Joseph, son of Jacob

Joseph, son of Jacob: Joseph was the son of Jacob and Rachel, sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers. He interpreted Pharaoh's dreams, became ruler over Egypt under Pharaoh, and provided for his family during the famine.

Dreams and betrayal

• Genesis 37:3-11
  ³Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors. ⁴And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. ⁵And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. ⁶And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: ⁷For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine.” ⁸And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.“Do you intend to reign over us?” his brothers asked. “Will you actually rule us?” So they hated him even more because of his dream and his statements. ⁹And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.Then Joseph had another dream and told it to his brothers. “Look,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” ¹⁰And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?He told his father and brothers, but his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream that you have had? Will your mother and brothers and I actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” ¹¹And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept in mind what he had said.
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• Genesis 37:23-28
  ²³And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the robe of many colors he was wearing— ²⁴And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, with no water in it. ²⁵And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.And as they sat down to eat a meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt. ²⁶And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? ²⁷Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed. ²⁸Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
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Potiphar's house and prison

• Genesis 39:1-6
  ¹And 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.Meanwhile, Joseph had been taken down to Egypt, where an Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. ²And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master. ³And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.When his master saw that the LORD was with him and made him prosper in all he did, ⁴And 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.Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned. ⁵And 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.From the time that he put Joseph in charge of his household and all he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s household on account of him. The LORD’s blessing was on everything he owned, both in his house and in his field. ⁶And 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.So Potiphar left all that he owned in Joseph’s care; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,
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• Genesis 39:7-12
  ⁷And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.and after some time his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph and said, “Sleep with me.” ⁸But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;But he refused. “Look,” he said to his master’s wife, “with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has entrusted everything he owns to my care. ⁹There 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?No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?” ¹⁰And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.Although Potiphar’s wife spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be near her. ¹¹And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.One day, however, Joseph went into the house to attend to his work, and not a single household servant was inside. ¹²And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.She grabbed Joseph by his cloak and said, “Sleep with me!” But leaving his cloak in her hand, he escaped and ran outside.
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• Genesis 39:19-23
  ¹⁹And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is what your slave did to me,” he burned with anger. ²⁰And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.So Joseph’s master took him and had him thrown into the prison where the king’s prisoners were confined. While Joseph was there in the prison, ²¹But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. ²²And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.And the warden put all the prisoners under Joseph’s care, so that he was responsible for all that was done in the prison. ²³The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.The warden did not concern himself with anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
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Ruler over Egypt

• Genesis 41:14-16
  ¹⁴Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, who was quickly brought out of the dungeon. After he had shaved and changed his clothes, he went in before Pharaoh. ¹⁵And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” ¹⁶And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.“I myself cannot do it,” Joseph replied, “but God will give Pharaoh a sound answer.”
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• Genesis 41:38-45
  ³⁸And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?” ³⁹And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. ⁴⁰Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” ⁴¹And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.Pharaoh also told Joseph, “I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt.” ⁴²And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;Then Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck. ⁴³And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.He had Joseph ride in his second chariot, with men calling out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he placed him over all the land of Egypt. ⁴⁴And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.And Pharaoh declared to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your permission, no one in all the land of Egypt shall lift his hand or foot.” ⁴⁵And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath–paaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti–pherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah, and he gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph took charge of all the land of Egypt.
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Reconciled with his brothers

• Genesis 42:6-8
  ⁶And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground. ⁷And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.And when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them as strangers and spoke harshly to them. “Where have you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied. “We are here to buy food.” ⁸And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.
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• Genesis 45:1-8
  ¹Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me!” So none of them were with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. ²And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household soon heard of it. ³And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence. ⁴And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt! ⁵Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you. ⁶For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.For the famine has covered the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. ⁷And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. ⁸So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God, who has made me a father to Pharaoh—lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
  Show context · Read Genesis 45 →
• Genesis 50:19-21
  ¹⁹And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ²⁰But 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.As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people. ²¹Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.
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Death and burial

• Genesis 50:22-26
  ²²And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father’s house: and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years.Now Joseph and his father’s household remained in Egypt, and Joseph lived to the age of 110. ²³And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph’s knees.He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation, and indeed the sons of Machir son of Manasseh were brought up on Joseph’s knees. ²⁴And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely visit you and bring you up from this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” ²⁵And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.And Joseph made the sons of Israel take an oath and said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.” ²⁶So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.So Joseph died at the age of 110. And they embalmed his body and placed it in a coffin in Egypt.
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• Exodus 13:19
  And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear a solemn oath when he said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones with you from this place.”
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• Joshua 24:32
  And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.And the bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought up out of Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the plot of land that Jacob had purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver. So it became an inheritance for Joseph’s descendants.
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In the New Testament

• Acts 7:9-14
  ⁹And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him ¹⁰And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household. ¹¹Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food. ¹²But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit. ¹³And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph’s kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.On their second visit, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and his family became known to Pharaoh. ¹⁴Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all.
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• Hebrews 11:22
  By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones.
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See also

• Jacob
• Forgiveness
• Temptation
• Sovereignty of God

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.