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The Hebrew Word
The name of this parashah, מקץ [miketz], means "at an extremity". The Hebrew word qets (Strong's #7093) is a masculine noun that literally means "end". The word is used 69 times in 61 verses in the Tanakh. It comes from a Hebrew root (Strong's #7112) that means "to cut off" (and hence define an end or extremity).
First use in Scripture
The first time qets is used in Scripture is in Genesis 4.
So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground. (Genesis 4:3)
Literally translated, this verse reads:
And it came to be at the end of a time went Cain with fruit [of] the soil [as] an offering to YHVH.
Last use in Scripture
The last time qets is used in Scripture is in Habakkuk chapter 2.
"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal [the end] and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay. (Habakkuk 2:3)
Parashah Outline
- Pharaoh's dreams - Genesis 41:1
- Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams - Genesis 41:14
- Joseph is made a ruler of Egypt - Genesis 41:38
- The sons of Joseph - Genesis 41:50
- Joseph's brothers sent to Egypt - Genesis 42:1
- Simon is left as a hostage - Genesis 42:29
- The return to Egypt - Genesis 43:1
- Joseph sees Benjamin - Genesis 43:16
- Joseph's brothers are brought back - Genesis 44:1
Portraits of Messiah
In this week's parashah, we again see several pictures of the Messiah. There are so many that they have been collected into a separate article.
As Joseph was, Messiah was lifted up above his brothers to rule and reign (Revelation 12:5).
As Joseph's brothers did, Yeshua's brothers (i.e., the Jewish people) came to him but did not recognize him (John1:11, Luke 24:37). In the case of Joseph, he recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. This is likely because of two things: 1) his appearance was greatly different than what they would have expected. He looked more like a Gentile than a Jew. 2)He hid his voice from his brothers by using an interpreter (Gen 42:23). In a similar way, Messiah is today hidden from his brothers (the Jewish people) because He looks like a Gentile, and his voice is masked by an interpreter (Christianity).
Other Observations
Pharaoh dreamed of seven good cows and seven full ears of grain. The seven cows came from one river, and the seven ears of grain came from one stalk. Seven is symbolic of completion or perfection. In both cases, the number seven symbolizes a complete blessing of abundant food. In the single source, we can see a picture of every good thing coming from G-d, our single source of life and blessing.
Joseph is clothed in fine linen and is placed in a chariot (a picture of authority) in Genesis 41:42-43. Yeshua is also dressed in a robe (Matthew 27:28) and rides on a donkey (Matthew 21:7), which is also a picture of authority.
Of all his brothers, only Benjamin is never mentioned among the brothers who hate him, throw him into the well, and sell him into slavery. Benjamin could be considered a picture of Messianic believers who have believed in Yeshua from the beginning and never rejected him. It is through Benjamin that Joseph brought the other brothers back to himself. In a similar manner, Yeshua has used the "youngest brother"/"Messianic believers" to bring the others to Himself.
Pharaoh tells Joseph that "only in the throne will I be greater than you". (Genesis 41:40).
Yeshua has all authority under heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18), but even He "will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him..." (1 Corinthians 15:28).
Joseph puts his brothers in prison for three days (Genesis 42:17-18) and then tells them "Do this and live, for I fear G-d". Messiah said He would be killed and "rise three days later" (Matthew 9:31), and He did.
Israel did not trust Reuben when he wanted to take responsibility for Benjamin (Genesis 42:37-38), likely because he had not repented of his sin of lying with Bilhah, his father's concubine (Genesis 35:22). Judah, on the other hand, had repented of his sin of sleeping with Tamar (Genesis 38:18, 38:26). Israel saw the righteousness of Judah's heart, his humility, and the honor with which he acted. In this event, we see a picture of a right relationship between ourselves and our Father in heaven when we confess our sins and repent (1 John 1:9).
Benjamin is given five portions of food from Joseph's table... five times as many as his brothers. Does that mean that there will be five times as many Jews who believe in the Messiah as they do not or that they will receive five times the blessing? This is not clear.
Commandments In the Parashah
None of the traditional 613 commandments are found within this parashah.
Related Verses In the Torah
Pharaoh calls for sorcerers and magicians (necromancers): Exodus 7:11, Exodus 7:22
Related Verses In the Prophets
- The Nile drying up - Isaiah 19:6-7
- Kings' dreams - Daniel 2:1, Daniel 2:3
- The wisdom of G-d (as revealed through His people) is greater than the world's magicians and conjurers - Daniel 1:20, Daniel 2:2
- The magicians cannot interpret visions from G-d - Daniel 2:27, Daniel 4:7
Related Verses In the Writings
The Nile drying up - Job 8:11
Related Verses In the Apostolic Writings
The wise men (magi) from the east - Matthew 2:1
Appendix
61 verses that include qets (Strong's #7093)
Gen 4:3
Gen 6:13
Gen 8:6
Gen 41:1
Exo 12:41
Num 13:25
Deut 9:11
Deut 15:1
Deut 31:10
Jdg 11:39
2 Sam 14:26
2 Sam 15:7
1 Kings 2:39
1 Kings 17:7
2 Kings 19:23
2 Chr 8:1
2 Chr 18:2
2 Chr 21:19
Neh 13:6
Esther 2:12
Job 6:11
Job 16:3
Job 22:5
Job 28:3
Psa 39:4
Psa 119:96
Eccl 4:8, 16
Eccl 12:12
Isa 9:7
Isa 13:5
Isa 23:15, 17
Isa 37:24
Jer 34:14
Jer 42:7
Jer 50:26
Jer 51:13
Lam 4:18
Eze 7:2, 3, 6
Eze 21:25, 29
Eze 29:13
Eze 35:5
Dan 8:17, 19
Dan 9:26
Dan 11:6, 13, 27, 35, 40, 45
Dan 12:4, 6, 9, 13
Amos 8:2
Hab 2:3
