David C. Mitchell's "Messiah ben Joseph" provides a comprehensive exploration of the lesser-known yet significant figure in Jewish messianic tradition. Mitchell delves into the historical, theological, and literary contexts of Messiah ben Joseph, tracing his origins from Genesis and Deuteronomy, and examining interpretations through rabbinic literature and modern scholarship. The book highlights the dual nature of this messiah as both a suffering servant and an exalted ruler, prefiguring and complementing the better-known Messiah ben David. Mitchell argues that Messiah ben Joseph is not a rabbinic invention but an intrinsic part of ancient Jewish tradition, symbolizing hope and redemption through sacrificial death and subsequent resurrection. Through meticulous analysis, Mitchell reveals how this figure's narrative has evolved and persisted, influencing both Jewish and Christian eschatological thought.

In this chapter about "Messiah ben Joseph in the Prophets," the author explores the diverse prophetic visions of the restoration of the Ephraimites and their eventual reunification with Judah. Various prophets, including Micah, Habakkuk, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah, each presented different expectations for a future leader who would guide this reunified nation. Micah anticipated a hero from Joseph's line who would come to Migdal Eder at Bethlehem, while Habakkuk looked for another Joshua. Jeremiah and Ezekiel envisioned a future king from the house of David, with Jeremiah painting Josiah in Josephite colors. Isaiah's prophecies introduced a suffering servant with Josephite characteristics, who would atone for many through his suffering and triumph. Zechariah synthesized elements from all these prophets, portraying a coming king who embodied traits from both the house of David and Joseph, enduring suffering and death like a second Joseph and Josiah. This convergence of messianic expectations illustrates the rich tapestry of prophetic traditions, accommodating the concept of an Ephraimite Messiah within the broader narrative of Israel's restoration.

Chapter Four of the book review discusses the Psalms' dual role in celebrating historical kings like David and prophetically pointing to a future Messiah, with Joseph highlighted as a savior figure. Chapter Five examines pseudepigraphic texts from the second century BC to the first century AD, which suggest an anticipation of a second Joshua from Joseph's lineage. Texts like I Enoch, the Testament of Naphtali, and the Testament of Benjamin depict a sacrificial Messiah from Joseph's line who dies for the impious and is later transformed. The Sibylline Oracles and the Apocalypse of Ezra also envision a second Joshua who suffers and returns gloriously, while "Joseph and Aseneth" and Ben Sira present Joseph as a redemptive figure. These texts, despite potential Christian interpolations, reflect pre-Christian views of a sacrificial second Joshua as foretold in Moses's Blessing on Joseph.

In Chapters Six and Seven of the book, the blog post reviews the presence of Messiah ben Joseph in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Targums. Chapter Six highlights texts like 4QTestimonia (4Q175) and 4Q372.1, which depict a Josephite Messiah figure, a future redeemer associated with prophet, king, and priest roles. The chapter discusses how these texts align with eschatological traditions, presenting a righteous, suffering Messiah. Chapter Seven delves into the Targums, such as the Targum Yerushalmi on Exodus 40:9–11, which links messianic figures to Israel's tribes and introduces a Messiah bar Ephraim alongside other prominent redeemers. Both chapters emphasize the complex, yet coherent eschatological vision within Jewish apocalyptic thought, portraying the Josephite Messiah as a pivotal figure in ultimate redemption.