon, one of the Judges of Israel from this tribe.
Josephus made a heroic defense at Jotapata, another city within the
tribal borders.
Mount Tabor was a
very significant mountain in antiquity. It was a holy mountain. It is
quite likely that this tribe, along with Naphtali and Issachar shared a
place of worship on Mount Tabor. These tribes cooperated with each other
and are mentioned in conjunction throughout the Old Testament.
The
Via Maris was an ancient trade route which connected Egypt and Syria,
running along the Mediterranean coastline of Palestine. At Dor, the Via
Maris cut through the Jezreel Valley en route to Damascus.
This
cut through the tribe's land, thus opening them up to a number of
outside influences and threats. These influences seemingly played a role
in the Israelites losing focus of God's call, and mingling with the
foreign gods and pagan religious practices and lifestyles of their
neighbors.
The soil produced an
abundance of olive groves and vineyards. Rich harvests were gathered off
the slopes. The land was well watered by multiple sources.
Zebulun's
land itself was diverse, ranging from rugged mountainous terrain, to
forests and lush valleys. Most of the cities were located in the
highlands, as the Canaanites occupied the cities of the valleys.
The
Plain of Aschosis, which Josephus connects with Cana, was very fertile
and productive. It was in Cana which Jesus turned the water into wine at
the wedding feast.
The Bible
mentions Jesus changed six stone water jugs into wine. Interestingly, a
first century church was discovered in Cana. With the church, precisely
six stone water jugs were unearthed as well. The "coincidence" is
startling.
However, the people dwelt among the Canaanites, as indicated in Judges 1:30.
"Zebulun
did not drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, or the inhabitants of
Nahalol; so the Canaanites lived among them and became subject to forced
labor."
Many scholars
feel it was laziness and unfaithfulness which prevented the Israelites
from driving out the Canaanites. They became complacent, and allowed
local inhabitants to dwell among them. As a result, many Israelites fell
into pagan religious practices, forsaking the God of their fathers.
Just
as the border description is in question, so too are the lists of the
Levitical cities found in Scripture. The Bible has two different
passages concerning the Levitical cities. These passages are found in Joshua 21:34-35 and I Chronicles 6:77, and each list is different.
The first passage is found in Joshua 21:34-35.
"And
to the families of the sons of Merari, the rest of the Levites, they
gave from the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its pasture lands and
Kartah with its pasture lands. Dimnah with its pasture lands, Nahalal
with its pasture lands; four cities."
The second passage is found in I Chronicles 6:77.
"To
the rest of the Levites, the sons of Merari, were given, from the tribe
of Zebulun: Rimmono with its pasture lands, Tabor with its pasture
lands;"
One immediately
notices the lists are not exact. Not only do the lists contain a
different number of cities, but different cities as well. It should be
taken into account the locations of Dimnah and Kartah are not known. The
book of I Chronicles is a very interesting book. Spiros
Zodhiates is a brilliant Biblical scholar. His analysis on the book is
extremely insightful and illuminating.
The name as we know it, I Chronicles, was given by Jerome. Jerome translated the Bible into Latin, the Latin Vulgate. He termed the book I Chronicles.
The Jews knew the book as "the Words of the Days". Tradition has it
Ezra himself wrote the book. The Books of Chronicles are one volume in
the Hebrew Bible, and they were the last ones as well.
Zodhiates continues to state
"whoever the author was , he had access to many historical archives
which have not been preserved". Thus to discredit the Biblical account
over the seemingly conflicting passages these Levitical cities is to
jump the gun.
As stated above,
populations shifted from time to time. The Books of Chronicles were
written after the Jews returned from the Babylonian Exile.
This was much later than the passage in Joshua.
This fact, coupled with the words of Zodhiates, leave room for both
accounts being accurate. Though perhaps this cannot be proven with
certainty, neither can the opposite.
