Why Joseph Was Brought Down So Egypt Could Not Taunt Israel

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayeshev 16:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation of "And Joseph was brought down" (Genesis 39:1): What is the meaning of "And Joseph was brought down"? That he kept moving the Egyptians from place to place, just as you say, "And as for the people, he removed them by cities" (Genesis 47:21) — that he would carry them from here and set them down there, so that they would not be able to reproach Israel by calling them exiles, children of exiles.

Themes

EgyptJosephWisdomExile

Biblical References

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