Why Judah Went Down When Joseph Was Sold to Egypt

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayeshev 11:3

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

Another interpretation: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8). As for Joseph, his brothers sold him to the Medanites, and the Medanites sold him to Egypt. Before Joseph went down, Judah went down to prepare the final redeemer, that is, the King Messiah [for from him would come forth the King Messiah]. It is not written here "And Judah went," but rather "And Judah went down" (Genesis 38:1). Rabbi Yochanan said: A going-down was joined to a going-down, the going-down of Joseph to the going-down of Judah; "And Joseph was brought down to Egypt" (Genesis 39:1) and "And Judah went down" (Genesis 38:1). In a like manner you say: "On that very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain" (Daniel 5:30). What is written after it? "And Darius the Mede received the kingdom" (Daniel 6:1). A cutter-off was joined to a cutter-off, a destroyer of a House to a destroyer of a House, and the cessation of a kingdom to the cessation of a kingdom.

Themes

Divine ProvidenceTribesJosephEgyptKings

Biblical References

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