The
Biblical text leaves little question as to the detail God took with His
people. Though they left Egypt in haste, God quickly organized them
into a cohesive unit. Times were certainly not easy for Moses,
especially early.
However, by
listening to God, and obeying His instructions, the Israelites evolved
into one functioning body. Part of their discipline was in the way they
set and pitch camp around the Tabernacle.
The
Tabernacle was at the center of the Israelite camp. Each tribe had an
assigned section in direct relation to the Tabernacle, which contained
the Ark of the Covenant. God's instructions to Moses and Aaron can be
found in Numbers 2:1-2.
"Now
the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 'The sons of Israel shall
camp, each by his own standard, withe the banners of their fathers
households; they shall camp around the tent of meeting at a distance."
God then proceeded to instruct Moses on the exact location of each
tribe. The overall camp was divided into 4 smaller camps consisting of
three tribes per camp. Each camp was led by a tribe.
The four heads were Judah, Reuben, Ephraim and Dan.
"Then
comes the tribe of Zebulun, and the leader of the sons of Zebulun;
Eliab the son of Helon, and his army, even his numbered men, 57,400."
The tribe fell under the banner of
Judah
, the first tribe mentioned by God to Moses and Aaron. The camp of Judah
was the first to break camp. Their camp encamped on the east side of
the Tabernacle, "towards the sunrise"
.
Scripture
seems to imply a certain honor with this position. Moses and Aaron
camped on the east side of the Tent of Meeting as well, though inside
the Tabernacle compound. The entrance to the Tent faced east, "towards the sunrise"
.
The tribe's camp fell after that of Issachar. All together, the camp of Judah included 186,400 men, according to Numbers 2:9.
They
would have been one of the tribes in the front lines. As will be seen,
the tribe manifested itself bravely on the battlefield in the Old
Testament.
The birth of Jacob's tenth son is recorded in Genesis 30:20.
"Then
Leah said, 'God has endowed me with a good gift; now my husband will
dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons.' So she name him
Zebulun."
He was the
tenth son of Jacob, the sixth and last of Leah. He was born following
Issachar, thus the two tribes were close from the beginning.
Throughout
Scripture one finds him and Issachar interacting with each other.
Tradition has it Issachar studied the Scripture and Law, whilst Zebulun
provided for them through their profitable sea trade enterprises. The
two tribes had a symbiotic relationship, and to this day the phrase
"Issachar and Zebulun" is used to denote such situations.
The name has been interpreted as meaning dwelling, habitation, abiding,
to reside, or to dwell with. The name comes from the root Hebrew word "zabal", which means to inclose, i.e. to reside, dwell.
Leah was sure Jacob would stay with her now, as opposed to Rachel, whom
he had previously kept with. Jacob would be more prone to spend time
with his new young infant son, as well as a young Issachar. The name
represented Leah's joy over Jacob staying with, or residing with her
rather than Rachel.
Other
interpretations exist, based on the Hebrew root the name is believed to
have been derived from. Some claim the name derives from the Hebrew "zabhadh", meaning to bestow.
Yet another claims the name may stem from the root Hebrew "zabhal", which translates to exalt, honor. Regardless, his birth brought a great deal of joy to his mother Leah.
The
name itself appears in ancient documents from Egypt. It appears in the
Egyptian Execration Texts. These texts are two lists from the twentieth
and nineteenth centuries B.C. which describe Pharaoh as seeking to bring
magical powers upon his enemies. Interestingly, the name Job also
appears in these texts. This is not an uncommon occurrence. The name
Benjamin occurs as the name of a tribe in the ancient
Mari Texts
. The names Gad and Dan also appear in these same Mari Texts.
Of
the man nothing in Scripture is mentioned until the names of his
children are given. He was absent in name from the Joseph narrative,
however Targum Pseudo Jonathan claims Joseph presented him first to
Pharaoh upon the arrival of the entire family to Egypt. He would have
been among those brothers that sought to kill Joseph initially.
