The History of Yosef and Asenath

8/21/2019 The History of Yosef and Asenath

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THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH

he History of

Yosef and Asenath

Revision by Aish Tamid


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THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH

The History of Yosef and Asenath.

First Edition.

Revised by Aish Tamid.Original translation by a!"#es Issaverdens$ %&'%.

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THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH %

he History of

Yosef and Asenath

-rolog#e

%-haraoh gave Asenath$ the da#ghter of -oti(herah$ (riest of On$ to

Yosef of the Ivrim$ as his 0ife. *This is an a!!o#nt of their story$ restored forthe 3ommon0ealth of Yisra4el$ and #(dated to !ommon English by Aish Tamid5based #(on the Armenian man#s!ri(t$ as translated by a!"#es Issaverdens$ inthe 6regorian year %&'%.

3ha(ter One

%It !ame to (ass$ on the seventh day of the se!ond month in the firstyear of the seven years of (lenty$ that -haraoh sent Yosef to ma1e a to#rthro#gho#t all the land of Egy(t. *Yosef rea!hed the territory of the to0n ofHelio(olis on the eighteenth day of the month$ 7and the !orn that he gathered!orn in that land 0as as (lentif#l the sand of the sea. +There 0as a man in thatto0n 0ho 0as a minister of -haraoh$ and 0ho$ thro#gh his 0isdom$ 0as thegreatest of all in -haraoh4s !o#rt. 8His name 0as -oti(herah$ and he 0as a(riest of the to0n of Helio(olis. 9He had a virgin da#ghter$ abo#t eighteen

years old5 she 0as a tall and lovely maiden$ of very fair a((earan!e$ fairer than allthe maids that 0ere aro#nd. :She bore no resemblan!e at all to the da#ghters ofthe Egy(tians$ b#t 0as li1e the da#ghters of the Ivrim. ;She 0as tall as Sarah$ asfair as Rebe1ah$ and more gra!ef#l than Ra!hel. The name of that maid 0asAsenath$ &and the fame of her bea#ty 0ent o#t into all the Earth. The sons ofthe great men$ and of the governors$ and of the 1ings$ all the yo#ng and valiant0arriors$ desired her for a 0ife$ %'and there 0as hy do yo# as1 for 0ife 0ho is inferior to yo#rself %7to be 1ing ofEgy(t? %+Is not the da#ghter of the 1ing of the @oabites 0ho is betrothed toyo# very fair?


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* THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH

3ha(ter 0o

%No0 Asenath herself disdained and des(ised all men$ and 0as very

(ro#d and !on!eited. No man had ever seen Asenath$ be!a#se -oti(herah had ato0er near his (ala!e$ and in that to0er there 0as an #((er story ri!hlyf#rnished$ in 0hi!h Asenath d0elt$ o#t of the sight of all men. *That #((erstory 0as s(a!io#s and very high$ and there 0ere ten rooms in it.

7The first room 0as large$ and 0as adorned 0ith bea#tif#l marbles$ anddra(ed 0ith (#r(le. The 0alls glittered 0ith (re!io#s stones$ +and the !eiling0as of massive gold. In that room$ near the 0all of the se!ond room$ 0ere

(la!ed the inn#merable gold and silver elohim of the Egy(tians$8

0hi!hAsenath adored and revered. Every day she offered sa!rifi!es and b#rned in!ensebefore them.

9In the se!ond room there 0ere !hests !ontaining Asenath4s ornamentsof gold and silver in ab#ndan!e$ :(re!io#s and rare


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THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH 7

3ha(ter hree

%It !ame to (ass$ on the eighteenth day of the fo#rth month in the first

year of the seven years of (lenty$ that Yosef !ame to the bo#ndaries of the to0nof Helio(olis$ and began to gather in the !orn. *>hen Yosef !ame near to thatto0n$ he sent messengers to -oti(herah the (riest$ and said$ =The heat is greatC7I 0ill rest at yo#r ho#se d#ring mid/day$ and rela #nder the shado0 of yo#rroof.

+>hen -oti(herah heard this$ he felt great


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+ THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH

-oti(herah said$ =3ome$ sit do0n bet0een #s$ and I 0ill tell yo# 0hat Ihave to say.

9So Asenath sat bet0een her father and mother. :-oti(herah too1 holdof the right hand of his da#ghter5 he 1issed it$ and said$ =Asenath$ my !hildC

;Asenath re(lied$ =Here am I$ my adon and fatherC

-oti(herah said$ =Yosef$ mighty man of Elohim$ is !oming to #s today$and he is the r#ler over all the land of Egy(t5 for -haraoh has a((ointed him ashead of his (ossessions$ and he is the savior of all this land5 for it is he 0hogives !orn to this !o#ntry$ and 0ill save men from the (resent famine and fromthe !oming one. &Yosef is (io#s and !haste$ a virt#o#s man$ f#ll of 0isdom$ andhe resembles yo# 0ho are also virt#o#s. Yosef is (o0erf#l thro#gh his 0isdomand 0it$ for the S(irit of Elohim and the gra!e of YH>H are 0ith him.%'No0 my !hild$ listen to me$ and let me give yo# to him for a 0ife$ and let himmarry yo# and be yo#r h#sband from this day on0ard.

%%It !ame to (ass$ 0hen Asenath heard the 0ords of her father$ the !olorof her fa!e !hanged$ and she be!ame sad and f#ll of anger. She loo1ed at her

father 0ith disa((roval$ and said$ %*=>hy do yo#$ my adon and father$ say thesethings$ to give me as a slave to a stranger and a f#gitive$ even to a servant 0ho0as sold? %7Is he not the son of a she(herd from the land of the 3anaanites$%+0ho 0as !hided for having 0ronged his master4s 0ife? Did not his master (#thim in a dar1 (rison$ altho#gh -haraoh the 1ing dre0 him o#t of the (rison forhaving e(lained his dream$ li1e the old 0omen of Egy(t also e(lain dreams?%8This m#st not be so$ for I 0ill marry the eldest son of -haraoh$ for he is the1ing of all Egy(t.

%9-oti(herah 0as afraid to s(ea1 again to his da#ghter !on!erning Yosef$for she had ans0ered him 0ith boldness and indignation.

3ha(ter Five

%A yo#ng man of the servants of -oti(herah !ame r#nning in$ and

anno#n!ed$ =,eholdC Yosef is at the doors of the ho#se$ near the !o#rtyard.*Asenath then hastened from the (resen!e of her father and mother$

0hen she heard that Yosef 4s (resen!e had been anno#n!ed$ and 0ent to her roomin the #((er story. She stood before her large 0indo0 0hi!h fa!ed to0ard theeast$ that she might see Yosef 0hile he 0as entering the ho#se of her father.


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THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH 8

7-oti(herah and his 0ife$ along 0ith all of his servants and the 0holeho#sehold$ 0ent to meet Yosef. +They o(ened the gate of the !o#rt 0hi!h fa!edto0ard the east$ and Yosef entered$ seated in the golden !hariot of -haraoh$80hi!h 0as dra0n by fo#r horses as 0hite as sno0 and adorned 0ith goldenbridles. 9Yosef 0as !lothed in a bea#tif#l 0hite t#ni!$ and 0ore a !loa1 of(#r(le and fine linen 0oven 0ith gold5 on his head there 0as a !ro0n of gold$and aro#nd the !ro0n there 0ere t0elve (re!io#s stones$ #(on 0hi!h there 0eret0elve radiant fig#res. :In his left hand he held a s!e(ter$ and in his right handhe held a long olive bran!h f#ll of very bea#tif#l fr#it.

