Joseph
The favored son of Jacob who is sold into Egypt by his brothers and rises to become Pharaoh's second-in-command.
At a glance
- Name
- Joseph
- Type
- Person
- Period
- Old Testament
- Appears in
- The book of Genesis
- First appearance
- Genesis 30
- Known for
- The dreamer sold into Egypt who rose to power
Who is Joseph?
Joseph is a son of Jacob and Rachel, and his father's favorite. His brothers resent him, in part because of dreams in which they bow to him, and they sell him to traders who take him to Egypt.
In Egypt Joseph serves in the house of Potiphar, is imprisoned on a false accusation, and later interprets Pharaoh's dreams of coming famine. Pharaoh puts him in charge of the whole land to prepare for it.
When the famine drives his brothers to Egypt for grain, Joseph recognizes them, tests them, and finally reveals who he is. He brings his father Jacob and the whole family to settle in Egypt.
Joseph in the Bible
The favored son and his dreams
Jacob favors Joseph, whose dreams of his family bowing to him deepen his brothers' resentment.
Read Genesis 37 →Pharaoh's dreams
Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams of famine and is put in charge of Egypt.
Read Genesis 41 →Joseph reveals himself
When his brothers come for grain, Joseph makes himself known and forgives them.
Read Genesis 45 →People connected with Joseph
- son of Jacob Joseph is the son of Jacob and Rachel, and his father's favorite.
Not to be confused with
- Joseph, the husband of Mary A different Joseph, living centuries later, is the carpenter of Nazareth betrothed to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
- Joseph of Arimathea Another Joseph, a member of the Jewish council, asks Pilate for the body of Jesus and buries it in his own tomb.
- Joseph, a brother of Jesus One of the brothers of Jesus named in Matthew 13:55 is also called Joseph (Joses in Mark 6:3).
Key passages featuring Joseph
- Joseph is sold by his brothers
- Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams
- Joseph reveals himself to his brothers
These are key passages, not a complete list of every appearance.