The Wolf and the Lamb as Benjamin and the Tribes Reunited

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayigash 9:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation (of Isaiah 65:25): "The wolf and the lamb shall feed together." The wolf — this is Benjamin, as it is said (Genesis 49:27): "Benjamin is a ravenous wolf." And the lamb — these are the tribes, as it is said (Jeremiah 50:17): "Israel is a scattered sheep, etc." "They shall feed together" — when? When Benjamin went down with them. For Jacob had said (Genesis 42:38): "My son shall not go down with you." Once the time arrived and he went down with them, they placed him in their midst and guarded him. And so Joseph (Genesis 43:29): "lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, etc." "The lion" — this is Judah, as it is said (Genesis 49:9): "Judah is a lion's whelp." "Like the ox" — this is Joseph, as it is said (Deuteronomy 33:17): "His firstling bullock, majesty is his." "Shall eat straw" — that they were found eating as one, as it is said (Genesis 43:33): "And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright." Therefore, "and Judah he sent before him" (Genesis 46:28).

Themes

BenjaminAnimalsTribesHeresyPatriarchs

Biblical References

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