12/22/2004
Parashat Vayechi (And He lived), Genesis 47:28-50:26
"Then Israel said to Joseph, "Behold! - I am about to die; God will be with you and will bring you back to the land of your fathers. And as for me, I have given you Shechem - one portion more than your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Emorite with my sword and with my bow." Bereishit (Genesis) 48:21-22
The New International Version translates Shechem as "the ridge of land", which is it's literal meaning, but I'm inclined to think that Israel is literally referring here to the city of Shechem that Shimon and Levi conquered, and the land nearby that he purchased from the locals. If so, then Shechem (modern-day Nablus) belongs to Yosef and his descendants, the tribes of Efraim and Menashe. Perhaps the repossession of Shechem/Nablus for the nation of Israel will be accomplished by the sons of Yosef when they return to Eretz Israel. It's interesting to think about.
The New International Version translates Shechem as "the ridge of land", which is it's literal meaning, but I'm inclined to think that Israel is literally referring here to the city of Shechem that Shimon and Levi conquered, and the land nearby that he purchased from the locals. If so, then Shechem (modern-day Nablus) belongs to Yosef and his descendants, the tribes of Efraim and Menashe. Perhaps the repossession of Shechem/Nablus for the nation of Israel will be accomplished by the sons of Yosef when they return to Eretz Israel. It's interesting to think about.
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