Overseer
(1-minute read)
In a whirlwind of trades and deception, Joseph, sold by his brothers, finds himself passed from hand to hand, ultimately landing in the household of Potiphar, Pharaoh’s captain of the guard. Meanwhile, as Joseph rises to power in Egypt, favored by God, his family’s intricate lives unfold across the lands, with marriages, births, and alliances shaping the tribes of Israel. Amidst these family sagas, Judah and his brothers take wives, bear children, and form the foundation of the nation’s future, while Joseph’s fateful journey is just beginning—setting the stage for a dramatic reunion and the unfolding of destiny. Each generation’s choices ripple across time, weaving an epic of survival, power, and divine intervention.
Major Characters
Minor Characters
Insignificant Characters
GENESIS
25%
JASHER
65%
JUBILEES
10%
Exposition
J: 46 | Y: 2222 | M: 7 | D: 10 | The Ishmaelites sell Joseph to some Medanim
Jasher 44:1-2
Rising Action
The Medanim remember that Potipher needs an overseer
Jasher 44:3-9
Potipher purchases Joseph
Genesis 37:36, Jasher 44:10, Jubilees 34:11b
Climax
Joseph became successful at being the overseer of Potiphar’s house
Genesis 39:1-5, Jasher 44:11-12, Jubilees 39:2-4
Y: 2223 | Potiphar is very impressed with Joseph
Genesis 39:6, Jasher 44:13-14
Falling Action
Y: 2222-2236 | Reuben marries Eliuram (Ada)
Jasher 45:1-2a, Jubilees 34:20a
Simeon marries Dinah and Bunah (Adlba’a)
Jasher 45:2b-3, Jubilees 34:20b, 21
Judah marries Aliyath (Betasu’el)
Genesis 38:1-2, Jasher 45:4a, Jubilees 34:20d
Er, Onan, and Shelah born
Genesis 38:3-5, Jasher 45:4b
Levi marries Adinah and Issachar marries Aridah
Jasher 45:5-7a, Jubilees 34:20c, 20e
Dan marries Aphlaleth (Egla)
Jasher 45:7b-8, Jubilees 34:20g
Gad marries Uzith (Maka) and Naphtali marries Merimah (Rasu’u)
Jasher 45:9-11, Jubilees 34:20h
Asher marries Adon and Hadurah (Ijona)
Jasher 45:12-18, Jubilees 34:20i
Zebulun marries Merishah (Ni’iman)
Jasher 45:19-20, Jubilees 34:20j
Y: 2224 | Benjamin marries Mechalia (Ijasaka)
Jasher 45:21-22a, Jubilees 34:20l
Resolution
Y: 2227-2233 | Reuel’s children born
Genesis 36:13, 17, Jasher 36:23b
Jubilee: 46
Year: 2222
Month: 7
Day: 10
The Ishmaelites sell Joseph to some Medanim
Jasher 44:1-2
1 And the sons of Ishmael who had bought Joseph from the Midianites, who had bought him from his brethren, went to Egypt with Joseph, and they came upon the borders of Egypt, and when they came near unto Egypt, they met four men of the sons of Medan the son of Abraham, who had gone forth from the land of Egypt on their journey.
2 And the Ishmaelites said unto them, Do you desire to purchase this slave from us? and they said, Deliver him over to us, and they delivered Joseph over to them, and they beheld him, that he was a very comely youth and they purchased him for twenty shekels.
The Medanim remember that Potiphar needs an overseer
Jasher 44:3-9
3 And the Ishmaelites continued their journey to Egypt and the Medanim also returned that day to Egypt, and the Medanim said to each other, Behold we have heard that Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, seeketh a good servant who shall stand before him to attend him, and to make him overseer over his house and all belonging to him.
4 Now therefore come let us sell him to him for what we may desire, if he be able to give unto us that which we shall require for him.
5 And these Medanim went and came to the house of Potiphar, and said unto him, We have heard that thou seekest a good servant to attend thee, behold we have a servant that will please thee, if thou canst give unto us that which we may desire, and we will sell him unto thee.
6 And Potiphar said, Bring him before me, and I will see him, and if he please me I will give unto you that which you may require for him.
7 And the Medanim went and brought Joseph and placed him before Potiphar, and he saw him, and he pleased him exceedingly, and Potiphar said unto them, Tell me what you require for this youth?
8 And they said, Four hundred pieces of silver we desire for him, and Potiphar said, I will give it you if you bring me the record of his sale to you, and will tell me his history, for perhaps he may be stolen, for this youth is neither a slave, nor the son of a slave, but I observe in him the appearance of a goodly and handsome person.
9 And the Medanim went and brought unto him the Ishmaelites who had sold him to them, and they told him, saying, He is a slave and we sold him to them.
Potiphar purchases Joseph
Genesis 37:36
36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard.
Jasher 44:10
10 And Potiphar heard the words of the Ishmaelites in his giving the silver unto the Medanim, and the Medanim took the silver and went on their journey, and the Ishmaelites also returned home.
Jubilees 34:11b
11b and they sold him to Potiphar, the eunuch of Pharaoh, the chief of the cooks, priest of the city of ‘Elew.
Joseph became successful at being the overseer of Potiphar’s house
Genesis 39:1-2
1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.
2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
Jubilees 39:2-3
2 And Joseph was seventeen years old when they took him down into the land of Egypt, and Potiphar, an eunuch of Pharaoh, the chief cook bought him.
3 And he set Joseph over all his house and the blessing of the Lord came upon the house of the Egyptian on account of Joseph, and the Lord prospered him in all that he did.
Genesis 39:3-4
3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
Jasher 44:11
11 And Potiphar took Joseph and brought him to his house that he might serve him, and Joseph found favor in the sight of Potiphar, and he placed confidence in him, and made him overseer over his house, and all that belonged to him he delivered over into his hand.
Jubilees 39:4
4 And the Egyptian committed everything into the hands of Joseph; for he saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord prospered him in all that he did.
Genesis 39:5
5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.
Jasher 44:12
12 And the Lord was with Joseph and he became a prosperous man, and the Lord blessed the house of Potiphar for the sake of Joseph.
Year: 2223
Potiphar is very impressed with Joseph
Genesis 39:6
6 And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
Jasher 44:13-14
13 And Potiphar left all that he had in the hand of Joseph, and Joseph was one that caused things to come in and go out, and everything was regulated by his wish in the house of Potiphar.
14 And Joseph was eighteen years old, a youth with beautiful eyes and of comely appearance, and like unto him was not in the whole land of Egypt.
Year: 2222-2236
Reuben marries Eliuram (Ada)i
Jasher 45:1-2a
1 And it was at that time in that year, which is the year of Joseph’s going down to Egypt after his brothers had sold him, that Reuben the son of Jacob went to Timnah and took unto him for a wife Eliuram, the daughter of Avi the Canaanite, and he came to her.
2a And Eliuram the wife of Reuben conceived and bare him Hanoch, Palu, Chetzron and Carmi, four sons;
Jubilees 34:20a
20a And after Joseph perished, the sons of Jacob took unto themselves wives. The name of Reuben’s wife is ‘Ada;
Simeon marries Dinah and Bunah (Adlba’a)
Jasher 45:2b
2b and Simeon his brother took his sister Dinah for a wife, and she bare unto him Memuel, Yamin, Ohad, Jachin and Zochar, five sons.
Jasher 45:3
3 And he afterward came to Bunah the Canaanitish woman, the same is Bunah whom Simeon took captive from the city of Shechem, and Bunah was before Dinah and attended upon her, and Simeon came to her, and she bare unto him Saul.
Jubilees 34:20b
20b and the name of Simeon’s wife is ‘Adlba’a, a Canaanite;
Jubilees 34:21
21 And Simeon repented, and took a second wife from Mesopotamia as his brothers.
Judah marries Aliyath (Betasu’el)
Genesis 38:1-2
1 And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.
2 And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her.
Jasher 45:4a
4a And Judah went at that time to Adulam, and he came to a man of Adulam, and his name was Hirah, and Judah saw there the daughter of a man from Canaan, and her name was Aliyath, the daughter of Shua, and he took her, and came to her,
Jubilees 39:20d
20d and the name of Judah’s wife, Betasu’el, a Canaanite;
Er, Onan, and Shelah born
Genesis 38:3-5
3 And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.
4 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan.
5 And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him.
Jasher 45:4b
4b and Aliyath bare unto Judah, Er, Onan and Shiloh; three sons.
Levi marries Adinah (Melka) and Issachar marries Aridah (Hezaqa)
Jasher 45:5-7a
5 And Levi and Issachar went to the land of the east, and they took unto themselves for wives the daughters of Jobab the son of Yoktan, the son of Eber; and Jobab the son of Yoktan had two daughters; the name of the elder was Adinah, and the name of the younger was Aridah.
6 And Levi took Adinah, and Issachar took Aridah, and they came to the land of Canaan, to their father’s house, and Adinah bare unto Levi, Gershon, Kehath and Merari; three sons.
7a And Aridah bare unto Issachar Tola, Puvah, Job and Shomron, four sons;
Jubilees 34:20c
20c and the name of Levi’s wife is Melka, of the daughters of Aram, of the seed of the sons of Terah;
Jubilees 34:20e
20e and the name of Issachar’s wife, Hezaqa:
Dan marries Aphlaleth (Egla)
Jasher 45:7b-8
7b and Dan went to the land of Moab and took for a wife Aphlaleth, the daughter of Chamudan the Moabite, and he brought her to the land of Canaan.
8 And Aphlaleth was barren, she had no offspring, and God afterward remembered Aphlaleth the wife of Dan, and she conceived and bare a son, and she called his name Chushim.
Jubilees 34:20g
20g and the name of Dan’s wife, ‘Egla;
Gad marries Uzith (Maka) and Naphtali marries Merimah (Rasu’u)
Jasher 45:9-11
9 And Gad and Naphtali went to Haran and took from thence the daughters of Amuram the son of Uz, the son of Nahor, for wives.
10 And these are the names of the daughters of Amuram; the name of the elder was Merimah, and the name of the younger Uzith; and Naphtali took Merimah, and Gad took Uzith; and brought them to the land of Canaan, to their father’s house.
11 And Merimah bare unto Naphtali Yachzeel, Guni, Jazer and Shalem, four sons; and Uzith bare unto Gad Zephion, Chagi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi and Arali, seven sons.
Jubilees 34:20h
20h and the name of Naphtali’s wife, Rasu’u, of Mesopotamia; and the name of Gad’s wife, Maka;
Asher marries Adon and Hadurah (Ijona)
Jasher 45:12
12 And Asher went forth and took Adon the daughter of Aphlal, the son of Hadad, the son of Ishmael, for a wife, and he brought her to the land of Canaan.
Jasher 45:13
13 And Adon the wife of Asher died in those days: she had no offspring; and it was after the death of Adon that Asher went to the other side of the river and took for a wife Hadurah the daughter of Abimael, the son of Eber, the son of Shem.
Jubilees 34:20i
20i and the name of Asher’s wife, ‘Ijona;
Jasher 45:14-18
14 And the young woman was of a comely appearance, and a woman of sense, and she had been the wife of Malkiel the son of Elam, the son of Shem.
15 And Hadurah bare a daughter unto Malkiel, and he called her name Serach, and Malkiel died after this, and Hadurah went and remained in her father’s house.
16 And after the death of the wife at Asher he went and took Hadurah for a wife, and brought her to the land of Canaan, and Serach her daughter he also brought with them, and she was three years old, and the damsel was brought up in Jacob’s house.
17 And the damsel was of a comely appearance, and she went in the sanctified ways of the children of Jacob; she lacked nothing, and the Lord gave her wisdom and understanding.
18 And Hadurah the wife of Asher conceived and bare unto him Yimnah, Yishvah, Yishvi and Beriah; four sons.
Zebulun marries Merishah (Ni’iman)
Jasher 45:19-20
19 And Zebulun went to Midian, and took for a wife Merishah the daughter of Molad, the son of Abida, the son of Midian, and brought her to the land of Canaan.
20 And Merushah bare unto Zebulun Sered, Elon and Yachleel; three sons.
Jubilees 34:20f
20f and the name of Zabulon’s wife, Ni’iman;
Year: 2224
Benjamin marries Mechalia (Ijasaka)
Jasher 45:21-22a
21 And Jacob sent to Aram, the son of Zoba, the son of Terah, and he took for his son Benjamin Mechalia the daughter of Aram, and she came to the land of Canaan to the house of Jacob; and Benjamin was ten years old when he took Mechalia the daughter of Aram for a wife.
