Thematic Bible: Dissembling
Thematic Bible
Dissembling » Instances of » Joseph
As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he knew who they were, but he remained disguised and asked them gruffly, "Where are you from?" "From the land of Canaan," they replied. "We're here to buy food." But Joseph had already recognized his brothers, even though they had not recognized him. Furthermore, Joseph remembered the dreams that he had about them. So he accused them, "You're spies! You've come here to spy on our undefended territories!" read more.
"No, your majesty," they replied. "Your servants have come here to buy food. We're all sons of a common father. We're honest men, your majesty. We're not spies!" But Joseph kept insisting, "It's just as I've said you've come here to spy on our unguarded territories!" "But your majesty," they pleaded, "your servants include twelve brothers, the sons of a common father back in the land of Canaan. Please! Our youngest brother remains with our father, and the other one is no longer alive." "I'm right!" Joseph insisted. "Just as I said, you're spies! So here's how we'll test you. You can bet the life of Pharaoh that you're not leaving here until your youngest brother comes here! One of you is to be sent back so he can get your brother while the rest of you remain in custody. That way, we'll test whether or not you're telling the truth. If you're not, as surely as the Pharaoh lives, you're spies!" Then Joseph locked them all together in prison for three days. Three days later, Joseph told them, "I fear God, so do this and you'll live. If you're honest men, leave one of your brothers here in custody, then the rest of you can leave and take some grain with you to alleviate the famine that's affecting your households. Just be sure to bring your youngest brother back to me so what you've claimed can be verified. That way, you won't die."
"No, your majesty," they replied. "Your servants have come here to buy food. We're all sons of a common father. We're honest men, your majesty. We're not spies!" But Joseph kept insisting, "It's just as I've said you've come here to spy on our unguarded territories!" "But your majesty," they pleaded, "your servants include twelve brothers, the sons of a common father back in the land of Canaan. Please! Our youngest brother remains with our father, and the other one is no longer alive." "I'm right!" Joseph insisted. "Just as I said, you're spies! So here's how we'll test you. You can bet the life of Pharaoh that you're not leaving here until your youngest brother comes here! One of you is to be sent back so he can get your brother while the rest of you remain in custody. That way, we'll test whether or not you're telling the truth. If you're not, as surely as the Pharaoh lives, you're spies!" Then Joseph locked them all together in prison for three days. Three days later, Joseph told them, "I fear God, so do this and you'll live. If you're honest men, leave one of your brothers here in custody, then the rest of you can leave and take some grain with you to alleviate the famine that's affecting your households. Just be sure to bring your youngest brother back to me so what you've claimed can be verified. That way, you won't die."
When Joseph arrived at his palace, his brothers brought to him their gifts that they had carried with them and bowed to the ground in front of him. Joseph asked them how they had been doing. "Is your father well, the older gentleman about whom you spoke?" he inquired. "Is he still alive?" "Your servant, our father, is doing well," they replied. "He is still alive." Then they bowed down in humility. read more.
As Joseph looked up and recognized his brother Benjamin, his own mother's son, he asked, "Is this your youngest brother about whom you spoke to me?" And he addressed him directly, "May God be gracious to you, my son." At this, Joseph hurried out, deeply moved because of his brother, and looked for a place to weep by himself. He entered his personal quarters, wept there awhile, then washed his face and came out. Barely controlling himself, he ordered his staff to serve the meal. Joseph's staff served him by himself, his brothers separately, and the Egyptian staff members by themselves, because the Egyptians wouldn't take their meal with the Hebrews, since doing so was detestable for the Egyptians. Meanwhile, the brothers were seated in front of Joseph in birth order, from firstborn to youngest. The men stared at one another in astonishment. Joseph himself brought portions to them from his own table, except that he provided to Benjamin five times as much as he did for each of the others. So they feasted together and drank freely with Joseph.
As Joseph looked up and recognized his brother Benjamin, his own mother's son, he asked, "Is this your youngest brother about whom you spoke to me?" And he addressed him directly, "May God be gracious to you, my son." At this, Joseph hurried out, deeply moved because of his brother, and looked for a place to weep by himself. He entered his personal quarters, wept there awhile, then washed his face and came out. Barely controlling himself, he ordered his staff to serve the meal. Joseph's staff served him by himself, his brothers separately, and the Egyptian staff members by themselves, because the Egyptians wouldn't take their meal with the Hebrews, since doing so was detestable for the Egyptians. Meanwhile, the brothers were seated in front of Joseph in birth order, from firstborn to youngest. The men stared at one another in astonishment. Joseph himself brought portions to them from his own table, except that he provided to Benjamin five times as much as he did for each of the others. So they feasted together and drank freely with Joseph.
Dissembling » Instances of » David
So David changed his behavior before them and acted like he was crazy in their presence. He scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva run down his beard. Achish told his officials, "Look, you see a person acting like a madman. Why'd you bring him to me? Am I lacking madmen that you bring me this one to act like a madman around me? Shall this one come into my house?"