Joseph and Benjamin – Jesus and his Church

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keithr

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There are no replies or comments to Ben Abraham's thread ANI YOSEF! (I am Joseph) Messianic symbolism here? GEN 44:17-47:27, so I thought I would post this article that I wrote 20 years ago, which also comments on the Messianic symbolism of the story of Joseph:

With careful study of the scriptures we realize that even names are significant and often shed light on the deeper meanings of the prophetic scriptures. An example of this is the story of Joseph and Benjamin as told in Genesis 37 – 45. This is a marvellous story on its own, but it is also prophetic of Jesus and his Church, which we are helped to realise when we take note of the meanings of the names recorded.

Genesis 37:3 reads “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours”. The first thing to note is that Israel had twelve sons, born of two wives and two handmaidens of those wives. Rachel was his favourite wife and she bore the last two sons – Joseph and Benjamin. The first ten sons were all born within a short period of about six years, and Joseph was born later, but it was Benjamin who was born much later, when Joseph was seventeen or eighteen. It therefore seems strange that the narrator should say that Israel loved Joseph more because he was born to him in his old age, when Joseph was only a little younger than his brothers, and it was Benjamin who was born much later! It seems to be written this way to bring our attention to Joseph and Benjamin. We should therefore pay more attention to the passage to consider if there is a deeper meaning intended.

It begins to make more sense if we consider that Joseph was symbolic of Jesus, who was born of the nation of Israel in a time far into the future - in its old age. Joseph’s richly ornamented coat could also be considered fit for a prince (the ‘prince of peace’?) or a king (the ‘king of kings’?). If we look at the meaning of the Hebrew word that is translated “many colours” we discover that it could also signify a tunic that reaches to the palms of the hands and to the feet. Such a garment was used as a priest’s garment. In these days before the Levitical priesthood was established it was normally the firstborn son in every household who took on the role of priest, so the fact that Joseph was given this coat could mean that he was given the priest’s role instead (and as a type for Jesus it makes sense that he would have the priest’s role in the family). This may have been the real reason for his brothers’ jealousy of him, if he was given the rights of the firstborn son.

Now let’s examine some names. When Rachel bore Joseph she gave him a name that was not based on his own attributes or uniqueness, but a name in relation to one not yet born, as she anticipated another son - “And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son” (Gen 30:24). Joseph means, “Jehovah has added”, or “add thou Jehovah”. So this name gives Joseph an association with Benjamin, the son that God added to Rachel.

Benjamin’s birth and naming is also given particular emphasis in Gen 35:18 – “And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin”. Benoni means, “son of my sorrow” (appropriate as she was in pain and dying), whereas Benjamin means, “son of the right hand”. This is very interesting when considered in connection with the meaning of Rachel’s name, which means “ewe”, a female sheep. So this sheep died, or was sacrificed, in order to give birth to the “son of my sorrow”. This seems to point forward to the sacrifice of Jesus as the Lamb of God who had to die in order to bring forth the Christian Church. The right hand seems to primarily denote blessing, and Christians are indeed a blessed people, e.g. “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered” (Rom 4:7), “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years” (Rev 20:6).

Continuing in Genesis 37 we read how Joseph had two dreams, which they interpreted as meaning that his family would all come to bow down before him. Joseph’s brothers did eventually bow before him (42:6, 43:26,28), as did all of Egypt (41:43). This is symbolic of the Scriptures that say that everyone shall bow before Jesus, i.e. Jesus shall be ruler over everyone – “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth” (Philippians 2:9,10).

Verse 28 says “they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt”. This typifies the 30 pieces of silver for which Christ was sold; 30 pieces being the price of a slave, or 20 pieces if the slave was under 20 years of age, as in Joseph's case (verse 2 says he was seventeen). The lifting of Joseph up out of the pit typifies Jesus’ resurrection from the grave, Egypt is here symbolic of heaven (where Jesus went after his resurrection), and the Pharaoh (which means “the sun-god”) is symbolic of God. Bear this in mind while reading Gen 41:38-46:

38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. 41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. 42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; 43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. 44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. 45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. 46 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Compare this with Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth”. And note also that just as Joseph was 30 years old when he stood before Pharaoh, so Jesus was 30 years old when he began his earthly ministry.

[To be continued.]
 

keithr

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[Continuing...]

The name Asenath, the wife that Pharaoh (God) gave to Joseph (Jesus), means "gift of the sun-god", and Asenath’s father’s name, Potipherah, means “he whom the sun-god gave”. The name that the Pharaoh gave Joseph, Zaphnathpaaneah, has been variously interpreted as, “treasury of the glorious rest”, “creator”, “preserver of life”, or “a revealer of secrets”, all of which are applicable to Jesus.