While
living in Canaan with Jacob and his brothers he bore three sons. These
sons ventured with him into Egypt and are listed in Genesis 46:14.
"And the sons of Zebulun: Sered and Elon and Jahleel."
Numbers 26:26 sheds further light on his family.
"The
sons of Zebulun according to their families: of Sered, the family of
the Seredites; of Elon, the family of the Elonites; of Jahleel, the
family of the Jahleelites. These are the families of the Zebulunites
according to those who were numbered of them, 60,500."
The Tribe
The book of Numbers opens up with a list of the twelve men appointed by God to represent the
twelve tribes of Israel
and assist Moses. These men were the "head of his father's household"
"of Zebulun, Eliab the son of Helon;"
These
men were to stand with Moses, helping and assisting him in governing
the fledgling confederacy, soon to be dynasty. With the help of these
men, Moses and Aaron gathered all of Israel together. Verse eighteen
record what must have been a remarkable sight.
"and
they assembled all the congregation together on the first of the second
month. Then they registered by ancestry in their families, by their
fathers' households, according to the number of names, from twenty years
old and upward, head by head."
These men were truly remarkable men, as they were at the core of forming God's nation and establishing themselves in Canaan. Numbers chapter 7 opens with Moses completing the Tabernacle.
The
tribes were to present offerings in celebration of the event. They
presented these sacrifices in the order of the encampment. The tribe
would have been the third tribe to present an offering, being a part of
the first camp under Judah, and the third allotment within that camp.
Verse twenty-four depicts the representative.
"On the third day it was Eliab the son of Helon, leader of the sons of Zebulun;"
Six
verses later God takes the first census of His people since their
Exodus from Egypt. Each tribe is numbered by their fighting men, men
twenty years of age and older. Each tribe was broken into families,
headed by fathers.
From these
clans, the males twenty years old and upwards were counted. The first
census recorded 57,400 men ready to go to war from the tribe.
Numbers 10
depicts the 12 tribes of Israel as they pack up camp and leave Sinai.
Verse sixteen mentions Eliab and the army of Zebulun breaking camp.
These men would prove to be fierce warriors in future engagements with
the Canaanites of Canaan.
The
standard of Judah was the first division to break camp. This tribe is
listed as third, behind big brother Issachar. It would seem reasonable
this was the order in which the standard of Judah set out.
It
was also the same order in which the sacrifices had been presented in
chapter 7 above. Eliab was the tribal leader at the earliest stages of
Moses leadership. However, it would be another man appointed by Moses to
spy out the land of Canaan. Again, twelve men were chosen, one from
each tribe.
Numbers 13:10 lists the man from Zebulun.
"from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the sons of Sodi;"
This
man, however, would prove unfaithful. Though his name is not mentioned
specifically, he would have been in the majority of spies who felt
Israel had little to no chance to conquer and occupy the land.
Their report stirred up the people; "and all the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron;"
The only two spies to report back faithful were Joshua and Caleb.
Numbers 25 tells of a plague suffered by Israel which claimed 24,000 lives. Immediately after the plague, God instructs Moses and Aaron:
"Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel from twenty years old and upward."
This
was the second census taken by Moses of the Israelites. A census may
seem strange, as God surely knew the number of Israelites present, as
well as every other being on earth. However, perhaps it was simply for
the benefit of His people that such exercises took place.
In
order for Israel to conquer Canaan, they had to operate as one unit in
combat. They were united by the worship of God Almighty, thus had to
learn to function together and cooperate on fundamental levels.
The
practice of assembling the congregation, of camping in specific order,
of breaking camp in specific order, of presenting sacrifices in specific
order, drilled into their minds the idea of unity and oneness.
Though
each tribe was individual in nature, and oftentimes function, God used
this time in the wilderness to form a bond amongst the twelve tribes of
Israel.
In Numbers 26:26-27 the tribe's ancestry and numbers are given.
