Patriarchs · around 1900-1800 BC
Joseph in the Bible
From the pit to the palace. Name meaning: “May he add”: “The LORD shall add to me another son,” said Rachel (Gen 30:24); in Egypt, Pharaoh calls him Zaphnath-paaneah (Gen 41:45)
Jacob’s favorite son, sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph stays faithful to God in Egypt, first in Potiphar’s house and then in prison. After interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, he becomes governor of Egypt at thirty and saves a multitude from famine, his own family included. His forgiveness of his brothers sums up divine providence: “Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” (Gen 50:20).
Key moments
- The coat of many colors Genesis 37:3
- Sold for twenty shekels of silver Genesis 37:28
- He flees Potiphar’s wife Genesis 39:12
- He explains Pharaoh’s dreams Genesis 41:25
- Set over all the land of Egypt Genesis 41:41
- His brothers bow down before him Genesis 42:6
- “I am Joseph!” Genesis 45:3
- “God meant it unto good” Genesis 50:20
Strengths
- Integrity
- Purity
- Faithfulness in trials
- Wisdom
- Forgiveness
Weaknesses
As a young man, Joseph brings his brothers’ bad report to their father and tells his dreams of greatness with little tact, which fuels their jealousy (Gen 37:2-10). After that, Scripture records no notable failing in his life—a rare thing among the great figures of Genesis.
Lessons for today
- Flee temptation instead of arguing with it: Joseph chose to lose his garment rather than his purity (Gen 39:12; 2 Tim 2:22).
- God is with you even in injustice and neglect: faithfulness in small things prepares you for great ones (Gen 39:21-23).
- God turns evil into good for those who love him: reread your story in the light of his providence (Gen 50:20; Rom 8:28).
- True forgiveness gives up revenge and cares for the offender (Gen 50:19-21).
There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
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.
People around Joseph
- Jacob — Father
- Rachel — Mother, who died giving birth to Benjamin
- Benjamin — Full brother
- Judah — Half-brother who proposed selling him, then offered himself in Benjamin’s place
- Potiphar — Egyptian master, captain of the guard
- Asenath — Egyptian wife, mother of Manasseh and Ephraim
Stories with Joseph
Quiz: how well do you know Joseph?
How old was Joseph when he was tending the flock with his brothers at the start of his story?
“Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren.” He will be thirty when he stands before Pharaoh. Genesis 37:2
For how much was Joseph sold by his brothers?
His brothers lifted him out of the pit “and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver.” Genesis 37:28
What did the seven fat cows in Pharaoh’s dream represent?
“The seven good kine are seven years”: seven years of great plenty. It is the lean cows that announce the famine. Genesis 41:26–29
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.