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excepting the lands of the priests； for their country continued
still in their own possession。 And indeed this sore famine made
their minds； as well as their bodies； slaves； and at length
compelled them to procure a sufficiency of food by such
dishonorable means。 But when this misery ceased； and the river
overflowed the ground； and the ground brought forth its fruits
plentifully； Joseph came to every city； and gathered the people
thereto belonging together； and gave them back entirely the land
which； by their own consent； the king might have possessed alone；
and alone enjoyed the fruits of it。 He also exhorted them to look
on it as every one's own possession； and to fall to their
husbandry with cheerfulness； and to pay as a tribute to the king；
the fifth part （14） of the fruits for the land which the king；
when it was his own； restored to them。 These men rejoiced upon
their becoming unexpectedly owners of their lands； and diligently
observed what was enjoined them； and by this means Joseph
procured to himself a greater authority among the Egyptians； and
greater love to the king from them。 Now this law； that they
should pay the fifth part of their fruits as tribute； continued
until their later kings。
CHAPTER 8。
Of The Death Of Jacob And Joseph。
1。 Now when Jacob had lived seventeen years in Egypt； he fell
into a disease； and died in the presence of his sons； but not
till he made his prayers for their enjoying prosperity； and till
he had foretold to them prophetically how every one of them was
to dwell in the land of Canaan。 But this happened many years
afterward。 He also enlarged upon the praises of Joseph （15） how
he had not remembered the evil doings of his brethren to their
disadvantage； nay； on the contrary； was kind to them； bestowing
upon them so many benefits； as seldom are bestowed on men's own
benefactors。 He then commanded his own sons that they should
admit Joseph's sons； Ephraim and Manasses； into their number； and
divide the land of Canaan in common with them； concerning whom we
shall treat hereafter。 However； he made it his request that he
might be buried at Hebron。 So he died； when he had lived full a
hundred and fifty years； three only abated； having not been
behind any of his ancestors in piety towards God； and having such
a recompense for it； as it was fit those should have who were so
good as these were。 But Joseph； by the king's permission； carried
his father's dead body to Hebron； and there buried it； at a great
expense。 Now his brethren were at first unwilling to return back
with him； because they were afraid lest； now their father was
dead； he should punish them for their secret practices against
him； since he was now gone； for whose sake he had been so
gracious to them。 But he persuaded them to fear no harm； and to
entertain no suspicions of him： so he brought them along with
him； and gave them great possessions； and never left off his
particular concern for them。
2。 Joseph also died when he had lived a hundred and ten years；
having been a man of admirable virtue； and conducting all his
affairs by the rules of reason； and used his authority with
moderation； which was the cause of his so great felicity among
the Egyptians； even when he came from another country； and that
in such ill circumstances also； as we have already described。 At
length his brethren died； after they had lived happily in Egypt。
Now the posterity and sons of these men； after some time； carried
their bodies； and buried them at Hebron： but as to the bones of
Joseph； they carried them into the land of Canaan afterward； when
the Hebrews went out of Egypt； for so had Joseph made them
promise him upon oath。 But what became of every one of these men；
and by what toils they got the possession of the land of Canaan；
shall be shown hereafter； when I have first explained upon what
account it was that they left Egypt。
CHAPTER 9。
Concerning The Afflictions That Befell The Hebrews In Egypt；
During Four Hundred Years。 （16）
1。 Now it happened that the Egyptians grew delicate and lazy； as
to pains…taking； and gave themselves up to other pleasures； and
in particular to the love of gain。 They also became very
ill…affected towards the Hebrews； as touched with envy at their
prosperity； for when they saw how the nation of the Israelites
flourished； and were become eminent already in plenty of wealth；
which they had acquired by their virtue and natural love of
labor； they thought their increase was to their own detriment。
And having； in length of time； forgotten the benefits they had
received from Joseph； particularly the crown being now come into
another family； they became very abusive to the Israelites； and
contrived many ways of afflicting them； for they enjoined them to
cut a great number of channels for the river； and to build walls
for their cities and ramparts； that they might restrain the
river； and hinder its waters from stagnating； upon its running
over its own banks： they set them also to build pyramids； （17）
and by all this wore them out； and forced them to learn all sorts
of mechanical arts； and to accustom themselves to hard labor。 And
four hundred years did they spend under these afflictions； for
they strove one against the other which should get the mastery；
the Egyptians desiring to destroy the Israelites by these labors；
and the Israelites desiring to hold out to the end under them。
2。 While the affairs of the Hebrews were in this condition； there
was this occasion offered itself to the Egyptians； which made
them more solicitous for the extinction of our nation。 One of
those sacred scribes； （18） who are very sagacious in foretelling
future events truly； told the king； that about this time there
would a child be born to the Israelites； who； if he were reared；
would bring the Egyptian dominion low； and would raise the
Israelites； that he would excel all men in virtue； and obtain a
glory that would be remembered through all ages。 Which thing was
so feared by the king； that； according to this man's opinion； he
commanded that they should cast every male child； which was born
to the Israelites； into the river； and destroy it； that besides
this； the Egyptian midwives （19） should watch the labors of the
Hebrew women； and observe what is born； for those were the women
who were enjoined to do the office of midwives to them； and by
reason of their relation to the king； would not transgress his
commands。 He enjoined also； that if any parents should disobey
him； and venture to save their male children alive； （20） they and
their families should be destroyed。 This was a severe affliction
indeed to those that suffered it； not only as they were deprived
of their sons； and while they were the parents themselves； they
were obliged to be subservient to the destruction of their own
children； but as it was to be supposed to tend to the extirpation
of their nation； while upon the destruction of their children；
and their own gradual dissolution； the calamity would become very
hard and inconsolable to them。 And this was the ill state they
were in。 But no one can be too hard for the purpose of God；
though he contrive ten thousand subtle de