"The
sons of Zebulun according to their families: of Sered, the family of
the Seredites; of Elon, the family of the Elonites; of Jahleel, the
family of the Jahleelites. These are the families of the Zebulunites
according to those who were numbered of them, 60,500."
Remarkably
the tribe had increased significantly in number over the course of the
sojourn through the wilderness. In the first census, mentioned above,
they numbered 57,400. The men of the tribe increased by 3,100 fighting
males over the forty year journey through the desert!
Thus,
the tribal leaders would have been among those that led the charge into
Canaan. These men were certainly extraordinary men, fighting against
extraordinary foes. The Israelites, however, possessed an extraordinary
God.
Numbers 34
is God's instructions for apportioning the land of Canaan amongst the
Israelites. Interestingly, God instructs them on how to distribute the
land before a single battle had been fought.
All
the Israelites had to do was trust God Almighty, the God of Abraham,
Issac and Jacob, for the war was already won. God told Moses each tribe
was to be represented by one man. That man "shall apportion the land to you for inheritance"
.
Verse twenty-five lists the tribal representative as Elizaphan, the son of Parnach.
The Blessing of Moses is given in Deuteronomy 33.
This blessing is often read in conjunction with the blessing of
Issachar. The two tribes are once again seen in connection in Scripture.
Deuteronomy 33:18-19 gives the blessing of Moses to Zebulun and Issachar.
"And
of Zebulun he said; 'Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going forth, And,
Issachar, in your tents. They shall call peoples to the mountain; There
they shall offer righteous sacrifices; For they shall draw out the
abundance of the seas, And the hidden treasures of the sand.' "
This
is the evidence many of the ancient Rabbi's and modern day scholars use
to indicate the cooperative relationship between these two tribes. They
are a tribe of fierce warriors. They obtain wealth from their proximity
to the sea and sea based trade.
Their
wealth is shared with Issachar, which enables the men of this tribe to
pursue their studies into the Law and other matters of God.
The two tribes would soon come together for battle against heavy odds in Canaan.
During
the time of the Judges Israel constantly went astray. They would become
enslaved, cry out, and God would send them a deliverer. In Judges 4 Israel is said to have been under the yoke of Jabin, the Canaanite king of Hazor.
Scripture
tells us his commander, Sisera, lived in Harosheth-hagoyim. These
cities were in the Jezreel Valley, thus would have involved the tribes
of Naphtali, Issachar, and Zebulun, as well as Asher and perhaps West
Manasseh.
Jabin had nine hundred
iron chariots in his military. These were far superior to the
Israelites. Israel did not possess such equipment in their armed forces.
The sons of Israel were enslaved under Jabin and Sisera for twenty
years. Judges 4:4 names Israel's judge at the time.
"Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time."
Scripture tells she would judge Israel from "under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel"
.
Deborah summoned for a man named Barak, from Naphtali. She informed
Barak God had chosen him to lead the Israelites against Jabin.
"Behold,
the Lord, the god of Israel, has commanded, 'Go and march to Mount
Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from the sons of Naphtali and
from the sons of Zebulun."
The tribe is directly mentioned as
comprising half of the force of Israel. These were fierce warriors, men
of skill on the battlefield. Deborah issued orders to Barak to draw out
Jabin and Sisera's men in the Jezreel Valley, near the Kishon River and
the great city of Megiddo.
Barak and Deborah set out for Kedesh in verse nine. Verse ten is the call to the men of Zebulun from Barak.
"And
Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali together to Kedesh, and ten thousand
men went up with him; Deborah also went up with him."
Engaging
the chariots of Jabin on the open plain would have seemed like suicide
for the Israelites. The chariot had a sure advantage over infantry on
the open plains of the valley floor.
The
Canaanite chariots under Sisera gathered together near the Wadi Kishon
at the summons of Sisera. He was in pursuit of the Israelites, and
Scripture seems to indicate he gathered his men in haste from
Harosheth-hagoyim in verse thirteen.
