Joseph

Also known as: Joseph son of Jacob, Zaphnath-paaneah

Patriarch · Son of Jacob

Jacob's favored son, given a "coat of many colours" (Genesis 37:3), Joseph was hated by his brothers for his dreams of their sheaves bowing to his. They sold him into slavery for twenty pieces of silver (Genesis 37:28) — foreshadowing Christ's betrayal. In Egypt, Joseph was falsely accused by Potiphar's wife and imprisoned, yet "the LORD was with Joseph" (Genesis 39:21). His ability to interpret dreams — including Pharaoh's dream of seven fat and seven lean years — elevated him to second-in-command of all Egypt (Genesis 41:40-43). When famine struck, Joseph's brothers came to Egypt for grain, not recognizing the brother they had sold. Joseph revealed himself in one of scripture's most emotional scenes: "I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved...for God did send me before you to preserve life" (Genesis 45:4-5). His final words to his brothers capture the theology of providence: "Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good" (Genesis 50:20). Stephen draws the Christ-type parallel in Acts 7:9-14.

Key Events

1Favored by Jacob — coat of many colors
2Sold into slavery by his brothers for 20 silver
3Falsely accused — imprisoned in Egypt
4Interpreted Pharaoh's dreams — elevated to power
5Saved Egypt and his family from famine
6"God meant it for good" — theology of providence
7Type of Christ: rejected then exalted (Acts 7)

What Scripture Says (228 verses)

Genesis 30:24

And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.

Genesis · Chapter 30

Genesis 30:25

And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country.

Genesis · Chapter 30

Genesis 33:2

And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.

Genesis · Chapter 33

Genesis 33:7

And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.

Genesis · Chapter 33

Genesis 35:24

The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin:

Genesis · Chapter 35

Genesis 37:2

These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.

Genesis · Chapter 37

Genesis 37:3

Now 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.

Genesis · Chapter 37

Genesis 37:5

And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

Genesis · Chapter 37

Genesis 37:13

And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.

Genesis · Chapter 37

Genesis 37:17

And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan.