Interesting Facts

• Joseph brought evil reports concerning his brothers to his father.
• He exalted himself above his brethren, even after acknowledging their strength.
• While sold into slavery, Joseph was initially placed in a pit in the wilderness by his brothers.
• Joseph was seventeen years old when sold into Egypt.
• Despite facing daily enticements from Potiphar’s wife, Zelicah, for over a year, Joseph consistently refused her advances, citing his fear of God.
• Joseph interpreted dreams while in prison, accurately predicting the fates of the chief butler and the chief baker.
• Pharaoh’s wife gave birth to a son on the same day that Pharaoh’s firstborn son died, a sign Joseph provided to validate his interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams.
• Joseph spoke to Pharaoh in all languages.
• As the second in command in Egypt, Joseph made war with surrounding enemies, subduing the Philistines and Canaanites.
• Joseph lived to be 110 years old according to one source, while another states he lived 93 years and reigned for 80.

Genealogy

• Joseph was a son of Jacob and Rachel.
• His full brother was Benjamin.
• His half-brothers (sons of Leah) were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
• His half-brothers (sons of Zilpah) were Gad and Asher.
• His half-brothers (sons of Bilhah) were Dan and Naphtali.
• His sister was Dinah.
• Joseph married Asenath, the daughter of Potiphar, priest of Heliopolis.
• His sons, born in Egypt before Jacob’s arrival, were Manasseh and Ephraim.
• Benjamin named his ten sons after Joseph, whom he had not seen.

Historical Context

Joseph’s life spanned a significant transition for his family, from their nomadic existence in Canaan to their established dwelling in Egypt. The early part of his life was marked by familial tensions and jealousies amongst his brothers, culminating in his sale into slavery. The cultural context of Canaan at the time, though not extensively detailed regarding interactions with other groups in these sources besides the Shechemites, likely involved intermingling and potential conflicts with neighboring peoples. In Egypt, Joseph entered a society with a distinct hierarchy and religious beliefs. His time in Potiphar’s household and later in prison exposed him to Egyptian customs and power structures. The pivotal event of Pharaoh’s dreams and Joseph’s interpretation elevated him to a position of immense authority during a time of impending famine, a crisis that would significantly impact both Egypt and the surrounding lands, including Canaan. Joseph’s governance during the famine and his subsequent role in welcoming his family to Egypt highlight the political and economic realities of the time. The emphasis on dreams and their interpretation suggests a cultural significance attached to divination and omens in ancient Egypt.

Narrative

Joseph’s personal story is one of dramatic reversals, from favored son to slave, then to prisoner, and ultimately to the second most powerful man in Egypt. His early narrative is characterized by his father’s special affection and his reporting of his brothers’ misdeeds, which fueled their hatred towards him. The brothers’ plot against him led to his being thrown into a pit and subsequently sold to Midianite and then Ishmaelite merchants, who brought him to Egypt. In Egypt, he served Potiphar and gained his trust until false accusations from Potiphar’s wife led to his imprisonment. While in prison, his ability to interpret dreams brought him to the attention of Pharaoh, who sought his wisdom after his own wise men failed to interpret his perplexing dreams. Joseph’s accurate interpretation and his wise counsel regarding the impending famine led to his swift elevation to governor over all of Egypt. In this position, he implemented measures to store grain and manage the famine, which eventually brought his own brothers to Egypt seeking food. Joseph tested his brothers, concealing his identity while observing their interactions and their concern for their youngest brother Benjamin. The intense confrontation with Judah, who pleaded for Benjamin’s release, finally prompted Joseph to reveal his true identity, leading to emotional reconciliation. Joseph reassured his brothers, attributing their actions to God’s plan to preserve their family. He then arranged for his father Jacob and the entire family to relocate to Egypt, settling them in the land of Goshen. The narrative concludes with Jacob’s blessing of Joseph’s sons, his final prophecies over his sons including Joseph, and Joseph’s prominent role in his father’s burial in Canaan. Even after Jacob’s death, Joseph maintained his powerful position in Egypt, ruling for many years and ensuring the well-being of his family. His life exemplifies themes of betrayal, forgiveness, divine providence, and the preservation of the covenant family.