Joseph

Overview

• Testament: Old
• Role: Favored son of Jacob, dreamer, slave, prisoner, vizier of Egypt, savior of his family
• Family: Son of Jacob and Rachel, brother of Benjamin and 9 half-brothers, father of Manasseh and Ephraim
• Key Books: Genesis

Biography

Joseph was the firstborn son of Jacob and Rachel, making him Jacob’s favorite. Jacob gave him a coat of many colors, fueling his brothers’ jealousy. At age 17, Joseph had dreams of supremacy — his sheaf bowing to his brothers’, then his sun, moon, and 11 stars bowing to him.

His brothers sold him into slavery to Ishmaelite traders for 20 shekels of silver, telling Jacob he was torn apart by a wild animal. In Egypt, Joseph served Potiphar but was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison. In prison, he interpreted dreams accurately.

When Pharaoh had troubling dreams, Joseph interpreted them — 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine. At age 30, Joseph rose to second-in-command of all Egypt. He stored grain during plenty, then controlled distribution during famine.

When his brothers came to Egypt for food, Joseph tested them, then revealed himself, weeping. He forgave them completely: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” He brought his entire family to Egypt, settling them in Goshen.

Joseph died at age 110, asking his brothers to carry his bones out of Egypt when God brought them to the Promised Land — a request fulfilled centuries later during the Exodus.

Key Events

• Joseph Sold into Slavery — Betrayed by brothers
• False accusation by Potiphar’s wife
• Prison — interpreted dreams
• Rise to power — interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams
• Reconciliation with brothers
• Family relocated to Egypt (Goshen)

Relationships

• Jacob & Rachel — Parents
• Benjamin — Younger full brother
• 9 half-brothers (through Leah, Zilpah, Bilhah)
• Potiphar — Egyptian master
• Pharaoh — Ruler of Egypt
• Manasseh & Ephraim — Sons

Important Verses

• “And Joseph brought also Jacob his father up… And Joseph nourished them, and his brethren, and all his father’s house, with bread, according to their families.” — Genesis 47:12
• “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life… So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God.” — Genesis 50:17,20

Cross-References

• Matthew 1:2, 1 Chronicles 2:1 — Joseph (son of Jacob) in Jesus’ genealogy through Judah
• Hebrews 11:22 — Joseph’s end-of-life instructions about his bones
• Type of Christ — betrayed, exalted, forgives, saves
• Acts 7:9-16 — Stephen’s sermon references Joseph