t12papocrypha
Testament of Naphtali 6
Naphtali recounts a second vision: Jacob and his sons board a ship marked with Jacob's name, but a violent storm scatters the father and divides the twelve sons across the sea on separate boards — Joseph alone escaping in a small boat — until Levi, clothed in sackcloth, intercedes before Jehovah and the storm ceases, bringing the ship to land and Jacob back to his sons. The vision maps the dispersion and reunion of the twelve tribes through the mediating priestly intercession of Levi, with Joseph's separate vessel marking the birthright tribe's distinct redemptive trajectory.
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And again, after seven months, I saw our father Jacob standing by the sea of Jamnia, and we his sons were with him. And, behold, there came a ship sailing by, full of dried flesh, without sailors or pilot: and there was written upon the ship, Jacob. And our father saith to us, Let us embark on our ship. And when we had gone on board, there arose a vehement storm, and a tempest of mighty wind; and our father, who was holding the helm, flew away from us. And we, being tost with the tempest, were borne along over the sea; and the ship was filled with water and beaten about with a mighty wave, so that it was well-nigh broken in pieces. And Joseph fled away upon a little boat, and we all were divided upon twelve boards, and Levi and Judah were together. We therefore all were scattered even unto afar off. Then Levi, girt about with sackcloth, prayed for us all unto the Lord. And when the storm ceased, immediately the ship reached the land, as though in peace. And, lo, Jacob our father came, and we rejoiced with one accord.
