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The Hebrew Word
וישׁב [vayeshev- Strong's #3427] is a Hebrew word that means "he continued living." It is a third-person conjugation of the Hebrew verb yashav, which is a root word that means "to sit down" but implies "to live" or "to settle". The word is used 1113 times in 973 verses in the Tanakh.
First use in Scripture
The first time yashav is found in Scripture is in Genesis 4.
Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. (Genesis 4:16)
Last use in Scripture
The last time yashav is used in Scripture is in Malachi 3.
"He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness. (Malachi 3:3)
Parashah Outline
- Joseph's dreams - Genesis 37:1
- Brothers' plot against Joseph - Genesis 37:18
- Judah's adultery with Tamar - Genesis 38:1
- Joseph's success in Egypt - Genesis 39:1
- Joseph is imprisoned - Genesis 39:19
- Joseph interprets a dream - Genesis 40:1
Portraits of Messiah
This week's parashah begins Scripture's account of Joseph. The parallels between Joseph and Messiah are so numerous that they warrant their own article. I'll list a few here:
- Joseph was most loved by his father (Genesis 37:3). Messiah, too, was most beloved of the Father (Mark 1:11).
- Joseph's brothers were jealous of their father's special favor and put Joseph into the ground [the well] (Genesis 37:24). So, too, Messiah's brothers put Him into the ground... for 3 days and 3 nights (Mark 15:46).
- Joseph was given over to the Gentiles (Genesis 37:28). So, too, Messiah has been given over to the Gentiles (Acts 11:1).
- Joseph was taken to Egypt to avoid being killed (Genesis 37:28), and Messiah was also taken to Egypt to avoid being killed (Matthew 2:13).
- Joseph was dead before his father (Genesis 37:33). So, too, was Messiah dead before his Father (Luke 23:46).
Other Observations
Judah and Tamar
The story of Judah and Tamar sticks out like a sore thumb amid the narrative of Joseph. There are several interesting points in the Biblical account:
Judah had departed from his family (Genesis 3:1)
He had left his family (and apparently the faith of his fathers) because he married a Canaanite woman (Shua in Genesis 38:2) and was later willing to have relations with someone whom he considered to be a temple prostitute (Genesis 38:21).
Levirate marriage was already present
Although the Torah had not been given yet with the commandment regarding Levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5-10), it was clearly already recognized as a familial responsibility.
Parental responsibility
As the patriarch of his family, Judah was responsible for ensuring that the Levirate duties were met. He gave his second son, Onan, to Tamar (Genesis 38:8), and after Onan died, he told Tamar to wait until his third son, Shelah [pronounced sheh LAH], had grown up (Genesis 38:11).
Not a matter of adultery
Judah's wife had died by the time he had relations with Tamar (Genesis 38:12). Adultery (bringing another person into the midst of the marriage) was not an issue in this situation.
Tamar more righteous
Even though Tamar deceived Judah to become pregnant with the child that was her due, Judah says that she was more righteous than he was (Genesis 38:26).
Judah's pledge
Judah's pledge to Tamar provides an interesting insight into the state of Messianic believers today.
Consider that Judah is the quintessential Jew. In fact, it is from his Hebrew name, Yehudah, that we get the label "Jew." Tamar was likely a Gentile since she was not named among the children of Israel. Tamar receives three items from Yehudah:
- Judah's seal
- Judah's cord
- Judah's staff
If we consider Judah as symbolic of the Jewish people, then these three items can be seen as symbolically theirs as well:
- The seal- symbolic of the sign of the covenant with G-d: the Sabbath.
- The cord- symbolic of the moedim with their circular, recurring pattern.
- The staff- symbolic of the Torah: a symbol of authority and power.
Gentile believers in Messiah Yeshua have been given these three items as their own as fellow heirs with Messiah (Romans 8:16-17). It is with these three things that Jews take the greatest issue regarding Messianic believers. Just as Judah considered Tamar to be a temple prostitute because she was veiled, so, too, the Jews consider Messianic believers prostitutes to a foreign G-d because Messiah is veiled (2 Corinthians 4:3). Just as Judah called for Tamar to be cut off from life, so, too, do the Jews call for believers in Messiah to be karat [cut off] from the people of G-d.
Paul spoke about this in Romans chapter 11:
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke them [the Jews] to jealousy. (Romans 11:11 (KJV))
When Messianic believers obey the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, it provokes jealousy in the Jew. Baruch HaShem, it is all part of His sovereign plan.
Commandments In the Parashah
None of the traditional 613 commandments are found within this parashah.
Related Verses In the Torah
Pending
Related Verses In the Prophets
Pending
Related Verses In the Writings
Pending
Related Verses In the Apostolic Writings
Pending
Appendix
973 verses that include yashav (Strong's #3427)
View the list of verses on BlueLetterBible.com