In Gen 42 when his 10 brothers appear before Joseph they do not recognise him. Joseph pretended to be a stranger and spoke to them in Egyptian through an interpreter. Compare this with when Jesus presented himself before his brothers (the nation of Israel) that they didn’t recognise him for who he was. Jesus spoke to them in the “language of heaven”, speaking in parables which they didn’t understand. Joseph didn’t give his brother’s the food they wanted, but he disciplined them by placing them in prison for three days. Consider their response in verses 21 & 22 (NIV):

21 They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come upon us”. 22 Reuben replied, “Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn't listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood”.

Since they didn’t recognise Joseph as their brother, why would they have been convinced that the punishment from this stranger was related to their sin against their brother over 20 years earlier? It seems that God is making this prophetic passage point out that the reason for the discipline, or punishment, that was to come upon Jesus’ brothers was because they did not recognise him, and because they were accountable for Jesus’ blood. Compare with Matthew 27:25, “Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children”.

After hearing his brothers’ confession, Joseph bound up Simeon. Simeon means “hearing”. So the brothers were sent away without Simeon, without “hearing”. This prophecy indicates why Israel is unable to hear and understand God’s word, and that it’s a consequence of not recognising Jesus. Consider Luke 19:41-44 and Romans 11:7-8 (NIV):

41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace - but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognise the time of God's coming to you”.

7 What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, 8 as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day”.

The brothers had come to Joseph with silver to buy grain, but when they returned with the grain the silver was secretly returned to their sacks. The grain represents salvation, which cannot be bought, but is freely given as a gift.

After the brothers departed, Benjamin (typifying the Church) was brought to Egypt (heaven). However, there was a delay in bringing Benjamin back. Note Gen 43:10 (NRSV), “If we had not delayed, we would now have returned twice”. This delay of “twice” the time it took to travel to Egypt represents the almost two thousand years since Jesus was rejected by the Israelites (and indicates there’s possibly only about 10 years left to wait!).

When Joseph finally saw Benjamin he said to him, “God be gracious unto thee, my son”, and during a meal he gave him five times the food that the other brothers had. And God has been gracious to us in this age of grace, and our reward in heaven will be greater than that of non-Christians.
 
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Robert Gwin

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[Continuing...]

The name Asenath, the wife that Pharaoh (God) gave to Joseph (Jesus), means "gift of the sun-god", and Asenath’s father’s name, Potipherah, means “he whom the sun-god gave”. The name that the Pharaoh gave Joseph, Zaphnathpaaneah, has been variously interpreted as, “treasury of the glorious rest”, “creator”, “preserver of life”, or “a revealer of secrets”, all of which are applicable to Jesus.

In Gen 42 when his 10 brothers appear before Joseph they do not recognise him. Joseph pretended to be a stranger and spoke to them in Egyptian through an interpreter. Compare this with when Jesus presented himself before his brothers (the nation of Israel) that they didn’t recognise him for who he was. Jesus spoke to them in the “language of heaven”, speaking in parables which they didn’t understand. Joseph didn’t give his brother’s the food they wanted, but he disciplined them by placing them in prison for three days. Consider their response in verses 21 & 22 (NIV):

21 They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come upon us”. 22 Reuben replied, “Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn't listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood”.

Since they didn’t recognise Joseph as their brother, why would they have been convinced that the punishment from this stranger was related to their sin against their brother over 20 years earlier? It seems that God is making this prophetic passage point out that the reason for the discipline, or punishment, that was to come upon Jesus’ brothers was because they did not recognise him, and because they were accountable for Jesus’ blood. Compare with Matthew 27:25, “Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children”.

After hearing his brothers’ confession, Joseph bound up Simeon. Simeon means “hearing”. So the brothers were sent away without Simeon, without “hearing”. This prophecy indicates why Israel is unable to hear and understand God’s word, and that it’s a consequence of not recognising Jesus. Consider Luke 19:41-44 and Romans 11:7-8 (NIV):

41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace - but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognise the time of God's coming to you”.

7 What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, 8 as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day”.

The brothers had come to Joseph with silver to buy grain, but when they returned with the grain the silver was secretly returned to their sacks. The grain represents salvation, which cannot be bought, but is freely given as a gift.

After the brothers departed, Benjamin (typifying the Church) was brought to Egypt (heaven). However, there was a delay in bringing Benjamin back. Note Gen 43:10 (NRSV), “If we had not delayed, we would now have returned twice”. This delay of “twice” the time it took to travel to Egypt represents the almost two thousand years since Jesus was rejected by the Israelites (and indicates there’s possibly only about 10 years left to wait!).