22a And Mechalia conceived and bare unto Benjamin Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera and Naaman, five sons;
Jubilees 34:20k
20k and the name of Benjamin’s wife, ‘Ijasaka.
Year: 2222-2233
Reuel’s children born
Genesis 36:13
13 And these are the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bashemath Esau’s wife.
Genesis 36:17
17 And these are the sons of Reuel Esau’s son; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these are the dukes that came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Bashemath Esau’s wife.
Jasher 36:23b
23b the sons of Reuel were Nachath, Zerach, Shamah and Mizzah.
i. It’s estimated that the sons of Jacob married and had children during this time period.
(14-minute read)
Exposition
J: 46 | Y: 2222 | M: 7 | D: 10 | The Ishmaelites sell Joseph to some Medanim
Jasher 44:1-2
The sons of Ishmael, who had bought Joseph from the Midianites—who in turn had bought him from his brothers—traveled to Egypt with Joseph. As they approached the borders of Egypt, they encountered 4 men from the descendants of Medan, son of Abraham, who were returning from a journey out of Egypt.
The Ishmaelites said to them, “Do you want to buy this slave from us?”
They replied, “Hand him over to us.”
So they gave Joseph to them. When the Medanim saw that he was a very handsome young man, they bought him for 20 shekels.
Rising Action
The Medanim remember that Potipher needs an overseer
Jasher 44:3-9
The Ishmaelites continued on their way to Egypt, and the Medanim returned there as well that same day. The Medanim said to each other, “We’ve heard that Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, is looking for a good servant to stand before him, serve him, and manage his household and all he owns. So let’s sell him to Potiphar for whatever he’ll pay, if he can meet our asking price.”
The Medanim went to Potiphar’s house and said, “We’ve heard you’re looking for a good servant. We have someone who will please you. If you can pay us what we want, we’ll sell him to you.”
Potiphar said, “Bring him to me, and I’ll take a look. If I’m pleased, I’ll give you what you ask.”
The Medanim brought Joseph and presented him to Potiphar. Potiphar was very impressed by him and said, “Tell me what you want for this young man.”
They answered, “We want 400 pieces of silver.”
Potiphar replied, “I’ll pay it, but only if you bring me the record of his sale and tell me his background. He might be stolen. He doesn’t look like a slave or the child of a slave—I can tell he has the appearance of a noble and handsome person.”
So the Medanim brought the Ishmaelites who had sold Joseph to them. The Ishmaelites said, “He is a slave, and we sold him to them.”
Potipher purchases Joseph
Genesis 37:36, Jasher 44:10, Jubilees 34:11b
Potiphar, the eunuch of Pharaoh, chief of the cooks, and priest of the city of Elew, heard the Ishmaelites’ statement. He gave the silver to the Medanim, who took the money and continued on their way. The Ishmaelites also returned home.
Climax
Joseph became successful at being the overseer of Potiphar’s house
Genesis 39:1-5, Jasher 44:11-12, Jubilees 39:2-4
When Joseph was 17 years old, he was taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there. The LORD was with Joseph, and he became successful. He lived in the house of his Egyptian master.
Potiphar noticed that the LORD was with Joseph and made everything he did succeed. Joseph gained his favor and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his entire household and entrusted everything he owned to him.
From the moment Potiphar made Joseph overseer of his house and everything he had, the LORD blessed Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. The blessing of the LORD was on everything he owned, both in the house and in the fields.
Y: 2223 | Potiphar is very impressed with Joseph
Genesis 39:6, Jasher 44:13-14
Potiphar entrusted everything he had to Joseph. Joseph managed all the comings and goings, and everything in the house ran according to his direction. Joseph was 18 years old, a young man with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. There was no one like him in all the land of Egypt.
Falling Action
Y: 2222-2236 | Reuben marries Eliuram (Ada)
Jasher 45:1-2a, Jubilees 34:20a
During the same year Joseph was sold and taken to Egypt, Reuben, son of Jacob, went to Timnah and married Eliuram, the daughter of Avi the Canaanite. She conceived and gave birth to 4 sons: Hanoch, Palu, Chetzron, and Carmi.
Simeon marries Dinah and Bunah (Adlba’a)
Jasher 45:2b-3, Jubilees 34:20b, 21
Simeon, Reuben’s brother, married his sister Dinah. She gave birth to 5 sons: Memuel, Yamin, Ohad, Jachin, and Zochar.
