Miketz (Hebrew: מִקֵּץ, "At the end of") is the tenth weekly Torah portion, covering Genesis 41:1–44:17. It tells of Joseph's rise to power in Egypt, the famine, his brothers' first and second journeys to Egypt, and the cup in Benjamin's sack.
Pharaoh's Dreams
וַיְהִי מִקֵּץ שְׁנָתַיִם יָמִים וּפַרְעֹה חֹלֵם
"And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed." (Genesis 41:1)
Pharaoh dreams of seven fat cows eaten by seven lean cows, and seven full ears of grain swallowed by seven thin ears. His magicians and wise men cannot interpret them. The chief butler remembers Joseph and tells Pharaoh: "I remember my faults this day" (Genesis 41:9). Joseph is brought from prison, shaved, and changed. Pharaoh says: "I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it; and I have heard say of you, that you can understand a dream to interpret it" (Genesis 41:15). Joseph replies: "It is not in me; God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace" (Genesis 41:16).
Joseph's Rise to Power
Joseph interprets: the seven fat cows and seven full ears are seven years of plenty; the seven lean cows and seven thin ears are seven years of famine. "And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice, it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass" (Genesis 41:32). Joseph advises Pharaoh to appoint a wise man over Egypt to store grain during the seven years of plenty. Pharaoh says to Joseph: "Forasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is none so discreet and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and according unto your word shall all my people be ruled" (Genesis 41:39–40). Pharaoh gives Joseph his signet ring, fine linen, a gold chain, and his second chariot. Joseph is 30 years old. Pharaoh names him Zaphenath-paneah (צָפְנַת פַּעְנֵחַ) and gives him Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, as wife. Joseph stores grain "as the sand of the sea, very much" (Genesis 41:49). He has two sons: Manasseh (מְנַשֶּׁה, "God has made me forget all my toil") and Ephraim (אֶפְרַיִם, "God has caused me to be fruitful").
The Famine
The seven years of plenty end; the famine begins, "and the famine was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread" (Genesis 41:54). The people cry to Pharaoh; he sends them to Joseph. Joseph opens the storehouses and sells grain. "And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph to buy corn" (Genesis 41:57).
First Journey of the Brothers
Jacob sends his sons (except Benjamin) to Egypt to buy food: "Why do you look one upon another? Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt; get you down thither, and buy for us from thence" (Genesis 42:1–2). The ten brothers come before Joseph, who is governor of the land, and bow down to him with their faces to the earth. Joseph recognizes them, but they do not recognize him. He speaks roughly to them: "You are spies; to see the nakedness of the land you are come" (Genesis 42:9). They say they are honest men, twelve brothers, the youngest with their father, one dead. Joseph puts them in ward for three days, then says: "This do, and live; for I fear God: if you be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison, and go you, carry corn for the famine of your houses; but bring your youngest brother unto me" (Genesis 42:18–20). They agree. Simeon is bound before their eyes. Joseph commands to fill their sacks with corn, restore their money, and give them provisions. On the way, one opens his sack and finds his money; they are afraid: "What is this that God has done unto us?" (Genesis 42:28).
They return to Jacob and tell him. Jacob refuses to send Benjamin: "My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone" (Genesis 42:38). Reuben offers his two sons as pledge; Jacob refuses.
Second Journey and the Cup
The famine worsens. Judah says: "I will be surety for him; of my hand shall you require him" (Genesis 43:9). Jacob finally sends Benjamin with a present of balm, honey, spices, myrrh, nuts, and almonds, and double money. The brothers go down to Egypt and stand before Joseph. Joseph sees Benjamin and says to the steward of his house: "Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon" (Genesis 43:16). The brothers are afraid they are being brought in because of the money. They explain to Joseph's steward. The steward says: "Peace be to you, fear not; your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks" (Genesis 43:23). Simeon is brought out. Joseph comes in; they bow and present the gift. Joseph asks after their father and Benjamin. Overcome with emotion, Joseph "sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there" (Genesis 43:30). He washes his face and commands: "Set on bread" (Genesis 43:31). Joseph seats them in order of age; they marvel. Benjamin's portion is five times as much.
Joseph commands his steward: "Fill the men's sacks with food... and put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest" (Genesis 44:1–2). The brothers depart. Joseph sends his steward after them: "Wherefore have you rewarded evil for good?" (Genesis 44:4). The steward finds the cup in Benjamin's sack. They tear their clothes and return to the city. Judah and his brothers fall before Joseph. Joseph says: "What deed is this that you have done? Know you not that such a man as I can certainly divine?" (Genesis 44:15). Judah says: "What shall we say unto my lord? What shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants" (Genesis 44:16). Joseph says only the one in whose hand the cup was found shall be his servant; the rest may go in peace. The parasha ends here; Judah's plea continues in Vayigash.
Major themes
- Dreams and interpretation: Pharaoh's dreams and Joseph's God-given ability to interpret.
- Divine providence: "God has found out the iniquity" — the brothers' guilt catching up with them.
- Repentance (teshuvah): The brothers' remorse for selling Joseph.
- Leadership: Joseph's rise from prisoner to viceroy.
- Family and reconciliation: The brothers' second journey and the test of their character.
Rashi
Rashi explains that Pharaoh's two dreams (cows and grain) are one dream with two symbols, emphasizing the certainty of the famine. On the brothers' first journey, Rashi notes that Jacob sent them to buy food but they also came to search for Joseph. On the cup, Rashi explains that Joseph used it for divination (or at least made it appear so) as part of his test.
Ramban
Ramban explains that Joseph's harsh treatment of his brothers was a test to see if they had truly repented. The planting of the cup was a deliberate test of their loyalty to Benjamin.
Midrashic interpretations
- Bereshit Rabbah 89:1: Pharaoh's dreams were sent by God, but his magicians could not interpret them because they were not true prophets.
- Bereshit Rabbah 91:5: The brothers' statement "we are true men" was false, and Joseph knew it.
- Bereshit Rabbah 92:8: Joseph's weeping was because he saw Benjamin resembled Rachel.
- Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer 39: Joseph was 30 when he became viceroy, the same age as King David when he began to reign.
Haftarah
The haftarah (1 Kings 3:15–4:1) tells of Solomon's dream in which God offers him anything; Solomon asks for wisdom to judge the people. God grants him wisdom, wealth, and honor. This connects to Joseph's God-given wisdom in interpreting dreams and governing.
References
- Genesis 41:1 – 44:17 (Masoretic Text)
- Rashi, Commentary on the Torah
- Ramban, Commentary on the Torah
- Bereshit Rabbah (Midrash)
- Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer
- The JPS Torah Commentary: Genesis (Nahum M. Sarna, 1989)
- Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary (JPS, 2001)
- Sefaria.org, "Miketz" (parasha)