When Joseph finally saw Benjamin he said to him, “God be gracious unto thee, my son”, and during a meal he gave him five times the food that the other brothers had. And God has been gracious to us in this age of grace, and our reward in heaven will be greater than that of non-Christians.
Many early things foreshadow future events in the Bible Keith. Joseph can be a symbol for Jesus in a way. He was definitely used by God to bring His people forward in fulfillment of His first prophecy.
 

David in NJ

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[Continuing...]

The name Asenath, the wife that Pharaoh (God) gave to Joseph (Jesus), means "gift of the sun-god", and Asenath’s father’s name, Potipherah, means “he whom the sun-god gave”. The name that the Pharaoh gave Joseph, Zaphnathpaaneah, has been variously interpreted as, “treasury of the glorious rest”, “creator”, “preserver of life”, or “a revealer of secrets”, all of which are applicable to Jesus.

In Gen 42 when his 10 brothers appear before Joseph they do not recognise him. Joseph pretended to be a stranger and spoke to them in Egyptian through an interpreter. Compare this with when Jesus presented himself before his brothers (the nation of Israel) that they didn’t recognise him for who he was. Jesus spoke to them in the “language of heaven”, speaking in parables which they didn’t understand. Joseph didn’t give his brother’s the food they wanted, but he disciplined them by placing them in prison for three days. Consider their response in verses 21 & 22 (NIV):

21 They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come upon us”. 22 Reuben replied, “Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn't listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood”.

Since they didn’t recognise Joseph as their brother, why would they have been convinced that the punishment from this stranger was related to their sin against their brother over 20 years earlier? It seems that God is making this prophetic passage point out that the reason for the discipline, or punishment, that was to come upon Jesus’ brothers was because they did not recognise him, and because they were accountable for Jesus’ blood. Compare with Matthew 27:25, “Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children”.

After hearing his brothers’ confession, Joseph bound up Simeon. Simeon means “hearing”. So the brothers were sent away without Simeon, without “hearing”. This prophecy indicates why Israel is unable to hear and understand God’s word, and that it’s a consequence of not recognising Jesus. Consider Luke 19:41-44 and Romans 11:7-8 (NIV):

41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace - but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognise the time of God's coming to you”.

7 What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, 8 as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day”.

The brothers had come to Joseph with silver to buy grain, but when they returned with the grain the silver was secretly returned to their sacks. The grain represents salvation, which cannot be bought, but is freely given as a gift.

After the brothers departed, Benjamin (typifying the Church) was brought to Egypt (heaven). However, there was a delay in bringing Benjamin back. Note Gen 43:10 (NRSV), “If we had not delayed, we would now have returned twice”. This delay of “twice” the time it took to travel to Egypt represents the almost two thousand years since Jesus was rejected by the Israelites (and indicates there’s possibly only about 10 years left to wait!).

When Joseph finally saw Benjamin he said to him, “God be gracious unto thee, my son”, and during a meal he gave him five times the food that the other brothers had. And God has been gracious to us in this age of grace, and our reward in heaven will be greater than that of non-Christians.

EXCELLENT keithr

i see Benjamin a little differently.

Since Benjamin was not brought to Joseph until 'Second Coming' whereby Joseph revealed himself to his brethren according to the flesh.

Romans ch8 = i believe this is where Benjamin is found.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
 

Taken

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@keithr

Interesting and appreciate your study effort and sharing.

I see the foreshadowing....of mens behaviors, which can NOT prevent Gods WILL.

* Jacob being tricked, endured heart-ache, yet with patience of Jacob,
Gods will prevailed.
* Joseph being tricked, endured heart-ache, yet with circumstances and blessing from God, Gods will prevailed.
* Jacob’s son with Rachel, YEARS LATER, Jacob enduring heart-ache of Rachel’s death, yet Gods will of Joseph’s life preserved....and Benjamin’s life preserved.

The Earth was given to men taken out of the Earth, to have dominance over the Earth (Every mans habitat/estate).

* (A) Some Earthly men, WANT Control over ALL the Earth, and EVERY inhabitant OF the Earth, AGAINST the inhabitants WILL.
* (B) Some Earthy men, WANT Control over THEIR portion of the Earth, and THEIR household inhabitants, UNTIL such time, the inhabitants of THEIR household LEAVE their daddy’s household, and establish their OWN household and inhabitants.

