Joseph in Egypt
Overview
- Testament: Old
- Book: Genesis
- Chapters: Genesis 39–50
- Summary: Joseph rises from slave and prisoner to second-in-command of Egypt, preserving his family through seven years of famine.
Details
After being sold by his brothers, Joseph was taken to Egypt where he served in Potiphar’s house. When Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him, he was imprisoned. Even in prison, God gave him favor — he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker accurately.
When Pharaoh was troubled by two dreams that none of his wise men could interpret, the cupbearer remembered Joseph. Joseph declared that God alone gives interpretations, and explained that the seven fat cows and seven full heads of grain meant seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh immediately appointed Joseph as his second-in-command to manage Egypt’s response.
During the famine, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt for grain. Through a series of tests Joseph revealed himself to them with tears, declaring “God sent me before you to preserve life.” He brought his father Jacob and the entire family to settle in the land of Goshen. When Jacob died, the brothers feared Joseph would take revenge; Joseph’s response is one of the most complete expressions of providence in the Old Testament: “Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.”
Key People Involved
- Joseph — Sold into slavery, becomes ruler of Egypt
- Potiphar — Egyptian official who bought Joseph
- Pharaoh — Promoted Joseph; received the dream interpretation
- Jacob — Joseph’s father, brought to Egypt in old age
- Judah — Led the brothers in the second visit; offered himself for Benjamin
Key Places
- Egypt — Setting for Joseph’s years of service and rule
- Canaan — Where Jacob’s family lived and from which they traveled to Egypt
Important Verses
“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” — Genesis 50:20
Cross-References
- Joseph Sold into Slavery — The preceding event
- Genealogies of Israel — The family structure Joseph sustained
- Related books: Genesis, Acts 7, Hebrews 11:22
Notes
- Joseph’s life is widely read as a type of Christ: rejected by his brothers, suffers unjustly, exalted to a throne from which he saves those who rejected him.
- The theme of divine providence overriding human evil is crystallized in 50:20 — one of the most quoted theodicy texts in the Bible.
- Joseph’s story transitions Genesis from the patriarchal narrative of promise into the national narrative of bondage that Exodus will address.