The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-03-29
TGcOb's Sons.

: 4. zilpah. - - 1 Asher. II is.
Notes.
l. In verse of the lesson the sons of Bilhah
and Zilpah mentioned.
2. The word brethren (brothers) in verse 2
embraces all the above sons except Joseph. So
all in verses s. g. g. 10 (twice), IL. In verse z
these IL brothers are called sheaves
3. Verse speaks of II stars. They are the IL
brothers. With Joseph there would be IL stars.
DIR. A. Clarke thinks there is an astronomical
reference to the IL signs of the zodiac.
Sun and Moon.
There is no question but that the sun refers
to the father, Jacob. But the mother (moon)
of Joseph was Rachel and she died at the birth
of Benjamin. 50 15. We have various opin-
ions as to whom is meant by moon"
a. Jacobs idea might be that one condition
of the dream being fulfilled was impossible
from the fact Josephs mother was deceased.
b. writer of notes in The Methodist said
Leah.
C. DR.. Conant says: "Rachel is doubtless
meant. As the whole matter belongs to the
sphere of the ideal this reference to the mother
deceased but neither forgotten nor lost is
not out of place"
d. Sam'l II. Turner: perhaps Bilhah is
meant, or Leah, if she still lived
e. Better say some, hold that any wife of
Jacob at the time of the fulflment of the
dream would meet the case, though said wife
could be stepmother to Joseph.
Dreams. ~
1t is possible a distinction is to be made in
dreams. There may be occasions at times for
special announcements and these could be well
impaired in the form of dreams. The subject
of dreaming is now gaining great attention
psychologically, and some reliable principles
may be yet reached. 49, 4
For reference see Newton's Works, VOL I. DIP.
1926; the Catholic World. March, 1892; Kilo
on The Patriarchs PIP. 316-321.
For dreaming considered scien tihcally, see
Maurys textbook. -
Miss Sarah B. Cooper says: Hence in re-
spouse to the question, Have dreams any sig
nifeance to-day?' we unhesitatingly affirm it
to be our belief that they may have a very
grave significance; that the Great Revealer has
pledged himself to no prescribed mode of reve-
lation has eircumscribed himself by no defined
limits, has ham pcred himseHs with no statutes
of limitation, either in regard to dream reve-
lations or other modes of divine disclosure,
which in the glimmer and obscurity of earthly
vision we but dimly discern. The Lord Of
Glory has not been taken captive by scientific
explorers bound hand and foot and dashed to
his own chariot of what is termed Natural
Law"
COL Gardiner attributed his conversion to
dream. He saw Jesus hanging on the cross,
and heard him say: i have suffered this for
thee and is this thy return?" He was led
thereby to piety. We are not obliged to be-
lieve this dream supernatural.
ST. Cypriau heard and saw in dream, one
year before the event, his execution.
Astyages decided on the death of Cyrus by
reason of q dream.
A French writer said: "To dream glorousIy
you must act gloriously while You are awake;
and to bring angels down to converse with you
in your sleep, you must labor in the cause of
virtue during the day"
Words and Phrases.
l. Coat of many coors. V. 3. DIR. T. j.
Conant describes it thus: A full length gar
ment; covering the whole person, the body of
the garment extending to the feet, and the
sleeves to the wrist. Such garments were worn
only by persons exempted from manual labor,
and were indicative Of rank and wealth. The
injudicious Partially of Jacob conferred this
distinction on the favorite child of his old age.
On the contrary, the ordinary dress, such as
was worn by persons engaged in active employ
ments, extended but little below the knee, the
sleeves reaching only to the elbow" {
Roman youth Of rank wore the toga prateTta
until II years Of age. Then they put Oh the
toqa UiriLis called also t0ga puTa. Distinctions
in social status were shown in the East by
differences of apparel. This is yet so in China,
India, Persia. Wilkinson. in Ancient Egyptians,
Vol. H., page 800. says: I'VE shall the better
understand the significance of the dress of
Joseph, if we remember that ordinary work
men, and indeed all the lower orders were clad
in a sort Of apron or ket, sometimes simply
bound round the loins and tapping over in
front; aud others had short drawers, extending
half way to the knee The same kind of dress
was worn by the higher orders. under ample
dress Of fine linen reaching to the ankles, and
provided with large sleeves" Not only was
this true of Egypt, but of the Orient in gen.
eral.
Atraveler in Egypt says, referring to Joseph's
toga: Such coat we often see in the streets
of Cairo; it comes from Syria, and is made of
| pieces of cloth OF divers coIors so arranged as
to form a rude though effective pattern. The
| edges are then braided, and sometimes very
deliberately"
| Joseph's rich garment was sign of dignity
and leisure Jacob probably relieved Joseph
| from drudgery The youth was we'll dressed
He was the gentleman Of the family. Some
think verse implies Joseph was made super
intendent over Jacobs affairs and that the re-
port alluded to was Soat ofrOfiicial statement.
| 2 Sam, 13: IL, showaEtkat Kings daughters
also had rich apparel. mEa1
DIR. John Hall, of New York, has the idea
| that Jacobs act in thus clothing Joseph in
| royal style was understood; Iby the rest of the
| brothers as signifyiug tiIat1it was the purpose
| of Jacob to mako Josstgh the heir and thus
transfer to him the rights of the firstborn.
| 2. Brethren. Y. 4. Brothers. There were ii
of them. Ri ossol
| 3. More than all. V.45dIs the meaning Jacobs
love for Joseph was more than the love of all
Joseph's brothers for their brother? or is it
that Jacob loved Joseph more than he loved
| all the rest OF his offspring? or more than he
| loved any other one of them?
| 4. Obeisance. %. Dhe8oot idea is that of
hearing. The servant keeps keen ear to rec.
ognize any signal from his master, SO as to re-
spond at once. Rosenmuller says: 1.-THE
Hebrew means the manner customary in all
Asia of testifying respect to Kings and Princes,
by falling on the knee and STOPPING till the
forehead touches the ground"
5. Does "words" in verse refer to the
words in which the dreams were narrated to
| Joseph, or does the word refer to the unpleas-
| ant aud naughty reflections of Joseph supple
| mentary to his narration OF his dreams?
| 6. Not speak peaceably. VA The express
sion common in the East is, Peace be to thee!"
| Joseph's brothers not only refuse the usual
obeisance, but also the customary saIaam. See
| st. Matt, IL: "a; Job 10: 1915: ST. John