* (A) Is effected BY men who secretly plot, scheme, trick, lie, cheat...
....men “OF” this world.
* (B) Is effected BY men who endure the hardships, (of scheming lying men), are patient, TRUST Gods will will prevail.
...men “IN” this world, “OF” God.

Speaking to the Time-line, Jacob waiting, laboring, patient, to have Rachel be his wife.....having son after son after son...waiting, patient, for Rachel to bare children....Gods Will prevailed.



Glory to God,
Taken
 
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Wrangler

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It seems to be written this way to bring our attention to Joseph and Benjamin. We should therefore pay more attention to the passage to consider if there is a deeper meaning intended.

It begins to make more sense if we consider that Joseph was symbolic of Jesus
Sad "reading into" text whatever one wants.

Genesis is primarily a history book. While there may be parallels among heroes, generally, there is no basis to suppose one hero or God's anointed was symbolic of another hero or God's anointed.

Joseph and Benjamin happen to be the children from the only wife Jacob actually wanted. Joseph, being the first born of his beloved wife, it is understandable that he'd favor Joseph.

As Freud said, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. And also that explains why there was no response to the Ben Abraham's thread ANI YOSEF! (I am Joseph) Messianic symbolism here? GEN 44:17-47:27.
 

keithr

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Sad "reading into" text whatever one wants.
I have just read elsewhere that the name that the Pharaoh gave Joseph, Zaphnath-Paaneah, means 'bread of life'. That's another allusion to Jesus, who said "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35). That article also says:

Joseph was an interpreter for God. In him we see shadowed forth God's purposes in Christ. Like our Lord, he was his father's beloved son. He was sent by his father to visit his brothers on an errand of love; so Jesus was sent. He was seized by his brothers and sold by them for silver; so was the Son of God. Through his bondage and humiliation he became the deliverer, the savior in an earthly sense, of his brothers and of the world; Jesus crucified became the Savior of the whole human family. Joseph as an interpreter for God was again typical of Christ, the great Interpreter. In the largest sense Jesus is the interpreter who alone has made plain the nature and the will of God. It is only in Christ that we can know God. "No man bath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him." As Jesus walked among men and was asked to reveal the Father, He said, "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father." He was the love of God made visible on the earth. Joseph interpreted men's dreams in which God's words were wrapped up. Jesus made plain and clear the meaning of the divine teachings. The mysteries are dispelled as we sit at Christ's feet. He is the great interpreter for God.​
 

David in NJ

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I have just read elsewhere that the name that the Pharaoh gave Joseph, Zaphnath-Paaneah, means 'bread of life'. That's another allusion to Jesus, who said "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35). That article also says:

Joseph was an interpreter for God. In him we see shadowed forth God's purposes in Christ. Like our Lord, he was his father's beloved son. He was sent by his father to visit his brothers on an errand of love; so Jesus was sent. He was seized by his brothers and sold by them for silver; so was the Son of God. Through his bondage and humiliation he became the deliverer, the savior in an earthly sense, of his brothers and of the world; Jesus crucified became the Savior of the whole human family. Joseph as an interpreter for God was again typical of Christ, the great Interpreter. In the largest sense Jesus is the interpreter who alone has made plain the nature and the will of God. It is only in Christ that we can know God. "No man bath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him." As Jesus walked among men and was asked to reveal the Father, He said, "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father." He was the love of God made visible on the earth. Joseph interpreted men's dreams in which God's words were wrapped up. Jesus made plain and clear the meaning of the divine teachings. The mysteries are dispelled as we sit at Christ's feet. He is the great interpreter for God.​

keithr,

Your understanding is 100% correct and remember that the Pearls of Truth given to you will be hated and trampled upon by others.
 
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keithr

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Genesis is primarily a history book. While there may be parallels among heroes, generally, there is no basis to suppose one hero or God's anointed was symbolic of another hero or God's anointed.
How about the basis that Paul gave us an example of how to interpret Old Testament Scripture in Galations 4 (WEB):

(22) For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant, and one by the free woman.​
(23) However, the son by the servant was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.​
(24) These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.​
(25) For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children.​
(26) But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all.​
(27) For it is written, “Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear. Break out and shout, you that don’t travail. For more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a husband.”​
(28) Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.​
(29) But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.​
(30) However what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the servant and her son, for the son of the servant will not inherit with the son of the free woman.”​
(31) So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant, but of the free woman.​
 
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Wrangler

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have just read elsewhere that the name that the Pharaoh gave Joseph, Zaphnath-Paaneah, means 'bread of life'. That's another allusion to Jesus
Except it is not true. From What is the meaning of Zaphenath-Paneah in Genesis 41:45? | GotQuestions.org
  • The exact meaning of Zaphenath-Paneahis unknown, and there is no general agreement among scholars as to its meaning.
  • It is thought that paneah probably refers to “life” or “support of life.”
  • Zaphenath is more difficult.
  • Translating Zaphenathto mean “god speaks” or “says the god”
 

Wrangler

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How about the basis that Paul gave us an example of how to interpret Old Testament Scripture in Galations 4 (WEB):
(22) For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant, and one by the free woman.(23) However, the son by the servant was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.(24) These things contain an allegory,
1st, said Genesis is primarily a history book.

