ly with the king, and had
intrusted to his care almost all his affairs, he did not think any thing
he was told to be incredible, considering the greatness of the works of
God, and his kindness to him, although that kindness had, for some late
times, been intermitted; so he immediately and zealously set out upon
his journey to him.

2. When he came to the Well of the Oath, [Beersheba,] he offered
sacrifice to God; and being afraid that the happiness there was in Egypt
might tempt his posterity to fall in love with it, and settle in it, and
no more think of removing into the land of Canaan, and possessing it, as
God had promised them; as also being afraid, lest, if this descent into
Egypt were made without the will of God, his family might be destroyed
there; out of fear, withal, lest he should depart this life before he
came to the sight of Joseph; he fell asleep, revolving these doubts in
his mind.

3. But God stood by him, and called him twice by his name; and when he
asked who he was, God said, "No, sure; it is not just that thou, Jacob,
shouldst be unacquainted with that God who has been ever a protector
and a helper to thy forefathers, and after them to thyself: for when thy
father would have deprived thee of the dominion, I gave it thee; and by
my kindness it was that, when thou wast sent into Mesopotamia all alone,
thou obtainedst good wives, and returnedst with many children, and much
wealth. Thy whole family also has been preserved by my providence; and
it was I who conducted Joseph, thy son, whom thou gavest up for lost,
to the enjoyment of great prosperity. I also made him lord of Egypt,
so that he differs but little from a king. Accordingly, I come now as a
guide to thee in this journey; and foretell to thee, that thou shalt die
in the arms of Joseph: and I inform thee, that thy posterity shall be
many ages in authority and glory, and that I will settle them in the
land which I have promised them."

4. Jacob, encouraged by this dream, went on more cheerfully for Egypt
with his sons, and all belonging to them. Now they were in all seventy.
I once, indeed, thought it best not to set down the names of this
family, especially because of their difficult pronunciation [by the
Greeks]; but, upon the whole, I think it necessary to mention those
names, that I may disprove such as believe that we came not originally
from Mesopotamia, but are Egyptians. Now Jacob had twelve sons; of these
Joseph was come thither befo