1L

1L

Hezron son of Perez begat a daughter, Huldah, and he begat Jerahmeel, who took to wife Janohah daughter of Ahijah. And Jarahmeel son of Hezron begat a daughter, Taphath, and he begat Achar. who took to wife Taralah daughter of Asahel.

Achar became chieftain of the tribe of Benjamin. And the Benjaminites built the cities of Gibeon and Ai, and seized Jericho and Gilgal. The tribe occupied the high country around Beit-El even as far as the river in the East in the Valley of Salt.

Israel's son Levi remained in Beit-El and was taught of his father in all the ways of the Abrahamic Covenant, that he might become priest after the passing of his father. Israel dwelt in Beit-El until the end of his days and he begat more sons and daughters. In the nine and ninetieth year of the Covenant he died and was laid in the cave of Machpelah that housed the bones of his ancestors.

Israel's third son Joseph begat a daughter named Jerusha, and he begat a son, Machir, who built the town of Socoh after the manner of Beit-El. And Joseph also begat a son, Becher, who led a company to waylay the men of Juttah, and smote their horses and chariots, and slew the Juttahites with a great slaughter.

A herald of God Most High who gave the name Jashen came to Levi in Beit-El, commanding him, "Rehearse in my hearing the Ten Words of the Covenant of your fathers."

And Levi said, "God Most High is your God. Serve no other gods. Countenance no injustice. Make no images. Crave nothing of another. Do not consume blood. Eat no swine. Eat no shellfish. Every male of you shall be circumcised. Observe the yearly Day of Atonement.'

Jashen said, "You have spoken well, for the same is carved upon this tablet which was made by the hands of Bat-El himself." And Jashen set before Levi a black tablet made as it were of stone, with letters carved upon it and embossed with gold.

Jashen said, "Make a chest of wood for this Table of the Covenant and place it therein that it may be carried about to the towns of the children of Israel. When the Day of Atonement is at hand, at sunset, the tablet will sound a blast like that from a ram's horn. You and all the people of Beit-El shall eat no food until the atonement with God Most High has been made by you the high priest, and by the fruit of your loins who shall become high priest after you."