Joseph

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"At seventeen years of age, Joseph tended sheep with his brothers." (CSB)

JOSEPH [JOE zeph] (may he add) — the name of several men in the Bible:

The 11th son of Jacob (Gen. 30:24). Joseph was sold into slavery and later rose to an important position in the Egyptian government. The account of Joseph’s life is found in Genesis 37–50.

Joseph was the first child of Rachel (30:24) and his father’s favorite son (37:31). This is most clearly shown by the special coat that Jacob gave to Joseph. This favoritism eventually brought serious trouble for the whole family. Joseph’s ten older brothers hated him because he was Jacob’s favorite and because Joseph had dreams that he interpreted to his brothers in a conceited way. It is no surprise that Joseph’s brothers hated him enough to kill him (37:4).

Joseph’s brothers were shepherds in the land of Canaan. One day Jacob sent Joseph to search for his brothers, who were tending the flocks in the fields. When Joseph found them, they seized upon the chance to kill him. The only opposing voice was Reuben’s, but they finally sold Joseph into slavery to passing merchants.

To hide the deed from their father Jacob, Joseph’s brothers took his coat and dipped it in animal blood. When Jacob saw the coat, he was convinced that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal (37:34–35).

Joseph was taken to Egypt, where he was sold to Potiphar, an officer of the ruling pharaoh of the nation. His good conduct soon earned him the highest position in the household. Potiphar’s wife became infatuated with Joseph and tempted him to commit adultery with her. When he refused, she accused him of the crime and Joseph was sent to prison.

While in prison, Joseph’s behavior earned him a position of responsibility over the other prisoners. Among the prisoners Joseph met were the pharaoh’s baker and his butler. When each of them had a dream, Joseph interpreted their dreams. When the butler left prison, he failed to intercede on Joseph’s behalf, and Joseph spent two more years in prison.

When the pharaoh had dreams that none of his counselors could interpret, the butler remembered Joseph and mentioned him to the pharaoh. Then Joseph was called to appear before the pharaoh. He interpreted the pharaoh’s dreams, predicting seven years of plentiful food, followed by seven years of famine. He also advised the pharaoh to appoint a commissioner to store up supplies during the plentiful years.

To Joseph’s surprise, the pharaoh appointed him as food commissioner. This was a position of great prestige. Under Joseph’s care, many supplies were stored and the land prospered (41:37–57). Joseph was given many comforts, including servants and a wife. He was called Zaphenath-Paneah. When the famine struck, Joseph was second only to the pharaoh in power. People from all surrounding lands came to buy food from him.

Many years passed between Joseph’s arrival in Egypt as a slave and his rise to power in the nation during the famine. The famine also struck Canaan, and Joseph’s brothers eventually came to Egypt to buy grain. When they met Joseph, they did not recognize him. He recognized them, however, and decided to test them to see if they had changed. He accused them of being spies. Then he sold them grain only on the condition that Simeon stay as a hostage until they brought Benjamin, the youngest brother, to Egypt with them.

Upon returning to Canaan, the brothers told Jacob of their experiences. He vowed not to send Benjamin to Egypt. But the continuing famine forced him to change his mind. On the next trip Benjamin went with his brothers to Egypt.

When they arrived, Joseph treated them royally, weeping openly at the sight of his youngest brother. Simeon was returned to them. After purchasing their grain, they started home. On their way home, however, they were stopped by one of Joseph’s servants, who accused them of stealing Joseph’s silver cup. The cup was found in Benjamin’s bag, where Joseph had placed it. The brothers returned to face Joseph, who declared that Benjamin must stay in Egypt. At this point Judah pleaded with Joseph, saying that it would break their father Jacob’s heart if Benjamin failed to return with them. Judah’s offer to stay in Benjamin’s place is one of the most moving passages in the Old Testament.

Joseph was overcome with emotion. He revealed himself to them as their brother, whom they had sold into slavery years earlier. At first Joseph’s brothers were afraid that Joseph would take revenge against them, but soon they were convinced that Joseph’s forgiveness was genuine. Judah’s plea on Benjamin’s behalf was evidence of the change that Joseph had hoped to find in his brothers. He sent them back to Canaan with gifts for his father and invited the family to come live in Egypt.

The grace of God working in the family of Jacob is evident in the way Joseph dealt with his brothers. Joseph did not want revenge against them. He realized that his personal suffering had preserved the family as an instrument of God’s will. Joseph also was aware that his rise to power was for the good of his family, not for his own glory (45:7–8).

 Youngblood, Ronald F., F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison, Thomas Nelson Publishers, eds. Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary 1995: n. pag. Print.