It was at this moment Deborah called to Barak to issue the battle cry and charge. Verse fifteen relates the outcome.
"And
the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army, with the
edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera alighted from his chariot and
fled away on foot."
Sisera
fled on foot, alighting in the tent of a thought-to-be ally. Sisera
falls asleep, and in verse twenty-one a tent stake is driven through his
head by Jael, Heber the Kenite's wife.
The Song of Deborah is found in Judges 5. This is believed by many scholars to be one of the oldest existing pieces of Hebrew literature in the Bible.
Deborah
praises and criticizes certain of the 12 tribes of Israel. Deborah also
sheds light on the method by which Israel won. Her remarks praise the
tribe's efforts in the engagement. She praises them on two separate
instances. The first is in verse fourteen, and the second is in verse
eighteen.
"...And from Zebulun those who wield the staff of office."
"
This
passage has been interpreted in different ways. Tradition has it this
was a wood or metal instrument used to inscribe upon clay tablets or
papyrus.
One who used such an
instrument would have been a scribe. This verse would seem to indicate,
perhaps, Zebulun produced men of rank and leadership. They were known
for officers. The second mention, in verse eighteen, describes a much
more active tribe.
"Zebulun was a people who despised thier lives, even unto death, And Naphtali also, on the high places of the field."
The
warriors of this tribe, it would seem, fought valiantly and with little
regard for their own lives. They displayed courage and bravery, as well
as leadership. Zebulun and Naphtali led the charge on Jabin's army
under Sisera, displaying faithfulness in the word of the God of
Abraham
, Isaac, and Jacob. It was a great victory for God Almighty and His nation, and a crushing defeat for the Canaanites.
The Song of Deborah gives further insight into the conditions of the battle in verse twenty-one.
"The torrent of Kishon swepth them away, The ancient torrent, the torrent of Kishon. O my soul march on with strength."
God,
in His divinely omnipotent understanding and knowledge, ordained this
battle to take place during the rainy season. The Kishon, thus, would
have been swollen with recent rains.
These
rains, if heavy enough, would produce some flooding in certain areas.
Flooding would have rendered the Canaanite chariots useless.
They
would have been cumbersome, getting stuck in the soggy, muddy and
flooded valley floor. The song of Deborah verifies the above scenario.
Zebulun's
performance was exceptional in this conflict and integral in the
Israelite victory. This fact was not lost on the ancient prophets and
judges of the past. In fact, the tribe was not done participating in
some of the greatest victories of the Old Testament.
The very next chapter in Judges 6 tells of the Midianite oppression of Israel and Gideon's deliverance of God's people.
The tribe once again fought bravely against their Canaanite neighbors. They responded to Gideon's call in verse thirty-five.
"And
he sent messengers throughout Manasseh, and they also were called
together to follow him; and he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and
Naphtali, and they came up to meet them."
Thus the men
of Zebulun once again rallied to rise up in arms against the Canaanite
oppressors. However, God chisels Gideon's army down to three hundred
men, and the men of Zebulun are not mentioned among those that pursued
Midian after defeating them. Those tribes are mentioned in verse
twenty-three.
"And the men of Israel were summoned from Naphtali and Asher and all Manasseh, and they pursued Midian."
Though
it may be presumptuous to say so, it would seem Scripture implies the
men of Zebulun were not in the three hundred of Gideon's army. They were
not involved in the final defeat and pursuit of Midian.
Only the tribes of Naphtali, Asher and Manasseh pursued Midian as recorded in Judges 7:23.
However, they responded to Gideon's call, and may have fought amongst
his 300. Their bravery in battle is certainly not in question.
Nonetheless, the Israelites under Gideon defeated the Midianites that
day in the Jezreel Valley. They battled the Canaanite forces on the
slopes of Moreh and Mount Gilboa, setting the Midianites fleeing the way
they had come. This route would have taken them through Succoth,
Penuel, and Jogbehah, on their way to the capital of Rabbath-Ammon in
the Transjordan.
