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The Hebrew Word
The name of this week's portion is ויגשׁ [vayigash], which means "and [he] came near". It is a third-person masculine conjugation of the Hebrew verb nagash (Strong's #5066), which is a root word that means "to come near" or "to bring near." The word is used 191 times in 112 verses in the Tanakh.
First use in Scripture
The first time nagash is used in Scripture is in Genesis 18.
Abraham came near and said, "Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? (Genesis 18:23)
Last use in Scripture
The last time nagash 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 3:4)
Parashah Outline
- Judah pleads for Benjamin - Genesis 44:18
- Joseph deals kindly with his brothers - Genesis 45:1
- Jacob moves to Egypt - Genesis 46:1
- An enumeration of those who came to Egypt - Genesis 46:8
- Jacob and his family settle in Goshen - Genesis 47:1
- Jacob meets Pharaoh - Genesis 47:7
- Result of the famine - Genesis 47:20
Portraits of Messiah
In Joseph, we see a picture of Mashich's righteous judgment. Joseph tests his brothers by having his silver cup planted in Benjamin's sack. Judah pleads for Benjamin, revealing his heart in the matter: he would rather offer himself than have Benjamin kept from his father (Genesis 44:18-34).
And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. (Revelation 19:11)
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts. (Proverbs 17:3)
Search me, O G-d, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; (Psalm 139:23)
G-d is a righteous judge, And a G-d who has indignation every day. (Psalm 7:11)
In chapter 45, we see a picture of Messiah revealing himself to his brothers (the Jewish people) in the end times:
- He sends away the Gentiles (Genesis 45:1) so there can be no critical judgment from them.
- He reveals himself to his brothers (Genesis 45:3).
- He is merciful towards them and indicates that all that has befallen him is the result of G-d's divine plan to preserve a remnant and to "keep you alive by a great deliverance" (Genesis 45:7).
If Benjamin depicts the Jews who have not rejected Yeshua as Messiah (see last week's parashah), then we may have a picture of the end times in which Judah (the Jewish people) pleads with The Judge for those who appear to be guilty (Benjamin) but truly are innocent. In that moment, the Judge will show mercy to those who are truly guilty (Judah).
In Joseph, we see a picture of Messiah's complete authority. Egypt was the world power of the day, and Joseph's being "ruler over all the land of Egypt" (Genesis 45:8) indicates his authority over the entire world.
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18)
Other Observations
Pending
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
As Joseph tested his brothers' hearts, so also G-d examines our hearts as it is written:
...for G-d sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)
Related Verses In the Writings
Pending
Related Verses In the Apostolic Writings
Pending
Appendix
112 verses that include nagash (Strong's #5066)
View the list of verses on BlueLetterBible.com