;Yosef entered into the !o#rtyard$ and all the doors 0ere sh#t$ &so that

all the (eo(le remained o#tside the !o#rt$ for the g#ardians of the doors hadlo!1ed them and did (ermit anyone to go in. %'-oti(herah and his 0ife$ and allhis relatives$ e!e(t Asenath their da#ghter$ !ame5 they (rostrated themselves#(on their fa!es before Yosef$ and adored him. %%Yosef got o#t of his !hariot$and they re!eived him in their arms.

3ha(ter Si.

%>hen Asenath sa0 Yosef$ she felt a strong love for him5 her so#l 0ash#mbled$ her 1nees gre0 0ea1$ and her body trembled$ *for she 0as seied 0itha great fear. She sighed from the bottom of her heart$ and said$ 8=>hat 0ill Ido no0$ miserable that I am? Is it not b#t ho !o#ld bring forth s#!h a glorio#s man? ,#t I$ 0ret!hed andfoolish that I am$ s(o1e evil 0ords !on!erning him to my father. >here 0ill I goto hide myself from his (resen!e$ lest Yosef$ the beloved of Elohim$ might seeme? It seems that he 1no0s all se!rets$ and that nothing is hidden from him$

be!a#se of the great light that is in him. No0$ my ElohimB (ardon my ignoran!ein s(ea1ing evil 0ords abo#t him$%;and let my father give me to Yosef as amaidservant to serve him$ and I 0ill be!ome his servant foreverC

% Some man#s!ri(ts omit from =>here 0ill I go... to =...s(ea1ing evil 0ords abo#t him.


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9 THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH

3ha(ter Seven

%Yosef entered -oti(herah4s (ala!e and sat do0n on the throne. They

0ashed his feet$ and (re(ared that he sho#ld eat se(arately5 for Yosef did not eat0ith the Egy(tians$ he !onsidering it a defilement to eat 0ith them.

*Yosef said to -oti(herah$ and to all his relatives$ =>ho is that 0oman0ho stands in the #((er story near the 0indo0? et her go a0ay from the(ala!e.

7Yosef feared$ and tho#ght 0ithin himself$ =She may be a tro#ble tome. He tho#ght this be!a#se all the 0omen and da#ghters of the governors ofEgy(t$ 0hen they sa0 Yosef$ 0ere filled 0ith great (assion be!a#se of his bea#ty$and they annoyed him. +,#t Yosef des(ised them5 he re(elled 0ith indignationthe messengers that the 0omen of the Egy(tians sent to him$ and reH$ the Savior of Yisra4el. 9He al0ays 1e(t in the forefront of hismind the fig#re of Ya4a1ov his father$ and remembered his (re!e(ts. For Ya4a1ovsaid to Yosef$ and to all his sons$ =@y !hildren$ 1ee( yo#rselves from the 0omen

of the strangers$ and have no fello0shi( 0ith them5 for their fello0shi( !a#ses(erdition and !orr#(tion. :It is be!a#se of this that Yosef said$ =et that0oman go a0ay from the (ala!e.

;-oti(herah said to him$ =The 0oman yo# have seen in the #((er storyis not a stranger5 she is o#r da#ghter$ and yo#r servant$ a virgin$ 0hom no manbesides yo#rself has ever seen. &If yo# 0ill (ermit it$ she 0ill !ome and bo0do0n before yo#$ for o#r da#ghter is as yo#r sister.

%'Yosef greatly re


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THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH :

3ha(ter Eight

%Her mother 0ent #( to the #((er story$ and bro#ght do0n Asenath to

(resent her before Yosef. -oti(herah said to Asenath his da#ghter$ =Hail yo#rbrother$ for he is (#re as yo#rself #ntil this day$ and he re


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; THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH

3ha(ter Nine

%Asenath rehen the 0hole ho#se 0as silent$ Asenath rose from her bed$ left the#((er story$ softly !re(t do0n the stairs$ and 0ent near the millstones to themiller$ only to find that the miller 0as aslee( 0ith his !hildren. +Asenath "#i!1ly(#lled from the door the !#rtain of hair!loth$ and filled it 0ith ashes from thefire(la!e5 then$ !arrying it to the #((er story$ she (#t it on the gro#nd. 8Shesh#t the doors$ fastened them 0ith a bolt$ sighed heavily$ and shed many tears.

7 Some man#s!ri(ts omit verse 7.


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THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH &

9The maidens$ 0ho 0ere bro#ght #( 0ith her$ along 0ith her n#rse$0hom Asenath loved more than all of them$ heard her$ and !ame to her door.They fo#nd it lo!1ed$ and as they heard the groaning and the 0ee(ing$ theydre0 near$ and said$ :=>hat is the matter$ Asenath$ o#r lady? ;>hat is the!a#se of yo#r affli!tion? O(en the door to #s$ and let #s see 0hat has ha((enedto yo#.

Asenath did not o(en the door$ b#t from 0ithin she said to them$ =I amstri!1en by a bad heada!he$ and !annot rest5 I !annot even get #( to o(en thedoor for yo#$ for my limbs are 0ea1. As for yo# allB everyone of yo# sho#ldret#rn to her o0n room and rest5 leave me to be!ome !alm and !olle!t myself.

&A!!ording to her order$ the maidens ea!h 0ent to her o0n room.Asenath then arose$ softly o(ened the door$ and 0ent to the se!ond room$ 0herethe !hests 0ith her ornaments 0ere. She o(ened a !hest and too1 o#t her bla!1!lothes$ 0hi!h 0as her mo#rning dress. %'She had 0orn it before for mo#rningthe death of her yo#nger brother.G

%%Asenath too1 her bla!1 !lothes and bro#ght them into her room. She

sh#t the door behind her$ and fastened it 0ith a bolt. Asenath "#i!1ly too1 offher royal !lothesB the fine linen and those of (#r(le inter0oven 0ith gold$ thegolden belt$ the !ro0n from her head$ and the bra!elets from her hands and feet5%*she too1 all of them$ and thre0 them from the 0indo0 0hi!h fa!ed to0ardthe north. %7In li1e manner$ Asenath h#rriedly too1 all the elohim of Egy(t$0hi!h 0ere made of gold and silver$ and 0ere 0itho#t n#mber$ and thre0 themdo0n from the 0indo0 of the #((er story. %+Asenath too1 her royal eveningmealB the bread$ the flesh of the heifer$ everything 0hi!h 0as sa!rifi!ed to her

elohim$ and the 0ine vessels in 0hi!h she (erformed the sa!rifi!es$ and thre0them do0n from the 0indo0$ to be the (rey of strange dogs. Asenath said$ =@ydogs 0ill not eat of the meal and of the lambs sa!rifi!ed to the idols$ and they0ill not be defiled from this day on0ard5 b#t let the dogs of strangers eat them.

%8It !ame to (ass$ after this$ that Asenath too1 the !#rtain of hair!loth0hi!h she had filled 0ith ashes$ and (o#red the ashes on the floor of the ho#se.%9She too1 the !#rtain of hair!loth$ and girded herself 0ith it5 then$ #ndoing

the tresses of her hair$ she (la!ed the ashes that 0ere on the gro#nd #(on herhead. %:She beat her breast$ and 0e(t bitterly for the 0hole night #ntil themorning.


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%' THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH

%;It !ame to (ass$ at da0n$ that Asenath sa0 that the ashes on the floorof the ho#se had t#rned into m#d from her tears. %&She fell on her fa!e again#ntil s#nset$ 0hen evening had !ome. *'Asenath did this again$ and again$ #ntilthe seventh day. She ill/treated and veed herself all the seven days$ neither eatingbread nor drin1ing 0ater the entire time.