In Judges 12:11-12 Scripture relates the one judge Zebulun produced in Israel's history.
"Now
Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel after him; and he judged Israel ten
years. Then Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried at Aijalon in the
land of Zebulun."
This is all that is recorded of Elon in
Scripture. He is the only judge the tribe produced. Zebulun's influence
did not end after the reign of the Judges.
They are shown rallying to David's support in I Chronicles 12:33.
"Of
Zebulun, there were 50,000 who went out in the army, who could draw up
in battle formation with all kinds of weapons of war and helped David
with an undivided heart."
This
verse seems to suggest the Zebulunites were versatile warriors, able to
use a variety of weapons and techniques for war. Their loyalty was
unquestionable. Even more, verse forty tells how the tribes of Zebulun,
Naphtali and Issachar bought supplies for the national celebration of
David's kingship.
"Moreover
those who were near to them, even as far as Issachar and Zebulun and
Naphtali, brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and on oxen, great
quantities of flour cakes, fig cakes and bunches of raisins, wine, oil,
oxen and sheep. There was joy indeed in Israel."
Not
only were the men of Zebulun well equipped in weaponry for battle, but
they were well prepared from the abundance of their land. Zebulun was
well stocked with supplies and provisions. Like their father Jacob had
said, they prospered from their many ventures both on land and sea.
Zebulun appears again in II Chronicles 30:11. King Hezekiah restored the Temple worship in Jerusalem, and sent messengers "from Beersheba even to Dan"
to call Israel to Jerusalem for the celebration of the Passover at the
newly restored Temple. Scripture records that much of Israel "laughed them to scorn, and mocked them".
However, verse eleven lists some of the faithful of God's people.
"Nevertheless some men of Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem."
Certain
men from the tribe of Zebulun responded faithfully to the call of
Hezekiah and journeyed to Jerusalem for worship at the Temple.
The tribe of Zebulun finds itself involved in prophetic utterances of the great prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 9:1.
"But
there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier
times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with
contempt but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea,
on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles."
This verse spoke of the birth of Jesus Christ, found in Matthew 4:13-15.
"and
leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the
sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. this was to fulfill what was
spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, ' The land of Zebulun and
the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee
of the Gentiles,"
John
the Baptist had just been taken into custody prior to this passage.
Jesus, thus, withdrew into Galilee in verse twelve. Zebulun witnessed
many of the words and miracles of Jesus Christ, the son of God. Indeed
the land was made glorious by the manifestation of Jesus. As wondrous as
this time must have been, there yet remains more for the tribe of
Zebulun in the age to come.
Revelation 7:8 states that twelve thousand from the tribe of Zebulun will be sealed by God during the Great Day of Tribulation.
Zebulun,
thus, has played an important role throughout the various stages of the
Old Testament and even the New Testament as well. The land of Zebulun
played a critical role in the ministry of Jesus and His disciples.
Scripture
also confirms this tribe will be present in the age to come as well.
Once again, in the New Jerusalem, God will call His people, and those of
all the nations, together under His rule, and the people will stand
united.
Back to Zebulun
Back to the 12 Tribes of Israel
VI. THE TESTAMENT OF ZEBULUN
Concerning compassion and mercy
1. The record of
Zebulun, which he enjoined his children in the hundred and fourteenth
year of his life, thirty-two years after the death of Joseph. And he
said to them: Hearken to me sons of Zebulun, attend to the words of
your father. I am Zebulun, a good gift to my parents. For when I was
born our father was increased very exceedingly, both in flocks and
herds, when with the streaked rods he had his portion. I know not, my
children, that in all my days I have sinned, save only in thought.