2nd, an allegory is a story, a fictional story - not a synonym for ‘foreshadowing Jesus.’
 

keithr

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keithr

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2nd, an allegory is a story, a fictional story - not a synonym for ‘foreshadowing Jesus.’
An allegory does not have to be a fictional story. It can be a true story, as in the example that Paul gave in Galations 4.
 
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Wrangler

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Yes, as I wrote above, it "has been variously interpreted as" ... and I gave four different interpretations. That later article that I mentioned gave another interpretation. I've no idea which, if any, is correct.
The idea that a translated is correct when there are different senses of a word show the difficulty of translation and the limitation of a word for word thought process.
 

Wrangler

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An allegory does not have to be a fictional story. It can be a true story, as in the example that Paul gave in Galations 4.
Yes, an allegory most definitely must be a fictional story. And I think we talked about this before. From Definition of ALLEGORY

allegory​

noun

al·le·go·ry ˈa-lə-ˌgȯr-ē

pluralallegories
Synonyms of allegory
1
: the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence

It is a modern false dichotomy that just because a story is fictional means it is NOT true. The ancients recognized the validity of truth EVEN IF the story was fictional.
 

keithr

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Yes, an allegory most definitely must be a fictional story. And I think we talked about this before. From Definition of ALLEGORY
And yet Paul used true facts as an allegory. Wikipedia states:

As a literary device or artistic form, an allegory is a narrative or visual representation in which a character, place, or event can be interpreted to represent a hidden meaning with moral or political significance.​

and it states that a narrative:

A narrative, story, or tale is any account of a series of related events or experiences, whether nonfictional or fictional.​

The Cambridge Bible notes comment on Galations 4:24 :

which things are an allegory] Rather, ‘Now all these things may be regarded as an allegory’. The facts are historical, but they are types (1Cor. 10:11) calculated and intended to teach great spiritual truths, and they have their counterparts in the facts (equally historical) of the Gospel dispensation. We generally regard an allegory as a fictitious narrative. It may be so, as Bunyan’s Pilgrims’ Progress; but there is no indication in St Paul’s language that he dissented from the common belief among the Jews that the narrative in Genesis was historical[29].​
[29] Dr Johnson defines an allegory as ‘a figurative discourse in which something other is intended than is contained in the words literally taken’. By the examples which he gives he seems to confound it with ‘a metaphor’.​

1 Corinthians 10:11 (WEB):
(11) Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.​
 

Wrangler

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And yet Paul used true facts as an allegory.
One can use true facts to tell a fictional story. Most movies are 'based on a true story' but then depart dramatically at times.

I gave you the definition of an allegory meaning it necessarily is a fictional story. Your own source does not even claim an allegory is a non-fiction story. A man forced to change his mind is of the same opinion still.
 

keithr

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One can use true facts to tell a fictional story. Most movies are 'based on a true story' but then depart dramatically at times.

I gave you the definition of an allegory meaning it necessarily is a fictional story. Your own source does not even claim an allegory is a non-fiction story. A man forced to change his mind is of the same opinion still.
Regardless of the semantics, in response to your statement:

Genesis is primarily a history book. While there may be parallels among heroes, generally, there is no basis to suppose one hero or God's anointed was symbolic of another hero or God's anointed.​

Pauls' method of interpretation of the Scriptures in Galations 4 is a valid basis to suppose that Joseph was a type for Jesus. As it says in the webpage Allegory - Writing Techniques:

Allegorical interpretation was also dominant amongst early Jewish, Islamic and Christian scholars who tried to uncover deep hidden meanings within spiritual texts.​
 

keithr

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Invention. Gal 4 does not assert that Joseph was a type of Jesus. Carry on wayward son.
I never said that Galations 4 even mentioned Joseph! I said that it was an example of how to interpret Old Testament Scripture, showing that it is valid to interpret the story of Joseph as an allegory and as a type for Jesus. Are you really so easily confused and lacking in understanding? o_O:rolleyes:
 
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