Though the time of the births of Japheth and Shem is no where expressly mentioned, yet it is plainly enough to be inferred from the above-cited texts. For, Gen. xi. 10. we are told, that Shem was an hundred years old-two years after the flood, which answers to the six hundred and second year of Noah, inasmuch as the text expressly says, that Noah was six hundred years old, when the flood was upon the earth, Gen. vii. 6. Wherefore the hundredth year of Shem's age answering to the six hundred and second year of his father's, it follows, that Shem must be born in the five hundred and second year of Noah. But now, Gen. v. 32. it is plainly insinuated, that Noah began to beget children, and consequently begot his eldest son in the five hundredth year of his age; which eldest son must be Japheth, since Ham is expressly said to be the younger son, Gen. ix. 24. and since Shem was not born till the five hundred and second year of Noah. That Joseph was born this year is thus proved: his father Jacob was an hundred and thirty years old, when he went down into Egypt; which answers to A. M. 2238. Joseph was at that time thirty-nine years old. For he was thirty years old when he was made governor of Egypt, Gen. xli. 46. After which came the seven years of plenty, Gen. xli. 53, 54. And then in the second year of famine his father came into Egypt, Gen. xlv. 11. being then, as is before observed, one hundred and thirty years. old; wherefore deducting thirty-nine from one hundred and thirty, there remain ninety-one for the year of Jacob's age, wherein Joseph was born. But Jacob being born A. M. 2108, the ninety-first year of his age answers to A. M. 2199, which therefore is the year of the world wherein Joseph was born. |