Joseph (Genesis)

Joseph was an important figure in the Bible's Book of Genesis. He was the first son of Jacob and Rachel, making him Jacob's twelfth named child and eleventh son. Joseph is known for being the favourite son of Jacob, and because of this, his brothers sold him into slavery in Biblical Egypt.

In Egypt, Joseph's life took a surprising turn. After being put in prison, he showed his great skill by correctly interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh. This led to him becoming second-in-command in Egypt. His wise actions helped save Egypt during a time of little food called a famine. Because of Joseph, Jacob's family was allowed to move to Egypt to find enough food, and they settled in a place called the Land of Goshen in the eastern part of the Nile Delta.

Joseph's story is important in many religions and cultures. In Jewish tradition, he is seen as an ancestor of a future leader. In Christian tradition, he is sometimes compared to Jesus for his goodness and hard times. In Islam, Joseph, known as Yusuf, is a prophet, and the Quran tells his story with some differences. Because of his fascinating story, Joseph has inspired many books, songs, plays, and movies over the years.

Etymology

The Bible gives two reasons for the name Joseph. First, it is linked to a Hebrew root meaning "to take away." This comes from a verse where a mother says, "God has taken away my shame." Second, the name Joseph is also connected to a different root meaning "to add." This is from another verse where the mother says, "The LORD will add another son for me."

Biblical narrative

Birth and family

Joseph was the son of Jacob and Rachel. He was Rachel’s firstborn and Jacob’s eleventh son. Jacob loved Joseph more than his other children and gave him a special coat. When Joseph was seventeen, he had two dreams that upset his brothers. In the first dream, his brothers bowed down to him like grains of grain. In the second dream, the Sun (his father), the Moon (his mother), and eleven stars (his brothers) bowed to him.

Plot against Joseph

Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him. They planned to kill him but decided to sell him instead. They sold Joseph to merchants who took him to Egypt. The brothers told Jacob that Joseph had died.

Potiphar's house

In Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an important official. Joseph became Potiphar’s trusted servant. But Potiphar’s wife tried to persuade Joseph to be with her, and when he refused, she falsely accused him. Joseph was put in prison because of this lie.

Joseph in prison

In prison, Joseph interpreted dreams for two men: the cup-bearer and the baker. He told them what their dreams meant. Later, Joseph interpreted dreams for the Pharaoh, predicting seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. The Pharaoh trusted Joseph and made him a leader in Egypt.

Vizier of Egypt

Joseph became a leader in Egypt and married Asenath. During the years of plenty, he stored food. When famine came, people came to Egypt for food, and Joseph helped them.

Brothers sent to Egypt

When the famine began, Joseph’s brothers went to Egypt for food. They did not recognize Joseph, but he recognized them. Joseph tested them by asking for their youngest brother, Benjamin. He put his brothers in prison for a short time and later released them.

The silver cup

Joseph’s brothers returned home and told their father about their journey. They were worried because Joseph had asked for Benjamin to join them. When they returned to Egypt without Benjamin, Joseph questioned them about a missing silver cup he had placed in Benjamin’s bag. This made the brothers very upset.

Family reunited

Joseph finally revealed to his brothers that he was their brother. He forgave them and invited their whole family to live in Egypt. Jacob and his family moved to Egypt and settled in a place called Goshen.

Father's blessing and passing

Many years later, Jacob was very old and asked to be buried in Canaan, not Egypt. Joseph promised to do this. Before Jacob died, he blessed his sons, including Joseph. After Jacob’s death, Joseph’s brothers were worried they might be punished, but Joseph reassured them.

Joseph's burial

Joseph lived to be 110 years old. Before he died, he asked the Israelites to take his bones with them when they left Egypt. After Joseph died, his body was preserved. When the Israelites left Egypt, they took Joseph’s bones with them.

Composition and literary motifs

See also: Tale of Two Brothers

Scholars have debated when the story of Joseph was first written. Some believe it was written between the 7th century and the 5th century BCE, while others suggest it could be even older.

A key part of Joseph’s story is his ability to interpret dreams. The story begins with Joseph having dreams himself, which causes trouble with his brothers. Later, Joseph’s skill at interpreting dreams helps him rise to an important position. He first interprets dreams for prisoners and then for Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt. Pharaoh is so impressed that he makes Joseph second-in-command of the whole country. This leads to the powerful moment when Joseph finally reveals who he truly is to his brothers.

Jewish tradition

See also: Vayeshev, Miketz, Vayigash, and Vayechi

In Jewish stories, Joseph's journey to Egypt was part of a bigger plan to help his family. His brothers sold him, and this led him to a new place and purpose. Even small details, like the people involved, show how everything was guided in a special way.

Joseph faced many challenges, like choosing not to go against his beliefs even when it was hard. These moments show his strong character and faith. Later, his life took many turns, but each step helped him grow and prepare for his future role.

Christian tradition

Joseph is remembered in the New Testament as a good example of faith. Many Christian churches honor him as one of the Holy Forefathers. In the Armenian Apostolic Church, he is remembered on July 26. In the Eastern Orthodox Church and some Eastern Catholic Churches, he is called "Joseph the all-comely" and is honored on the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers and on Holy and Great Monday. Some Christian thinkers have seen Joseph's life as a symbol of things to come, including ideas about Jesus. This idea was shared by many writers and leaders over many years.

Islamic tradition

Main article: Joseph in Islam

In Islamic tradition, Joseph (Arabic: يوسُف, Yūsuf) is seen as a prophet. The Quran includes a whole chapter called Surah Yusuf just for his story, which is described as the "best of stories." Joseph was known for his great beauty. His story shares many parts with the biblical tale but has some differences. In the Quran, Joseph's brothers ask their father, Jacob (Yaqub), to let Joseph join them. Joseph is thrown into a well and later taken as a slave by travelers. When the brothers tell their father a wolf took Joseph, he remains patient and sad.

Later, Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers and forgives them. He sends them a special garment that heals his father's eyesight. The story ends with Joseph's family moving to Egypt and a happy reunion between Jacob and Joseph. Joseph prays for guidance and to be remembered as someone who follows God's ways.

Baha'i tradition

The Bahá'í Faith also speaks about Joseph. In their important writings, the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh have made references to Joseph. Bahá'u'lláh, in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, says that from his laws, a sweet smell can be noticed, like from Joseph's garment. In the Four Valleys, he talks about a nice smell coming from Egypt, which refers to Joseph.

Bahá'í writers explain these words as metaphors. They say the "garment" means recognizing a special sign of God. The Báb, in the Qayyumu'l-Asma', calls Bahá'u'lláh the true Joseph and predicts that Bahá'u'lláh would face hard times because of his brother, Mírzá Yahyá.

Literature and culture

The story of Joseph has inspired many books, films, and musical shows over the years. One famous musical is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, which was later made into a film in 1999.

There are also television shows and movies, such as the 2008–2009 Iranian series Prophet Joseph and the 2013 Brazilian miniseries José do Egito. These stories all retell the biblical tale of Joseph from the book of Genesis.