The bedrock foundation of first-century studies included an annual reading of the Torah: Genesis through Deuteronomy. The passages that are studied this time of year are found in the book of Genesis chapters 41:1-44:17. The chapter and verse numbers that we use to identify passages of Scripture today did not exist in the days of the Master. Instead, they identified the weekly passages, known as a parashah (”portion”) by the first word or two of that passage. This week’s parashah is known as Miketz (pronounced mih KETZ). This Hebrew word means “at the end” as it is written in the beginning of our portion:

Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had  a dream, and behold, he was standing by the Nile.

In this week's parashah we find the second part of the story of Joseph.  Joseph's Hebrew name is Yosef and the number of parallels between Yosef and Messiah are so great that they warranted their own article to contain them all.  In this article we will focus on only a few specific points:

Joseph resisted temptation (Genesis 39:8-9).  So, too, Messiah resisted temptation (Hebrews 4:15).

Joseph was condemned with two prisoners (Genesis 40:2-3).  So, too, Messiah was condemned with two prisoners (Luke 23:32).

Joseph was taught by G-d (Genesis 41:16).  So, too, Messiah was taught by G-d (John 5:19).

Joseph's brothers did not recognize him until the end (Genesis 42:8).  So, too, Messiah's Jewish brethren will not recognize him until the end (Luke 24:37).

Here in parashah Miketz in Joseph is a true portrait of Messiah.