3ha(ter Eleven

%On the eighth day at da0n$ 0hen the rooster began !ro0ing$ and thedogs began to bar1 at those (assing by$ that she lifted #( her head$ and herlimbs 0ere 0ea1 and faint be!a#se she had not eaten for seven days. +She again1nelt do0n on the floor of the room$ (la!ed her hand on the floor$ and bo0eddo0n her head. Her hair$ be!a#se of the 0eight of the ashes$ 0as torn andbro1en. Asenath$ hat 0ill I do? >ho 0ill I ma1e my ref#ge?>here 0ill I go$ seeing that I am a maiden$ lonely and hel(less? +Everyone hasabandoned and hated me5 even my father has hated me$ for I have des(ised theirelohim$ 0hom I have destroyed and !a#sed to be trodden #nder foot by all men.8@y father$ my mother$ and all my relatives therefore hate me. @y father said$Asenath 0ill no longer be !alled o#r da#ghter$ be!a#se she destroyed o#r elohimmade of gold and silverC4 9And loo1C I have be!ome hatef#l to all men$ be!a#sein my (ride. I did 0rong against all men$ and against the man to 0hom I 0asbetrothed. No0$ in this affli!tion of mine$ I have be!ome hatef#l to everyone$and I !herish my affli!tion.

:She tho#ght$ and said$ =Adonai$ Elohim of Yosef$ Yo# 0ho are the@ost HighC Yo# hate those 0ho adore idols that are lifeless$ d#mb$ and

senseless$ for Yo# are a vengef#l and terrible Elohim against strange elohim.;Yo#$ O Elohim$ m#st hate me also$ for I have adored the s(ee!hless$ deaf$ andsenseless idols$ and have offered (rayers to them. &I have eaten of their breadand sa!rifi!es$ and my mo#th has been defiled at the table of their sa!rifi!es$ and

+ Some man#s!ri(ts omit from here thro#gh all of verse %;.


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THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH %%

I do not dare invo1e the Elohim of heaven and earth$ the @ost High Savior ofYosef$ for my so#l has been !ontaminated by the sa!rifi!es offered to idols.%'No0 I have been told that the tr#e Elohim is that of the Ivrim$ and that He isthe Elohim of the living$ and that He is mer!if#l$ long/s#ffering$ !om(assionate$and (atient$ and that He does not remember the sins of the man 0ho re(ents$and that He does not (#nish man in the time of his distress. %%et me have!o#rage to t#rn to Him$ and to ma1e Him my ref#ge$ and !onfess to Him all mysins$ and to offer my (rayers before Him5 and He 0ill be mer!if#l to me.

%*=-er!han!e that He may loo1 #(on my desolationC -er!han!e that Hemay see my desolation$ and have (ity #(on me. %7-er!han!e He may see my

distress and !ome to my hel($ be!a#se He is the Father of the or(han 8and theHel(er of those 0ho s#ffer. %+et me have !o#rage and !ry o#t to Him$ so thatHe may grant me forgivenessC

%8Asenath rose #( from the 0all by 0hi!h she sat and t#rned herselfto0ards the 0indo0 0hi!h fa!ed to0ard the east. She 1nelt do0n$ and raised #(her hands to heaven$ b#t felt afraid to o(en her mo#th and invo1e the name ofElohim. She t#rned again to the 0all and sat do0n5 she beat her breast 0ith her

hand$ and s(o1e in her o0n heart$ and said 0itho#t o(ening her mo#th$ %9=O0ret!hed one that I am$ or(han and desolate5 my mo#th is defiled by thesa!rifi!es to the idols$ and by the (rayers I offered to the elohim of theEgy(tians. %:I have tort#red my body$ mingling ashes 0ith my tears$ b#t evenno0 I dare not o(en my mo#th and invo1e Yo#r holy and a0esome Name$ for itmay be that Elohim 0ill be angry 0ith me. %;>hat am I to do$ 0ret!hed as Iam? et me ta1e !o#rage and o(en my mo#th to Him$ and sho#ld He be angryand !r#sh me$ He !an again heal me. Sho#ld He (#nish me again 0ith

s#fferings$ He !an !omfort me on!e more$ and in (#nishing me$ He may rene0me thro#gh His mer!y$ sho#ld He be angry be!a#se of of my sins. He may bere!on!iled to me$ and grant me (ardon for all my sins. No0 let me have !o#rage$and o(en my mo#th to Him$ so that He 0ill have mer!y #(on me and ta1e a0aymy sins.

8 -salm 9;B8.


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%* THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH

3ha(ter 0elve

%Asenath rose #( from the 0all$ and 1nelt do0n$ lifting #( her hands

to0ards the east$ and loo1ing #( to0ard heaven. She o(ened her mo#th toElohim$ and said$ *=YH>H$ eternal Elohim$ 0ho has !reated all beings$ andhas given life to them5

=Yo# 0ho have given the breath of life to all Yo#r !reat#res5

=Yo# 0ho have bro#ght to light the invisible things5

=Yo# 0ho have !reated all visible !reation o#t of the invisible$ and o#t

of nothing57=Yo# 0ho have made the heaven on high$ and have laid its fo#ndations

#(on the 0inds5

=Yo# 0ho$ 0ith Yo#r holy stones$ have b#ilt the earth #(on the 0aters5

=Yo# 0ho have thro0n h#ge stones #(on the de(ths of the 0aters$ sothat the stones are not s#bmerged$ b#t li1e leaves of the oa1 tree remain on the

0aters$ for those stones are alive$ and listen to Yo#r voi!e$ O YH>H.+=Yo#$ YH>H$ give life to all Yo#r !reat#res5

=I t#rn to Yo#$ O YH>H$ for H$ and I !ry o#t to Yo#$ to save me before my (erse!#tionbegins. A !hild$ in his terror$ ta1es ref#ge 0ith his father$ and the father$


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THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH %7

etending his hand$ ta1es hold of him$ and lifts him #( from the gro#nd5 the!hild !lings aro#nd the ne!1 of his father$ and being soothed and !omforted$rests in his arms. In the same 0ay I$ too$ (er(leed on all sides$ ta1e ref#ge 0ithYo#$ my @aster and Father.

;=Etend Yo#r hand$ and lift me #( from the gro#nd. ,eholdC The 0ildand old ion (erse!#tes me$ &for he is the father of the elohim of theEgy(tians. The idols of the heathen are sons of the ion5 and I thre0 a0ay allthe elohim and destroyed them$ and the ion their father$ filled 0ith anger$(erse!#tes me.

%'

=Save me$ O YH>H$ from his hands$ and deliver me from hismo#thC He 0ill !arry me a0ay 0ith violen!e5 he 0ill tear me to (ie!es$ andthro0 me into the fire of the f#rna!e. He 0ill !ast me into the h#rri!ane$ andthe h#rri!ane 0hirling aro#nd me 0ill leave me blinded. He 0ill thro0 me intothe de(ths of the abyss$ and the an!ient sea beast 0ill s0allo0 me #($ and I 0ill(erish for ever.

%%=Deliver me$ O YH>H$ before all this !omes #(on me. Deliver me$

and save me 0hile I am estranged$ for my father and mother have !ast me off5they have said$ Asenath is not o#r da#ghter$ be!a#se she has destroyed o#relohim$ and has hated them.4 ,e!a#se of this I have be!ome hated by them$ andhave been abandoned and an or(han5 b#t my ho(e is in Yo#$ for there is nonebeside Yo#$ O YH>H$ in 0hom I may have ref#ge. Yo# are the Father of theor(han and the (erse!#ted$ and the Hel(er of the o((ressed. Have (ity on me$ amaiden affli!ted and forsa1en$ for Yo# are a Father and a @other$ good ands0eet. >ho else is a father$ as s0eet as Yo#? >ho else is a mother$ as

!om(assionate as Yo#? >ho else is as (atient as Yo# to0ard the sinners?9

%*=Everything that my father -oti(herah gave me for an inheritan!e is(erishable and tem(oral$ for they are not in!orr#(tible5 b#t all of Yo#r gifts andinheritan!e 0ill not (ass not a0ay$ for they are eternal.

