Jubilees 45:1
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
Jacob called his sons and they came to him. He blessed them and told them what would happen in the last days.
REF And Jacob called his sons and blessed them.
Translator's Introduction
What This Chapter Is About
Jacob dies. Joseph carries his body to Canaan. Burial at Machpelah. The sacred books pass to Levi.
What Makes This Chapter Remarkable
Six patriarchs and matriarchs rest in the double cave — the physical anchor of the covenant promise.
Translation Friction
Jubilees abbreviates Jacob's blessing of the twelve tribes almost entirely — possibly because Genesis 49:5-7 curses Simeon and Levi.
Connections
Genesis 49-50; Genesis 23 (Machpelah); Jubilees 36:5-6.
Jubilees 45:2
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
He charged them: Bury me in the cave of Machpelah, in the field Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hittite.
REF And he charged them: 'Bury me in the cave of Machpelah.'
Jubilees 45:3
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
He finished his charge, drew his feet up onto the bed, and died. He was gathered to his fathers.
REF And he drew up his feet and died.
Jubilees 45:4
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
Joseph fell upon his father's face, wept over him, and kissed him.
REF And Joseph wept upon him and kissed him.
Jubilees 45:5
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
The days of weeping were seventy days. Joseph commanded the physicians to embalm his father.
REF And they embalmed Israel, and mourned seventy days.
Jubilees 45:6
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
Joseph went up to bury his father in Canaan. All the servants of Pharaoh and the elders of Egypt went with him.
REF And Joseph went up to bury his father.
Jubilees 45:7
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
They buried Jacob in the double cave, beside Abraham, Isaac, Sarah, Rebekah, and Leah.
REF And they buried Jacob at Machpelah, beside Abraham, Isaac, Sarah, Rebekah, and Leah.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
- Six burials at Machpelah — the most sacred site in the patriarchal tradition.
Jubilees 45:8
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and everyone who had gone up for the burial.
REF And Joseph returned to Egypt.
Jubilees 45:9
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
Joseph lived in Egypt and all his brothers lived with him. They kept their father's charge.
REF And they dwelt in Egypt and kept their father's command.
Jubilees 45:10
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
Judah advised Joseph that each brother should live peacefully with the others. They lived in peace.
REF And Judah counselled peace.
Jubilees 45:11
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
Jacob had given all his books and the books of his fathers to Levi, to preserve and transmit to his descendants.
REF And Jacob gave all his books to Levi.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
- The chain: Abraham to Isaac to Jacob to Levi.
Jubilees 45:12
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
Jacob was one hundred and forty-seven years old — two jubilees, one week, and two years — when he died.
REF And Jacob was one hundred and forty-seven years old.
Jubilees 45:13
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
In his lifetime he experienced much suffering, but from the day he entered Egypt until his death, all was peace and joy.
REF And in his life he saw much evil, but from the day he went to Egypt, all was peace.
Jubilees 45:14
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
He died in Egypt and was buried in the double cave in Canaan.
REF And he was buried in the double cave.
Jubilees 45:15
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
He gave all his possessions to Joseph. Joseph ruled in Egypt and was loved by all.
REF And Joseph ruled in Egypt and was loved by all.
Jubilees 45:16
Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions
Joseph, all his brothers, and everyone who had gone up to bury Jacob returned to Egypt. They served the Lord all their days.
REF And they served the Lord all their days.