Later, he married Bunah (Adlba’a), a Canaanite woman he had taken captive from Shechem. Bunah had previously served Dinah. Simeon had a son with Bunah named Saul.
Judah marries Aliyath (Betasu’el)
Genesis 38:1-2, Jasher 45:4a, Jubilees 34:20d
At that time, Judah left his brothers and went to stay with a certain Adullamite named Hirah. While there, he saw the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shuah (Shua), whose daughter was named Aliyah (Betasu’el). Judah married her and slept with her.
Er, Onan, and Shelah born
Genesis 38:3-5, Jasher 45:4b
Aliyath became pregnant and gave birth to a son named Er. She conceived again and had another son, Onan. Then she had a third son named Shelah. She gave birth to Shelah at Chezib.
Levi marries Adinah and Issachar marries Aridah
Jasher 45:5-7a, Jubilees 34:20c, 20e
Levi and Issachar traveled to the eastern lands and married daughters of Jobab, son of Yoktan, son of Eber. Jobab had 2 daughters: Adinah and Aridah. Levi married Adinah (Melka), and Issachar married Aridah (Hezaqa). They returned to Canaan, to their father’s house. Adinah bore Levi 3 sons: Gershon, Kehath, and Merari. Aridah bore Issachar 4 sons: Tola, Puvah, Job, and Shomron.
Dan marries Aphlaleth (Egla)
Jasher 45:7b-8, Jubilees 34:20g
Dan went to Moab and married Aphlaleth (Egla), daughter of Chamudan the Moabite, and brought her to Canaan. Aphlaleth was barren for a time, but God remembered her, and she conceived and gave birth to a son named Chushim.
Gad marries Uzith (Maka) and Naphtali marries Merimah (Rasu’u)
Jasher 45:9-11, Jubilees 34:20h
Gad and Naphtali went to Haran and married daughters of Amuram, son of Uz, son of Nahor. The elder daughter was Merimah (Rasu’u), and the younger was Uzith (Maka). Naphtali married Merimah, and Gad married Uzith. They returned to Canaan, to their father’s house. Merimah bore Naphtali 4 sons: Yachzeel, Guni, Jazer, and Shalem. Uzith bore Gad 7 sons: Zephion, Chagi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Arali.
Asher marries Adon and Hadurah (Ijona)
Jasher 45:12-18, Jubilees 34:20i
Asher married Adon, daughter of Aphlal, son of Hadad, son of Ishmael, and brought her to Canaan. Adon died without having children. After her death, Asher crossed the river and married Hadurah (Ijona), daughter of Abimael, son of Eber, son of Shem.
Hadurah was beautiful and intelligent. She had previously been married to Malkiel, son of Elam, son of Shem, and had a daughter named Serach. After Malkiel died, Hadurah returned to her father’s house.
After Adon’s death, Asher married Hadurah and brought her to Canaan, along with her daughter Serach, who was 3 years old. Serach was raised in Jacob’s household. She was beautiful and followed the holy ways of Jacob’s family. She lacked nothing, and the LORD gave her wisdom and understanding. Hadurah gave birth to 4 sons for Asher: Yimnah, Yishvah, Yishvi, and Beriah.
Zebulun marries Merishah (Ni’iman)
Jasher 45:19-20, Jubilees 34:20j
Zebulun went to Midian and married Merishah (Ni’iman), daughter of Molad, son of Abida, son of Midian, and brought her to Canaan. Merushah gave birth to 3 sons: Sered, Elon, and Yachleel.
Y: 2224 | Benjamin marries Mechalia (Ijasaka)
Jasher 45:21-22a, Jubilees 34:20l
Jacob sent to Aram, son of Zoba, son of Terah, and arranged a marriage for Benjamin with Mechalia (Ijasaka), daughter of Aram. She came to Canaan and joined Jacob’s household. Benjamin was 10 years old when he married Mechalia. She gave birth to 5 sons: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman.
Resolution
Y: 2227-2233 | Reuel’s children born
Genesis 36:13, 17, Jasher 36:23b
These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: Duke Nahath (Nachath), Duke Zerah (Zerach), Duke Shammah (Shamah), and Duke Mizzah. They were the sons of Bashemath, Esau’s wife.
This chart shows who was alive in the years 2222-2227.