3ha(ter hirteen

%=oo1 #(on me$ o((ressed as I am$ and have mer!y #(on me. I rana0ay from all the 0orld$ and have made Yo# my ref#ge$ O YH>H. I haveabandoned all the good things of the 0orld$ and have (#t my ho(e in Yo#. Ino0 re(ent$ in sa!1!loth and ashes$ and mo#rn for my sins.

9 arge (ortions of verses :/%% are not (resent in all man#s!ri(ts.


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%+ THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH

*=,ehold$ I have !ast off my royal garments$ the fine linen$ 0hi!h 0asadorned 0ith H$ Elohim of Yosef5 save me$ O YH>H$and grant me (ardonC I have sinned thro#gh ignoran!e$ and I 0ent astraythro#gh folly$ and s(o1e blas(hemo#s 0ords against o#r adon Yosef$ %'be!a#se Idid not 1no0 that Yo# love him as a son5 b#t there 0ere (eo(le 0ho s(o1e to mein sin!erity$ saying that Yosef 0as the son of a she(herd from the land of the3anaanites. I believed them$ and 0as 0rong in des(ising him5 I s(o1e 0i!1ed0ords against him$ be!a#se I did not 1no0 that Yo# love Yosef li1e a son.

%%=>ho !an !reate s#!h bea#ty$ s#!h 0isdom and virt#e. %*ee( him$O YH>H$ thro#gh the gra!e of Yo#r 0isdom$ and give me to him as ahandmaid and a slave$ so that I may (re(are his bed and 0ash his feet and be amaidservant to him.


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THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH %8

3ha(ter Fo#rteen

%It !ame to (ass$ 0hen Asenath had finished s(ea1ing to the YH>H$

that the morning star shone forth. *Asenath reH has heard my (rayers$ for beholdC The star of Elohim$0hi!h is an angel and a herald$ shines forth. 7Asenath loo1ed again$ andbeholdC Near the morning star$ the heaven 0as o(ened$ and a great lighta((eared$ +and Asenath fell on her fa!e #(on the ashes at the sight of it.

One 0ith the li1eness of a man then des!ended from heaven5 standingbefore Asenath$ he !alled to her$ and said$ =AsenathC

8She tho#ght to herself$ =>ho is it 0ho !alls me? The doors of myroom are sh#t$ and this to0er is high5 ho0 !o#ld he enter into my room?

9The man !alled to her a se!ond time$ and said$ =AsenathC

Asenath re(lied$ =Here am I. ,#t tell me/ 0ho are yo#?

:The man said$ =I am the !hief r#ler over the Ho#se of YH>H$ and!ommander of the host of the @ost High. :AriseC Stand #( #(on yo#r feet$and I 0ill tell yo# 0hat I have to say.

;Asenath lifted #( her head$ and she sa0 that the man 0as "#ite li1eYosef 0ith his garment$ his !ro0n and his royal s!e(ter. &His fa!e 0as li1elightning5 his eyes 0ere li1e the rays of the s#n5 his hair 0as li1e flames5 hishands 0ere li1e red hot iron5 and from his hands and feet fell do0n s(ar1s li1efrom roaring fire. %'>hen Asenath sa0 him$ she fell do0n on her fa!e #(on thegro#nd$ frightened$ 0ith all of her limbs trembling.

%%The man said to her$ =,e of good !heer$ Asenath. Do not be afraid$b#t arise$ and stand on yo#r feet. I 0ill tell yo# 0hat I have to say.

%*Asenath rose #( and stood #(on her feet. The man said$ =6o$ andta1e off that bla!1 garment of mo#rning that yo# 0ear$ that hair!loth !#rtain$and sha1e off the ashes from yo#r head. >ash yo#rself 0ith living 0ater$ %7and(#t on a ne0$ magnifi!ent garmentC 6ird yo#rself 0ith the golden girdle of yo#r

maidenhood$%+

and allo0 me to tell yo# 0hat I have to say.

: An alternate reading is as follo0sB =I am the -rin!e of Yisra4el$ and more (o0erf#l than allthe saints of the @ost High.


18/34

%9 THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH

%8Asenath "#i!1ly 0ent to her se!ond room$ in 0hi!h 0ere the !hests0ith her ornaments. She o(ened one of the !hests and too1 from it magnifi!entlinen !lothes 0hi!h had never been 0orn. She too1 off the bla!1 garment ofmo#rning$ and !ast the hair!loth !#rtain from her loins5 she dressed herself inthe magnifi!ent robes$ %9and girded her breasts and loins 0ith the girdles of hermaidenhood. %:She shoo1 the ashes off of her head$ and 0ashed her hands andfa!e. She !overed her head 0ith a ne0 and !lean linen hand1er!hief.

3ha(ter Fifteen

She ret#rned to the first room$ and stood before the man. He said toher$ =Ta1e off the hand1er!hief from yo#r head. >hy do yo# 0ear it today? Tothis day yo# are a holy and !haste maiden$ and yo#r head resembles that of ayo#ng man.

*Asenath too1 the hand1er!hief off of her head. The man said to her$=,e of good !omfort$ Asenath$ holy maiden. I have heard yo#r !onfessions andyo#r (rayers. ,eholdC I have seen yo#r seven days of s#ffering and destit#tion$

and I have seen the mire from the ashes and the tears. 7,e of good !omfort$Asenath$ holy maiden$ for yo#r name is 0ritten by the hand of Elohim in heavenin the ,oo1 of ife$ among those 0ho4s names 0ere 0ritten do0n from the verybeginning. ,y the 0itness of many$ yo#r name 0as 0ritten do0n for all eternity.

+=,eholdC From this day for0ard$ yo# 0ill be rene0ed$ and on!e morealive againC Yo# 0ill eat of the ,read of ife$ and 0ill drin1 of the 3#( ofImmortality$ and 0ill be anointed 0ith the Oil of In!orr#(tibility. 8,e of good

!heer$ Asenath$ holy maiden$ for I have given yo# today as a s(o#se to Yosef$ andhe 0ill be yo#r h#sband forever. 9Yo# 0ill no longer be !alled Asenath$ b#trather A 3ity of Ref#ge.4 Thro#gh yo# a great many generations 0ill ta1e ref#gein the YH>H$ Elohim of heaven$ and yo#r shado0 0ill shelter those 0ho have(#t their ho(e in the YH>H Elohim$ and in yo#r 0alls those 0ho re(ent tothe @ost High 0ill entren!h themselves.

:=Re(entan!e lifts a man near heaven$ and ma1es him dear to the @ost

High 0hen he see1s Him 0ith sin!erity. Elohim is the 6iver of all gifts$ and Hegrants strength to all virgins. He see1s (#rity$ and loves it very m#!h5 He al0ays0at!hes yo# 0ith tenderness. He re!eives those 0ho re(ent as near to Him inHis d0elling$ and (re(ares a heavenly (la!e of rest for them$ 0here all 0ho havere(ented 0ill rest5 they 0ill al0ays be there$ #nder His eye forever$ and He 0ills(are them.


19/34

THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH %:

;=Re(entan!e herself is as a virgin5 she is very bea#tif#l and (#re5 she is!haste and gentle. The @ost High Elohim loves her$ and all His angels revereher. ;

&=,eholdC I am going to Yosef$ and I 0ill s(ea1 to him all that I have tosay abo#t yo#. Yosef 0ill !ome to see yo# today$ and he 0ill re


20/34

%; THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH

3ha(ter Si.teen

%Asenath bro#ght an em(ty table and set it before him$ and as she 0as

going to her (antry to bring bread for him$ he said to her$ =,ring me ahoney!omb also.

