Chapter 63
some of his men and smote them desperately; and the troops of Africa fled from before Zepho and the slain fell before him, and Zepho and his men pursued them, going on and smiting them until near the borders of Africa.
27. And king Angeas of Africa heard what Zepho had done, and it vexed him exceedingly, and Angeas was afraid of Zepho all the days.
1. AND in the ninety third year Levi, the son of Jacob, died in Egypt, and at his death Levi was a hundred and thirty seven years old, and they put him into a coffin and he was given into the hands of his children.
2. And it came to pass after the death of Levi, when all Egypt saw that the sons of Jacob, the brethren of Joseph, were dead, that all the Egyptians began to afflict the children of Jacob and to embitter their lives from that day unto the day of their going forth from Egypt; and they took from their hands all the vineyards and fields which Joseph had given unto them, and all the elegant houses in which the people of Israel lived, and all the fat of Egypt. The Egyptians took all from the sons of Jacob in those days.
3. And the hand of all Egypt became more grievous in those days against the children of Israel, and the Egyptians injured the Israelites until the children of Israel were wearied of their lives on account of the Egyptians.
4. And it came to pass in those days, in the hundred and second year of Israel's going down to Egypt, that Pharaoh king of Egypt died, and Melol his son reigned in his stead, and all the mighty men of Egypt and the whole generation that knew Joseph and his brethren died in those days.
5. And another generation rose up in their stead, which had not known the sons of Jacob and all the good which they had done to them, and had not seen all their might in Egypt.
6. Therefore, all Egypt began from that day forth to embitter the lives of the sons of Jacob and to afflict them with all manner of hard labor, because they had not known their ancestors who had delivered them in the days of the famine.
7. And this was also from the Lord for the children of Israel, to benefit them in their latter days, in order that all the children of Israel might know the Lord their God,
8. and to know the signs and mighty wonders which the Lord would do in Egypt on account of his people Israel, so that the children of Israel might fear the Lord God of their ancestors and walk in all his ways, they and their seed after them all the days.
9. Melol was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned ninety four years, and all Egypt called his name Pharaoh after the name of his father, as it was their custom to do to every king who reigned over them in Egypt.
10. At that time all the troops of king Angeas of Africa, went forth to spread along the land of Chittim as usual for plunder.
11. And Zepho, the son of Eliphaz son of Esau, heard their report, and he went forth to meet them with his army and fought them there on the road.
12. And Zepho smote the troops of the king of Africa with the edge of the sword, and left none remaining of them, not even one returned to his master in Africa.
13. And Angeas heard of what Zepho the son of Eliphaz had done to all his troops, that he had destroyed them. And Angeas assembled all his troops, all the men of the land of Africa, a people numerous like the sand by the seashore.
14. And Angeas sent a message to his brother Lucus, saying: Come to me with all thy men and help me to smite Zepho and all the children of Chittim, who destroyed my men. And Lucus came with his whole army, a very great force, to assist his brother Angeas in fighting Zepho and the children of Chittim.
15. And Zepho and the children of Chittim heard this thing, and they were much frightened and a great terror fell upon their hearts.
16. And Zepho also sent a letter to the land of Edom to Hadad, the son of king Bedad of Edom, and to all the children of Esau, saying:
17. I have heard that king Angeas of Africa is coming to us with his brother for battle against us, and we are greatly afraid of him, for his army is very great, particularly as he comes against us together with his brother and his army likewise.
18. Now therefore, you should also come with me and help me, and we will fight together against Angeas and his brother Lucus, and you will save us