QUEST. VI. Whether Iacob loved Ioseph chiefly because he was borne in his old age.

Vers. 3. ISrael loved Ioseph, because he was the sonne of his old age. 1. We need not with Rupertus, to under∣stand this mystically, by Israels old age, his perfection of vertue, and that therefore he loved Io∣seph best, because he did imitate his fathers vertue. 2. Nor yet with Onkel•s, and Paul. Burgens. doe we re∣ferre it to Ioseph, that he was the childe of old age, that is, a wise, sober, and grave childe, for this is coact and strained. 3. But indeed Iacob loved him, because he had him in his old age, being then 91. yeare old, when Ioseph was borne: Benjamin was younger than Ioseph, but then not above foure or five yeares old, and therefore not so capable of his fathers love, as Ioseph, who began now to shew his vertue and good dis∣position: the rest also of Iacobs sonnes were borne in his old age, all within the compasse of seven yeares▪ and he was 84. yeare old when he began to have children • yet Ioseph was the youngest of them, and the first borne of his beloved Rachel; much desired and longed for on both sides before he was borne, and therefore best beloved when he came. 4. Now the reason• why children borne in old age are best belo∣ved of their parents, are these. 1. Because they are the last borne,* and the aged parents looke for none after-sembling his mother Rachel. Iosephus: his heroicall and princely mind, which appeared in his dreames, a ward, Phil. 2. And are most likely to be the longest livers, and so to continue their fathers name, Cajetan. 3. Or for that the aged parents are delighted with the pratling and sport of young children, Oleaster. 4. Or they are alwayes at hand, and in their fathers eye, Ramban. 5. Or the parents doe it in wisdome, to make most of the youngest, because they are least able to shift for themselves. Other causes there might bee of Iacobs affection to Ioseph: as the comelinesse of his body resembling his mother Rachel, Iosephus: his heroicall and princely minde, which appeared in his dreames, a prophecie of his honourable estate after∣ward; Philo. His vertuous and godly disposition: but these causes are concealed, lest they might have increased the envy of his brethren, Chrysost.