*Asenath sto((ed 0hat she 0as doing and be!ame sad$ for she had nohoney!omb in her (antry.

The man said$ =>hy did yo# sto($ and 0hy are yo# sad?

Asenath re(lied$ =I 0ill send a boy o#t of o#r to0n$ for o#r !o#ntry

(ossession is near this (la!e$ and he 0ill fet!h from there a honey!omb for me togive yo#$ my adon.

7The man said to her$ =6o into yo#r !ellar$ and yo# 0ill find ahoney!omb on the table5 bring it here.

Asenath re(lied$ =There is no honey!omb in my !ellar.

The man said$ =6o into the !ellar$ and yo# 0ill find one.

+Asenath 0ent into her !ellar$ and there she fo#nd a honey!omb on thetable5 the honey!omb that she fo#nd 0as large$ as 0hite as the sno0$ and entirelyf#ll of honey. It 0as li1e the de0 of heaven$ and its smell 0as li1e the ,reath ofife. %'Asenath 0as amaed$ and she 0ondered if (erha(s the honey!omb had!ome from the man4s mo#th$ sin!e it smelled li1e his breath. 8Asenath too1 thehoney!omb$ bro#ght it before the man$ and (la!ed it #(on the em(ty table0hi!h she had (re(ared. The man said to her$ =>hy did yo# say that there 0as

no honey!omb in yo#r !ellar? From 0here did this e!ellent honey!omb !ome?9Asenath 0as frightened$ and said$ =@y $ I had no honey!omb in my

!ellar$ b#t yo# have s(o1en$ and it 0as soC -erha(s it !ame forth from yo#rmo#th$ for its smell is as the (erf#me of yo#r mo#th.

:The man smiled at Asenath4s modesty. He !alled her near him$ and (#this right hand #(on her head. Asenath 0as afraid of the man4s hand$ for fromhis hand fell do0n s(ar1s as from a red hot iron. The man$ 0hen he sa0 her fear$

smiled$ and said$ =Yo# are blessed$ Asenath$ that the se!rets of the @ost HighElohim have been revealed to yo#. ,lessed also are those 0ho stand beforeYH>H thro#gh re(entan!e$ for they 0ill eat of this honey!omb. ;Thishoney!omb is the ,reath of ife$ (re(ared by the bees in the 6arden of

%' iterally =odor or =smell.


21/34

THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH %&

Elohim4s Delight$ from the de0 of the roseb#shes of Elohim4s life. The angelsof Elohim 0ill eat of it$ as 0ill the sons of the @ost High$ also the !hosen ofElohim$ for it is the honey!omb of life$ and 0hoever eats of it 0ill never die.

&The man stret!hed o#t his hand and bro1e a little (ie!e of thehoney!omb$ and ate from it$ and 0hat remained in his hand he (#t it intoAsenath4s mo#th. He said$ =,ehold$ yo# have eaten of the ,read of ife$ anddr#n1 of the 3#( of Immortality$ and have been anointed 0ith the Oil ofIn!orr#(tibility. From this day for0ard$ yo#r body 0ill b#d li1e a flo0er$ and0ill bring forth do#ble$ li1e a living flo0er of the 6arden of the @ost High.Yo#r bones 0ill gro0 strong li1e the !edars of the 6arden of Elohim4s Delight$

and yo# 0ill be s#rro#nded by strength that 0ill never tire5 yo#r yo#th 0ill neversee old age$ and yo#r bea#ty 0ill never fail. Yo# 0ill be li1e a fortified to0n inthe name of the YH>H Elohim$ the eternal ing.

%'After this the man stret!hed forth his hand and to#!hed thehoney!omb 0hi!h he had bro1en$ and instantly the !avity 0as (erfe!tly filledagain$ and it be!ame !om(lete as it 0as before. %%He stret!hed forth theforefinger of his right hand and to#!hed the east side of the honey!omb$ and

bro#ght his it aro#nd to the 0est side$ and the (rint of his finger be!ame li1eblood. %%He stret!hed forth his hand a se!ond time and to#!hed the north sideof the honey!omb$ and bro#ght it aro#nd to the so#th side$ and the a((earan!eof the (rint of his finger be!ame li1e blood. %*Asenath 0at!hed in amaementto see 0hat the man 0as doing. %7The man said to the honey!omb$ =3omehere. ,ees emerged from the !ells of the honey!omb$ and there 0ere !l#sters andtho#sands of tho#sands of bees$ 0hite as the sno0$ and f#ll of honey. Their0ings 0ere long and !rimson !olored$ and some of them 0ere li1e t0ined fine

linen. Aro#nd their heads they loo1ed as if they had golden !ro0ns. They 0ereof a noble a((earan!e$ and had a shar( sting$ b#t they did not harm anyone. %+They s#rro#nded Asenath from the feet to the head5 they 0ere the absol#te bestbees$ being large li1e "#eens. They arose from the s#rfa!e of the honey!omb andsat #(on Asenath4s fa!e$ and 0or1ed aro#nd it$ and the o(ening of thehoney!omb 0as in the sha(e of Asenath4s mo#th.

%8The man said to the bees$ =6o to yo#r (la!e.

%% Some man#s!ri(ts omit from =He said$ ,ehold...4 in verse & thro#gh =...!om(lete$ as it 0asbefore. in verse %'.


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*' THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH

All the bees arose and fle0 a0ay$ and 0ent to0ards the s1y5 %9yet those0ho 0o#ld have h#rt Asenath fell do0n and died. %:The man etended his staffto the dead bees$ and said$ =Arise also$ and go to yo#r (la!e. The dead beesarose and 0ent o((osite Asenath4s (ala!e$ and settled themselves #(on the fr#it/bearing trees.

3ha(ter Seventeen

%The man said to Asenath$ =Do yo# #nderstand 0hat yo# have seen?

*She re(lied$ =I do.

The man said$ =A!!ording to all the 0ords I have s(o1en to yo# today$so it 0ill ha((en to yo#.

7He stret!hed o#t his right hand a third time and to#!hed thehoney!omb5 a fire b#rst forth and !ons#med the honey!omb$ b#t the table 0asnot damaged5 the smell of the honey!omb filled the room$ and its s!ent 0asetremely deli!io#s.

+Asenath said to the man$ =>ith me there are seven maidens5 they havegro0n #( 0ith me$ and 0ere born on the same night as myself. I love them li1emy sisters5 let me !all them here$ that yo# might bless them li1e yo# blessed me.

8The man re(lied$ =3all them.

Asenath !alled for them and (resented them to the man. He said tothem$ =YH>H$ the @ost High Elohim$ let Him bless yo#. Yo# 0ill be!ome asseven !ol#mns of this to0n$ and the blessing of YH>H 0ill rest #(on yo# forall eternity.

9He said to Asenath$ =Ta1e a0ay the table from its (la!e.

Asenath too1 a0ay the table from its (la!e5 she t#rned to (#t it in its(ro(er (la!e$ and the man disa((eared from Asenath4s sight.

Asenath sa0 0hat a((eared to be a !hariot going #( to0ard the east$into heaven. The !hariot a((eared to be li1e fire$ 0ith its horses li1e lightning$and the man stood in the !hariot. :Asenath said$ =I am foolish and rash$ for Is(o1e rashly$ and said that a man !ame into my room$ 0hen I did not even#nderstand that the angel of YH>H has !ome to me this day from heavenC,ehold/ he has ret#rned to his (la!e.


23/34

THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH *%

She 0ent on to say$ =-ardon me$ my adon$ and s(are yo#r handmaid5 forI have s(o1en rashly and 0i!1edly before yo#.

