JACOB ARRIVES IN EGYPT


When the Egyptian nobles observed their viceroy completing
his preparations to meet his father, they did the
same.[313] Indeed, Joseph had issued a proclamation throughout
the land, threatening with death all that did not go forth
to meet Jacob. The procession that accompanied him was
composed of countless men, arrayed in byssus and purple,
and marching to the sound of all sorts of musical instruments.
Even the women of Egypt had a part in the reception
ceremonies. They ascended to the roofs of the houses
and the walls of the cities, ready to greet Jacob with the
music of cymbals and timbrels.