Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Richard Petersen <Richard.Petersen AT noaa.gov>]

     In Moses' blessing of Israel, he gives the preeminent blessing to 
     Joseph, even blessing that tribe with the best gifts of the earth and 
     referring to Joseph as the prince among his brothers.  This is exactly 
     what would be expected after reading Genesis 37 - 50.  Judah, on the 
     other hand, is given one of the least blessings.  If the Pentateuch is 
     a late fabrication of the religious leaders; a tool to establish their 
     authority and to establish Jerusalem as the religious and political 
     center for all Israel, as I am frequently reminded by some people, why 
     didn't they take the opportunity to establish Judah as the preeminent 
     tribe from the beginning?  Why wasn't Judah made the salvation of his 
     brothers and parents?  Why didn't all the other bundles of grain and 
     the sun, moon, and eleven stars bow before Judah?  If, as it is 
     affirmed, the national memory of ancient Israel only went back 200 
     years, the Priests could have made up any details they wanted.  I hate 
     to say it, but if the Torah was just propaganda, those Priests really 
     did a lousy job.