[98]. That accounts for the ignorance of Tacitus as to who the Jews were.—J. V. G.
[99]. At Alexandria.—J. V. G.
[100]. This took place about 284 B.C.—J. V. G.
[101]. Enterpe, 2.
[102]. Joseph the Hebrew, son of Jacob.—In the thirty-second year after the children of Israel went down into Egypt, the Pharaoh the friend of Joseph died. Joseph was then seventy-one years of age. Before his death, Pharaoh commanded his son who succeeded him to obey Joseph in all things, and the same instructions he left in writing. Thus, while this Pharaoh reigned over Egypt the country was governed by Joseph’s advice and counsel. Joseph lived in Egypt ninety-three years, as a prince of the country eighty years of that time. Chephren the brother was no other than Benjamin, who was Joseph’s brother. Joseph’s age when he died was one hundred and ten years; and his body was embalmed and afterwards laid in the ground near the banks of the river Nile, in the subterranean island near the Great Pyramid. During Joseph’s lifetime the temples were closed, and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was worshipped.
[103]. The Mokattam Hill.
[104]. The memorable famine recorded in the Holy Bible, and its dire consequences.
[105]. Corrupted from Psothom Phaneeh (the revealer of secrets), the name given to Joseph the son of Israel the Hebrew, by Pharaoh the King of Egypt. He was a shepherd by profession, as all his ancestors were. It was, therefore, Joseph who built all the Pyramids to store corn in, against the famine that he declared would take place in Egypt.—J. V. G.
[106]. Exodus, xv.
[107]. Exodus, xxiii. 15, 16.