Nor do I remember that I have done any iniquity, except the sin of
ignorance which I committed against Joseph; for I screened my
brethren, not telling to my father what had been done. And I wept
sore in secret, for I feared my brethren, because they had all agreed
together, that if any one should declare the secret, he should be
slain with the sword. But when they wished to kilt him, I adjured
them much with tears not to be guilty of this iniquity.
2. For
Simeon and Gad came against Joseph to kill him. And Joseph fell upon
his face, and said unto them, Pity me, my brethren, have compassion
upon the bowels of Jacob our father lay not upon me your hands to
shed innocent blood, for I have not sinned against you; yea, if I
have sinned, with chastening chastise me, but lay not upon me your
hand, for the sake of Jacob our father. And as he spoke these words,
I pitied him and began to weep, and my heart melted within me, and
all the substance of my bowels was loosened within my soul. And
Joseph also wept, and I too wept with him; and my heart throbbed
fast, and the joints of my body trembled, and I was not able to
stand. And when he saw me weeping with him, and them coming against
him to slay him, he fled behind me, beseeching them. And Reuben rose
and said, My brethren, let us not slay him, but let us cast him into
one of these dry pits which our fathers digged and found no water.
For for this cause the Lord forbade that water should rise up in
them, in order that Joseph might be preserved; and the Lord appointed
it so, until they sold him to the Ishmaelites.3. For in the price of Joseph, my children, I had no share; but Simeon and Gad and six other of our brethren took the price of Joseph, and bought sandals for themselves, their wives, and their children, saying, We will not eat of it, for it is the price of our brother's blood, but will tread it down under foot, because he said that he was king over us, and so let us see what his dreams mean. Therefore is it written in the writing of the law of Enoch, that whosoever will not raise up seed to his brother, his sandal shall be unloosed, and they shall spit into his face. And the brethren of Joseph wished not that their brother should live, and the Lord loosed unto them the sandal of Joseph. For when they came into Egypt they were unloosed by the servants of Joseph before the gate, and so made obeisance to Joseph after the fashion of Pharaoh. And not only did they make obeisance to him, but were spit upon also, falling down before him forthwith, and so they were put to shame before the Egyptians; for after this the Egyptians heard all the evils which we had done to Joseph.
4. After these things they brought forth food; for I through two days and two nights tasted nothing, through pity for Joseph. And Judah ate not with them, but watched the pit; for he feared lest Simeon and Gad should run back and slay him. And when they saw that I also ate not, they set me to watch him until he was sold. And he remained in the pit three days and three nights, and so was sold famishing. And when Reuben heard that while he was away Joseph had been sold, he rent his clothes about him, and mourned, saying, How shall I look in the face of Jacob my father? And he took the money, and ran after the merchants, and found no one; for they had left the main road, and journeyed hastily through rugged byways. And Reuben ate no food on that day, Dan therefore came to him, and said, Weep not, neither grieve for I have found what we can say to our father Jacob. Let us slay a kid of the goats, and dip in it the coat of Joseph; and we will say, Look, if this is the coat of thy son: for they stripped off from Joseph the coat of our father when they were about to sell him, and put upon him an old garment of a slave. Now Simeon had the coat, and would not give it up, wishing to rend it with his sword; for he was angry that Joseph lived, and that he had not slain him. Them we all rose up together against him, and said, If thou give it not up, we will say that thou alone didst this wickedness in Israel; and so he gave it up, and they did even as Dan had said.
5. And now, my children, I bid you to keep the commands of the Lord, and to show mercy upon your neighbour, and to have compassion towards all, not towards men only, but also towards beasts. For for this thing's sake the Lord blessed me; and when all my brethren were sick I escaped without sickness, for the Lord knoweth the purposes of each. Have therefore compassion in your hearts, my children, because even as a man doeth to his neighbour, even so also will the Lord do to him. For the sons of my brethren were sickening, were dying on account of joseph, because they showed not mercy in their hearts; but my sons were preserved without sickness, as ye know. And when I was in Canaan, by the sea-coast, I caught spoil of fish for Jacob my father; and when many were choked in the sea, I abode unhurt.
