sons of Esau and Ishmael by his comfortable state.[199] For
the same reason, to avoid friction with the surrounding
peoples, he bade his sons not appear in public with bread in
their hands, or in the accoutrements of war.[200] And as he
knew that they were likely to attract attention, on account
of their heroic stature and handsome appearance, he cautioned
them against going to the city all together through
the same gate, or, indeed, showing themselves all together
anywhere in public, that the evil eye be not cast upon them.[201]

The famine in Canaan inspired Joseph with the hope of
seeing his brethren. To make sure of their coming, he
issued a decree concerning the purchase of corn in Egypt,
as follows: "By order of the king and his deputy, and the
princes of the realm, be it enacted that he who desireth to

 
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