PHARAOH SENT JOSEPH A MESSAGE. The thin papyrus scroll was tied with a red ribbon and sealed in purple wax with the imperial scarab.
To our esteemed viceroy, Zaphnath-paneakh, Bearer of the Royal Seals, Pharaoh’s Father and Sole Companion, Overseer of the Granaries, First Royal Herald, and Right Hand of the Lord of the Two Lands: Tell your brothers to bring their father and their families here as soon as they can. We will provide them with everything they need. Tell them not to worry if they have to leave some of their belongings behind, because the best of Egypt is theirs.
Joseph gave them wagons and abundant supplies and, for his father, forty donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his journey. To each of the brothers he gave an elaborate ornamented robe and a goatskin pouch of silver. At first he was tempted to give Benjamin five of the splendid robes and triple the amount of silver, but when he contemplated the thought, he had to smile at its foolishness.