6. I was the first who made a boat to sail upon the sea, for the Lord gave me understanding and wisdom therein; and I let down a rudder behind it, and I stretched a sail on an upright mast in the midst; and sailing therein along the shores, I caught fish for the house of my father until we went into Egypt; and through compassion, I gave of my fish to every stranger. And if any man were a stranger, or sick, or aged, I boiled the fish and dressed them well, and offered them to all men as every man had need, bringing them together and having compassion upon them. Wherefore also the Lord granted me to take much fish: for he that imparteth unto his neighbour, receiveth manifold more from the Lord. For five years I caught fish, and gave thereof to every man whom I saw, and brought sufficient for all the house of my father. In the summer I caught fish, and in the winter I kept sheep with my brethren.
7. Now I will declare unto you what I did, I saw a man in distress and nakedness in wintertime, and had compassion upon him, and stole away a garment secretly from my house, and gave it to him who was in distress. Do you therefore, my children, from that which God bestoweth upon you, show compassion and mercy impartially to all men, and give to every man with a good heart. And if ye have not at the time wherewith to give to him that asketh you, have compassion for him in bowels of mercy. I know that my hand found not at the time wherewith to give to him that asked me, and I walked with him weeping for more than seven furlongs, and my bowels yearned towards him unto compassion.
8. Have therefore yourselves also, my children, compassion towards every man with mercy, that the Lord also may have compassion upon you, and have mercy upon you; because also in the last days God sendeth His compassion on the earth, and wheresoever He findeth bowels of mercy, He dwelleth in him. For how much compassion a man hath upon his neighbours, so much also hath the Lord upon him. For when we went down into Egypt, Joseph bore no malice against us, and when he saw me he was filled with compassion. And looking towards him, do ye also, my children, approve yourselves without malice, and love one another; and reckon not each one the evil of his brother, for this breaketh unity, and divideth all kindred, and troubleth the soul: for he who beareth malice hath not bowels of mercy.
9. Mark the waters, that they flow together, and sweep along stones, trees, sand; but if they are divided into many streams, the earth sucketh them up, and they become of no account. So also shall ye be if ye be divided. Divide not yourselves into two heads, for everything which the Lord made hath but one head; He gave two shoulders, hands, feet, but all the members are subject unto the one head. I have learnt by the writing of my fathers, that in the last days ye will depart from the Lord, and be divided in Israel, and ye will follow two kings, and will work every abomination, and every idol will ye worship, and your enemies shall lead you captive, and ye shall dwell among the nations with all infirmities and tribulations and anguish of soul. And after these things ye will remember the Lord, and will repent, and He will lead you back; for He is merciful and full of compassion, not imputing evil to the sons of men, because they are flesh, and the spirits of error deceive them in all their doings, And after these things shall the Lord Himself arise to you, the Light of righteousness, and healing and compassion shall be upon His wings. He shall redeem all captivity of the sons of men from Beliar, and every spirit of error shall be trodden down. And He shall bring back all the nations to zeal for Him, and ye shall see God in the fashion of a man whom the Lord shall choose, Jerusalem is His name. And again with the wickedness of your words will ye provoke Him to anger, and ye shall be cast away, even unto the time of consummation.
10. And now, my children, grieve not that I am dying, nor be troubled in that I am passing away from you. For I shall arise once more in the midst of you, as a ruler in the midst of his sons; and I will rejoice in the midst of my tribe, as many as have kept the law of the Lord, and the commandments of Zebulun their father. But upon the ungodly shall the Lord bring everlasting fire, and will destroy them throughout all generations. I am hastening away unto my rest, as did my fathers; but do ye fear the Lord your God with all your strength all the days of your life. And when he had said these things he fell calmly asleep, and his sons laid him in a coffin; and afterwards they carried him up to Hebron, and buried him with his fathers.
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