t12papocrypha
Testament of Joseph 16
The Memphian woman maneuvers to acquire Joseph through intermediaries, willing to pay whatever price is demanded. The eunuch she sends reports a falsely inflated sum to his mistress, pocketing the difference — a quiet fraud Joseph witnesses and chooses to absorb in silence rather than expose the servant to punishment. The scene holds the master-type pattern: Joseph is still a commodity passing through Gentile hands toward Egypt, his descent not yet finished. His restraint here is not passivity but an early mark of the character that will make him fit to govern.
1
Now the Memphian woman pointed me out to her husband, that he should buy me; for I hear, said she, that they are selling him.
2
And she sent a eunuch to the Ishmaelites, and asked them to sell me; and since he was not willing to traffic with them, he returned.
3
So when the eunuch had made trial of them, he made known to his mistress that they asked a large price for their slave.
4
And she sent another eunuch, saying, Even though they demand two minæ of gold, take heed not to spare the gold; only buy the boy, and bring him hither.
5
And he gave them eighty pieces of gold for me, and told his mistress that a hundred had been given for me.
6
And when I saw it I held my peace, that the eunuch should not be punished.