3ha(ter Eighteen

%>hile Asenath 0as thin1ing on this$ one of -iti(herah4s servants$ ayo#ng boy$ ran in$ and said$ =,ehold$ Yosef the mighty one of Elohim$ is!oming to #sC Even no0$ his forer#nner is on the threshold of the !o#rtyard.

*Asenath hastened5 she !alled her head n#rse and said to her$ =H#rryC

-re(are the (ala!e$ and ma1e ready an e!ellent meal for Yosef$ the mighty oneof Elohim$ 0ho is !oming here todayC

7Her n#rse loo1ed at her$ and realied ho0 her fa!e had fallen from herseven days4 la!1 of food. She be!ame very sad$ and 0e(t5 she 1issed her righthand$ and said$ =>hat is the matter 0ith yo#$ my !hild$ that yo#r fa!e has fallenli1e this?

+Asenath re(lied$ =A heavy heada!he had seied me$ and my eyes losttheir slee(5 that is 0hy fa!e has fallen.

8The n#rse 0ent to (re(are the (ala!e and a meal.

Asenath remembered the man and his orders$ and "#i!1ly entered herinner room$ 0here the !hests of her ornaments 0ere 1e(t. She o(ened the big!hest and too1 o#t from it her 0edding dress$ the best of the best$ 0hi!h 0as asbrilliant as lightning. She (#t it on$ 9and girded herself 0ith a royal golden

girdle$ ornamented 0ith st#ds. She (#t on her arms and an1les bra!elets of gold$and adorned her ne!1 0ith (re!io#s ornaments$ #(on 0hi!h there 0as a varietyof many (re!io#s stones. She (#t a !ro0n of gold #(on her head$ in front of0hi!h 0as a gem$ and to the right and left of it there 0ere si large (re!io#s andval#able stones. :i1e a tr#e bride$ she (#t a s#mmer veil on her head$ and too1the royal s!e(ter in her hand.

Asenath then remembered 0hat her n#rse had said$ that her !om(leion

loo1ed sad$ and she sighed and gre0 very sad. She said$ =If Yosef sees that myfa!e has gro0n thin$ he 0ill hate meC

;She said to her n#rse$ =,ring me !lean 0ater from the fo#ntain$ and I0ill 0ash my fa!e.


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** THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH

&The n#rse bro#ght her the 0ater and (o#red it into a hand/basin.Asenath$ stoo(ing do0n to 0ash her fa!e$ sa0 her !om(leion in the 0ater$ thatit 0as li1e the s#n$ and her eyes resembled the da0ning of the morning star. Herfootste(s 0ere smooth and gra!ef#l5 her !hee1s 0ere red li1e (ie!es of(omegranate$ and her li(s 0ere li1e a b#dding rose. Her teeth 0ere bea#tif#llyset li1e shield/bearers in 0ar5 her hair 0as li1e a vineyard field f#ll of fr#its$ andher ne!1 0as bea#tif#l li1e a to0er.

%'Asenath$ seeing herself li1e this in the 0ater$ 0as filled 0ith great H$ Elohim of heaven$ has !hosen yo# to be a bride for Yosef. %*

3ha(ter Nineteen

%>hile they 0ere tal1ing$ the servant/boy !ame to Asenath$ andde!lared$ =,eholdC Yosef is at the doors of the !o#rtyardC

*Asenath "#i!1ly 0ent do0n the stairs$ together 0ith the seven virgins$to meet Yosef$ and she sto((ed in the (assage of the (ala!e. 7As soon as Yosefentered the !o#rtyard$ the doors 0ere !losed$ leaving all the strangers to remaino#tside. +Asenath 0ent in to the (assage0ay to meet Yosef. >hen Yosef sa0 herhe 0as str#!1 0ith 0onder by her great bea#ty5 he said to her$ =>ho are yo#?

Tell me$ "#i!1lyC8She re(lied$ =I am Asenath$ yo#r handmaiden5 a!!ording to yo#r

!ommand$ I thre0 o#t and destroyed all my idols. A man !ame today5 he gaveme ,read of ife$ and I ate it$ and I dran1 of the !#( of blessing. He said to me$I 0ill give yo# to Yosef as a bride$ and he 0ill be to yo# as a h#sband foreternity.4 Again$ he said to me$ Yo# 0ill no longer be !alled Asenath$ b#t rather aTo0n of Ref#ge5 for thro#gh yo#$ many generations 0ill ta1e ref#ge in YH>H

the @ost High Elohim.49

Again$ he said$ I 0ill go to Yosef$ and I 0ill tell him0hat I have said abo#t yo#.4 :No0$ my adon$ yo# 1no0 if the man has !ome toyo#$ and 0hether or not he has told yo# these things.

%* Some man#s!ri(ts omit from =Her footste(s 0ere smooth and gra!ef#l... in verse & thro#ghall of verse %%.


25/34

THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH *7

;Yosef said to Asenath$ =Yo# are blessed by YH>H$ the @ost HighElohim5 for YH>H Elohim has raised yo#r 0alls on immovable fo#ndations$ a0all of life$ for many of the sons of men 0ill d0ell in that to0n of ref#ge$ andYH>H Elohim 0ill reign over them for all eternity. &That man !ame to metoday$ and he said these 0ords abo#t yo#. No0 !ome to me$ holy maidenC >hydo yo# sto( so far from me?

%'He raised his hand and s#mmoned for Asenath to !ome near him5Asenath hastened and 0ent near Yosef. She fell on his bosom$ and their so#ls0ere revived$ and 0ere filled 0ith hy do yo# 0ish that another sho#ld 0ash yo#r feet? Yo#r feet areas my feet$ and yo#r body is as my body.

8She (ressed on$ and 0ashed his feet. Yosef loo1ed$ and sa0 that her

hands 0ere li1e the hands of life$ and that her fingers 0ere li1e the (en of aready 0riter. At this$ Yosef too1 her right hand and 1issed it5 Asenath 1issed hishead$ and sat do0n at his right side.

9Her father and mother !ame from their !o#ntry ho#se$ 0ith all theirrelatives. They sa0 that Asenath 0as li1e a vision of light$ and that her bea#tyresembled the bea#ty of heavenly beings. They sa0 that she sat 0ith Yosef$ and0as dressed in 0edding attire. :They 0ere amaed by this$ and 0ere str#!1 0ith

0onder be!a#se of her bea#ty5 they gave than1s to Elohim$ 0ho gives life to allthings.

%7 Some man#s!ri(ts omit verses */%' and most of %%.


26/34

*+ THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH

;After these things$ they ate$ dran1$ and re


27/34

THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH *8

&It !ame to (ass$ after these things$ that Yosef 1ne0 Asenath5 she!on!eived$ and bore @anasseh and Efrayim in the ho#se of Yosef$ to the gloryof Elohim. Amen.

%'I have sinned$ O YH>H5 I have sinned before Yo#$ and have greatlytransgressed. %%I$ Asenath$ am the da#ghter of -oti(herah the (riest of the to0nof Helio(olis$ 0ho is offi!er of the elohim.

%*I have sinned$ O YH>H5 I have sinned before Yo#$ and have!ommitted 0rong. I have 0orshi(ed many elohim$ and have eaten of theirsa!rifi!es.

%7I have sinned$ O YH>H5 I have !ommitted 0rongs. I 0as a (ro#dand ha#ghty maiden.

%+I have sinned$ O YH>H5 I have sinned before Yo#$ and have greatlytransgressed. I have eaten of the strangled meat$ and have dran1 of the !#( ofde!e(tion$ and have eaten at the table of death.

%8I have sinned$ O YH>H5 I have sinned before Yo#$ and have greatly

transgressed. I did not 1no0 YH>H$ the Elohim of heaven$ and did not (#tmy ho(e in @ost High Elohim$ the Eternally iving One.

