reason for his vehemence was that he was very much enraged
against his brethren for not having slain Joseph. But
they threatened him in turn, saying, "If thou wilt not give
up the coat, we shall say that thou didst execute the evil deed
thyself." At that Simon surrendered it,[63] and Naphtali
brought it to Jacob, handing it to him with the words:
"When we were driving our herds homeward, we found
this garment covered with blood and dust on the highway,
a little beyond Shechem. Know now whether it be thy son's
coat or not." Jacob recognized Joseph's coat, and, overwhelmed
by grief, he fell prostrate, and long lay on the
ground motionless, like a stone. Then he arose, and set up
a loud cry, and wept, saying, "It is my son's coat."

In great haste Jacob dispatched a slave to his sons, to bid
them come to him, that he might learn more about what had
happened. In the evening they all came, their garments
rent, and dust strewn upon their heads. When they confirmed
all that Naphtali had told him, Jacob broke out in
mourning and lamentation: "It is my son's coat; an evil
beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt torn in
pieces. I sent him to you to see whether it was well with
you, and well with the flock. He went to do my errand, and
while I thought him to be with you, the misfortune befell."
Thereto the sons of Jacob made reply: "He came to us not
at all. Since we left thee, we have not set eyes on him."

After these words, Jacob could doubt no longer that
Joseph bad been torn by wild beasts, and he mourned for
his son, saying: "O my son Joseph, my son, I sent thee to