%9I have sinned$ O YH>H5 I have sinned before Yo#$ and have greatlytransgressed. I 0as (ro#d and ha#ghty$ tr#sting in the greatness of my o0n gloryand bea#ty.

%:I have sinned$ O YH>H5 I have sinned before yo#$ and have greatlytransgressed. I des(ised all men$ and there has been no one 0hom I have val#ed.

%;I have sinned$ O YH>H5 I have sinned before Yo#$ and have greatlytransgressed. I de!lared there to be no (rin!e #(on the earth 0ho !o#ld loosenthe girdle of my virginity.

%&I have sinned$ O YH>H5 I have sinned before Yo#$ and have greatlytransgressed. I have hated all 0ho 0o#ld ta1e me as a bride$ and have bothdes(ised and disdained them.

*'I have sinned$ O YH>H5 I have sinned before Yo#$ and have greatlytransgressed. I !onsidered myself to be the bride of -haraoh4s eldest son5 forgiveme for thisC


28/34

*9 THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH

*%=>hen Yosef$ the mighty one of Elohim$ !ame$ he !on"#ered me$and bro#ght me do0n from my ha#ghtiness. He enti!ed me 0ith his bea#ty$ andthro#gh his 0isdom he !a#sed me to be obedient5 he !a#ght me li1e a fish in anet. **Thro#gh his s(irit$ he has !a#sed made me drin1 of the Drin1 of ife$and thro#gh his (o0er he !onfirmed me$ and offered me to the Eternal Elohim.He gave the ,read of ife to me to eat$ and the 3#( of Immortality to drin1$and I have be!ome his bride forever.

3ha(ter 0enty/ 0o

%After the seven years of (lenty !ame to an end$ the seven years offamine began.

*Ya4a1ov heard abo#t Yosef his son$ and he !ame into Egy(t 0ith all hisho#sehold$ on the t0enty/first day of Nisan in the se!ond year of the famine$and he settled in the land of 6oshen. 7Asenath said to Yosef$ =I 0ill go and seeyo#r father$ for yo#r father Ya4a1ov is li1e my father.

+

Yosef re(lied$ =Yes/ !ome 0ith me to see my father.8Yosef and Asenath 0ent into the land of 6oshen$ 0here they 0ere met

by Yosef 4s brothers. They bo0ed do0n before Yosef and Asenath 0ith their fa!esto0ard the gro#nd$ es(e!ially before Asenath. %+9Yosef and Asenath 0ent to seeYa4a1ov as he sat on his bed5 he 0as gray/haired$ and very old. :Asenath 0asamaed 0hen she sa0 him$ for altho#gh he 0as old$ he had a res(e!tablea((earan!e$ and in his old age he loo1ed as handsome as an attra!tive yo#ng

man. His hair 0as as 0hite as sno0$ and very short$ stiff$ and !#rly5 his beard 0as0hite and gra!ef#l$ lying on his !hest5 and His eyes 0ere f#ll of tenderness$shining and handsome. His !hest$ sho#lders$ arms$ and fingers 0ere strong li1ethose of an angel5 his hi(s legs 0ere li1e those of a giant. ;Ya4a1ov loo1ed li1e aman 0ho !o#ld 0restle 0ith Elohim Himself. Asenath 0as amaed 0hen shesa0 him5 she bo0ed do0n before him 0ith her fa!e to0ard the gro#nd$ and hadreveren!e for him.

Ya4a1ov said to Yosef$ =Is this my da#ghter/in/la0$ yo#r 0ife? @ay shebe blessed by the @ost High Elohim.

%+ Some man#s!ri(ts omit verses 9/&.


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THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH *:

&He !alled her !lose to him$ and 1issed her$ and blessed her. Asenathstret!hed o#t her hands and !las(ed her hands aro#nd Ya4a1ov4s ne!1 li1e one0ho$ after having been res!#ed from a battle$ ret#rned to her home$ and !astherself #(on her o0n father. %'After0ard they ate and dran1$ and Yosef andAsenath ret#rned to their home5 they gave (raise to Elohim$ 0ho is blessedforever.

%%The sons of eah$ Yosef 4s brothers$ 0ent 0ith them to (rote!t andes!ort them5 b#t the sons of Jil(ah and ,ilhah$ the handmaids of eah andRa!hel$ did not go 0ith them$ for they envied Yosef and Asenath as enemies. %8

%*

evi 0al1ed on Asenath4s right side$ and Yosef 0al1ed on her left side$and %7Asenath held evi by the hand. She loved evi more than all Yosef 4s otherbrothers$ be!a#se evi 0as a!"#ainted 0ith the se!ret mysteries of the @ostHigh$ 0hi!h he revealed to her mysterio#s 0ords. evi felt a great affe!tion forAsenath5 he sa0 her resting (la!e in heaven$ and its 0alls 0ere immovable$ and itsfo#ndations 0ere of stone.

3ha(ter 0enty/ hree

%It !ame to (ass$ 0hen Yosef and Asenath 0ere 0al1ing$ that -haraoh4soldest son sa0 them from the 0alls$ and be!ame very #nha((y5 *he 0as grievedbe!a#se of Asenath4s bea#ty$ and said$ =This m#st not beC

7-haraoh4s son sent messengers to !all Shim4on and evi to him5 they!ame and (resented themselves before him. -haraoh4s son said to them$ =I

a!1no0ledge this day that yo# t0o are the most (o0erf#l men in the 0orld$ forthro#gh yo#r right hands the to0n of She!hem 0as destroyed$ and by yo#r t0os0ords thirty tho#sand 0arriors 0ere slain. +,ehold$ I 0ill !onsider yo# as myfriends$ and 0ill give yo# gold$ servants$ handmaidens$ ho#ses$ and many good(ossessions5 I as1 that yo# deal 1indly 0ith me$ and do 0hat I am abo#t to as1. Ihave been offended and des(ised by yo#r brother Yosef$ be!a#se he too1Asenath$ 0ho 0as betrothed to be my 0ife from the beginning. 83ome$ andfight against yo#r brother Yosef5 I 0ill 1ill him 0ith my s0ord$ and I 0ill ta1e

Asenath to be my 0ife. Yo# 0ill be!ome my brothers$ my favorite friends$ my!onfidants5 all I as1 is that yo# do this for me. 9,#t if yo# hesitate$ and yo#des(ise my !ommand$ beholdC @y s0ord is ready for yo#. In saying this$ he

%8 Some man#s!ri(ts omit from =b#t the sons of Jil(ah and ,ilhah... thro#gh =...they enviedYosef and Asenath as enemies.


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dre0 his s0ord to sho0 it to them.

>hen Shim4on and evi heard these things$ they 0ere very tro#bled$ for

-haraoh4s son s(o1e to them 0ith threats and arrogan!e. :Shim4on$ a rash andbold man$ tho#ght to (#t his hand to the hilt of his o0n s0ord$ so as to dra0 ito#t of its s!abbard and 1ill -haraoh4s son for having s(o1en to them ro#ghly.;evi$ ho0ever$ 1ne0 the tho#ght of his heart$ for evi 0as a (ro(het5 in the(#rity of his mind sa0 se!rets$ and 0ith his o0n eyes he !o#ld read 0hat 0as0ritten in the hearts of men. He stom(ed his foot #(on the right foot ofShim4on$ and motioned to him to restrain his anger. &He 0his(ered to Shim4on$=>hy do yo# give in to yo#r anger against this man? >e are (io#s (eo(le5 it is

not fitting for #s to re(ay his evil 0ith evil of o#r o0n.%'>ith no 0rath in his heart$ be!a#se he 0as a gentle man$ evi s(o1e

alo#d to -haraoh4s son$ =>hy do yo#$ o#r $ s(ea1 to #s li1e this? >e are (io#smen$ and o#r father is beloved of the @ost High Elohim$ and this Elohim loveso#r brother Yosef. %%Ho0 !an 0e do this evil thing$ to sin before o#r Elohim$before Ya4a1ov o#r father$ and before Yosef o#r brother? %*isten to my 0ords.It is not ordinarily fitting for a (io#s man to !a#se harm anyone in any 0ay5 b#t

if someone sho#ld in


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THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH *&

3ha(ter 0enty/Fo#r

%-haraoh4s son 0as filled 0ith fear and sorro0$ for he 0as afraid ofShim4on and evi. He 0as o((ressed and veed by Asenath4s bea#ty$ and 0astormented by bo#ndless affli!tion. *His servants s(o1e to him$ and said$ =Thesons of ,ilhah and the sons of Jil(ah$ the handmaidens of Ya4a1ov$ are enemiesto Yosef and Asenath5 they are envio#s of them$ and 0ill do a!!ording to yo#r(lan.

7-haraoh4s son sent messengers to !all for them. >hen nighttime fell$they !ame to (resent themselves before him. -haraoh4s son said to them$ =I havesomething I m#st say to yo#$ for yo# are mighty men of valor.

+Dan and 6ad$ the older brothers$ res(onded$ and said$ =et o#r adons(ea1 no0$ and 0e$ yo#r servants$ 0ill listen and do a!!ording to yo#r 0ill.

8-haraoh4s son 0as filled 0ith great


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%7-haraoh4s son said to them$ =I 0ill slay my father -haraoh tonight$ for

he is also the father of Yosef. 6ive me yo#r hel(5 for I 0ill go before yo#$ andyo# 0ill slay Yosef. I 0ill ta1e Asenath for my 0ife$ and yo# and yo#r brothers0ill be!ome heirs 0ith me if yo# as I !ommand.

%+Dan and 6ad said to him$ =>e are yo#r servants today$ and 0e 0illdo 0hat yo# have !ommanded #s. #st today 0e have heard Yosef say to Asenath$6o home to o#r !o#ntry tomorro0$ for it is vintage time.4 He gave her sih#ndred valiant 0arriors$ and fifty forer#nners. No0 listen to #s$ and let #s

s(ea1 0ith yo#.%8

So they s(o1e 0ith him se!retly.-haraoh4s son gave to all of the fo#r brothers seven tho#sand men$ and

a((ointed them as !hiefs and leaders. %9Dan and 6ad said to him$ =>e 0ill gotonight and 0ill 0at!h the broo1$ and 0ill hide o#rselves among the thi!1nessof the reeds. %:Ta1e fifty ar!hers 0ith yo# on horses$ and go on afar$ for Asenath0ill !ome and fall into o#r hands. >e 0ill destroy the soldiers that are 0ith her5%;she 0ill then flee in her !arriage$ and 0ill fall into yo#r hands$ and yo# may do

0ith her a!!ording to the desires of yo#r heart.

%&

After this 0e 0ill slay Yosef 4s!hildren before his eyes$ and then 0e 0ill slay him 0hile he is mo#rning forAsenath.

*'-haraoh4s son rehat do yo# 0ant$ o#r ?

*-haraoh4s son said to them$ =I 0ant to see my father$ as I am going to

gather gra(es from the ne0ly (lanted vineyard. 7The g#ards said to him$ =Yo#rfather is s#ffering a heada!he$ and has not sle(t the 0hole night$ and altho#ghthe the (ain has some0hat s#bsided$ he has said$ Do not let anyone !ome nearto me.4


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THEHISTORYOFYOSEFANDASENATH 7%

+-haraoh4s son 0ent and too1 his soldiers$ and laid an amb#sh. %:

8>hen Asenath a((roa!hed in a !hariot$ and soldiers 0ent before it and

behind it$ and the enemies/ Dan$ 6ad$ and -haraoh4s son/ lea(ed forth fromtheir hiding (la!e to atta!1 them.

9As soon as Asenath sa0 them she !alled #(on the @ost High Elohim$and beholdC The man of Elohim that had (revio#sly !ome to Asenath a((eared$and YH>H too1 her #nder His (rote!tion. The s0ords of the enemies 0ereshattered$ and all their 0ea(ons melted as 0a before the fire. :-haraoh4s son fellto the gro#nd before Asenath as if he 0as dead 0hen he heard that the sons of

Ya4a1ov 0ere !oming in anger.

3ha(ter 0enty/Si.

%Dan and 6ad$ seeing that YH>H 0as fighting$ be!ame afraid$ andsaid$ =It is YH>H 0ho fights against #sC *They fell do0n before Asenath$ andsaid to her$ =Yo#$ O lady$ are o#r "#een$ and 0e have !ommitted ini"#ity before

yo#$7

and YH>H has re(aid #s a!!ording to o#r deeds. >e$ yo#r servants$besee!h yo#5 be mer!if#l to #s$ and save #s from the hands of o#r brothersC Theyhave !ome to #s to ta1e vengean!e #(on their enemies$ and their s0ords arebefore o#r eyes.

+Asenath said$ =,e of good !omfort$ and do not fear yo#r brothers$ forthey are (eo(le 0ho fear YH>H5 they are (io#s$ and res(e!t every man. 86o$hide in the thi!1ness of the reeds$ #ntil I am able to !alm their anger$ for yo#

have been very foolish and re!1less against them.9

,e of good !o#rage$ and donot fear5 let YH>H be the


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is YH>H 0ho has fo#ght for #s. S(are them$ for they are yo#r brothers5 theyare the blood of Yisra4el$ yo#r father.

%*Shim4on said to her$ =>hy does o#r lady s(ea1 good 0ords for o#renemies? %7et it not be so5 rather$ let #s destroy them 0ith o#r s0ords. For thisis the third time they have (lotted to !ommit evilC First it 0as against o#rbrother$ Yosef5 then against o#r father$ Yisra4el5 and no0 against yo#$ o#r ladyand o#r "#een.

%+Asenath stret!hed o#t her hand$ and too1 hold of his beard. Sheembra!ed him$ and said$ =et it not be so$ my brother5 do not render evil for

evil$ for that 0ill be a sin against YH>H. They are yo#r brothers$ and sons ofyo#r father5 they have fled far a0ay from yo#r (resen!e.

%8evi dre0 near and 1issed her hand5 %9he #nderstood that sheintended to save their brothers 0ho 0ere hiding in the thi!1ets of the reeds. eviand his brothers 1ne0 that she did not dis!lose 0here they had been hiding forfear that they might slay them in their anger.

3ha(ter 0enty/Seven

%-haraoh4s son arose from the gro#nd and sat #($ 0ith blood flo0ingo#t of his ears and mo#th. *,inyamin ran to0ard him 0ith his s0ord dra0n$7(re(ared to (l#nge it into his !hest to 1ill him5 b#t evi too1 hold of his hand$and said$ =@y brother$ do not do thisC >e are (io#s men$ and it is not fitting fora (io#s man to re(ay evil for evil. It is not (ermitted to tram(le on an enemy

0ho has fallen$ or to harass an enemy to the (oint of death. No0 (#t ba!1 yo#rs0ord$ and !ome and hel( meC +et #s !#re his 0o#nds so that he may live$ andbe o#r friend from this day on0ard5 for -haraoh is as o#r father.

8evi raised #( -haraoh4s son$ and 0i(ed the blood from his fa!e$ and0ra((ed his fa!e in a hand1er!hief. evi (la!ed him on his horse$ and !arriedhim to his father -haraoh$ 9to 0hom he told everything that had trans(ired.:-haraoh arose from his throne and bo0ed do0n before evi.

;-haraoh4s son then died on the third day$ having been stri!1en by a(#nishment from Elohim.

Documents

The History of Yosef and Asenath