Joseph is one of the most significant figures in the Bible, especially in the Book of Genesis, where his story is told in chapters 37–50. He was the 11th son of Jacob (also known as Israel) and his wife Rachel, making him one of the 12 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel. His story is rich with themes of betrayal, faith, perseverance, and God’s providence.
Bible Joseph Family Tree
The genealogy of Joseph in the Bible is detailed primarily in the Book of Genesis. Joseph is part of the larger family tree of Jacob, whose name was later changed to Israel. Joseph is one of the twelve sons of Jacob, each of whom became the ancestor of one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
Joseph’s Father: Jacob (Israel)
Jacob is the son of Isaac, and Isaac is the son of Abraham, making Joseph a descendant of the patriarchs Abraham and Isaac. Jacob had twelve sons, who became the leaders of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Joseph was the 11th son of Jacob, born to Jacob’s favorite wife, Rachel.
Joseph’s Mother: Rachel
Rachel was the daughter of Laban and Adinah from the region of Haran. She was one of the two wives of Jacob (the other being Leah), and she bore Jacob two sons: Joseph and Benjamin. Rachel had been initially barren, but she later gave birth to Joseph after much prayer and divine intervention.
Joseph’s Siblings:
Joseph had eleven brothers and one sister. These brothers were born to Jacob from four different women:
Leah: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and a daughter named Dinah.
Bilhah (Rachel’s maidservant): Dan and Naphtali.
Zilpah (Leah’s maidservant)Gad and Asher.
Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin (the youngest).
Joseph’s Sons:
While living in Egypt, Joseph married Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On (also called Heliopolis). Joseph had two sons with Asenath:
Manasseh: The elder son, whose descendants later became one of the tribes of Israel.
Ephraim: The younger son, who also became one of the tribes of Israel.
When Jacob (Israel) later blessed Joseph’s sons, he gave them an equal share of inheritance among the twelve tribes, effectively adopting them as his own sons (Genesis 48:5). This action elevated Ephraim and Manasseh to the status of full tribes of Israel, which is why in the lists of the Twelve Tribes, the tribes of Joseph are represented by his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, rather than Joseph himself.
Scriptures about Joseph
Joseph is a key figure in the Bible, and his story is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, chapters 37 to 50. Below are key scriptures that highlight various aspects of Joseph’s life, including his early years, betrayal, rise to power, and reconciliation with his brothers.
Genesis 37:2: “This is the account of Jacob’s family line. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.”
Genesis 37:3: “Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him.”
Genesis 37:5-6: “Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, ‘Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.'”
Genesis 37:9: “Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. ‘Listen,’ he said, ‘I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.'”
Genesis 37:18-20: “But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. ‘Here comes that dreamer!’ they said to each other. ‘Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.'”
Genesis 37:23-24: “So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing—and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.”
Genesis 37:28: “When the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.”
Genesis 39:2-3: “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant.”
Genesis 39:6: “So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.”
Genesis 39:9: “No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”
Genesis 39:19-20: “When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, ‘This is how your slave treated me,’ he burned with anger. Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.”
Genesis 39:21-23: “But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.”
Genesis 40:8: “We both had dreams, they answered, but there is no one to interpret them. Then Joseph said to them, ‘Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.'”
Genesis 40:12-13: “This is what it means, Joseph said to him: The three branches are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to when you were his cupbearer.”
Genesis 41:16: “‘I cannot do it,’ Joseph replied to Pharaoh, ‘but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.'”
Genesis 41:29-30: “Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land.”
Genesis 41:46: “Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt.”
Genesis 41:55-56: “When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, ‘Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.'”
Genesis 45:3: “Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph! Is my father still living?’ But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.”
Genesis 45:4-5: “Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come close to me.’ When they had done so, he said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.'”
Genesis 50:19-20: “But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? “
Story of Joseph in the Bible
1. Joseph’s Early Life (Genesis 37)
Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob (who was also called Israel) and his beloved wife, Rachel. Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, which caused great jealousy and resentment among his brothers. To show his affection, Jacob gave Joseph a multicolored robe, which further fueled their animosity.
Joseph had two dreams that seemed to suggest that one day, his brothers and even his parents would bow down to him. In one dream, his brothers’ sheaves of grain bowed down to his sheaf, and in another, the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed down to him. When Joseph shared these dreams with his family, it deepened the brothers’ hatred for him.
2. Joseph’s Betrayal (Genesis 37:12-36)
One day, Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers who were tending sheep in the fields. When the brothers saw Joseph approaching in his colorful robe, they plotted to kill him, saying they would throw him into a cistern and claim that a wild animal had killed him. However, Reuben, the eldest brother, intervened, suggesting that they throw Joseph into a dry pit instead, intending to rescue him later.
But while Reuben was away, Judah suggested that they sell Joseph to a caravan of Ishmaelite traders passing by. The brothers agreed and sold Joseph for twenty pieces of silver. They then dipped his robe in goat’s blood and presented it to their father, Jacob, leading him to believe that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal.
3. Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 39)
Joseph was taken to Egypt, where he was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. Despite his circumstances, Joseph prospered because the Lord was with him. Potiphar recognized Joseph’s abilities and put him in charge of his household. However, Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, but he refused. In retaliation, she falsely accused him of attempting to assault her, leading to Joseph being thrown into prison.
Even in prison, Joseph found favor with the prison warden, who put him in charge of other prisoners because of his competence and the Lord’s favor. Joseph’s faithfulness continued to shine through his trials.
4. Joseph Interprets Dreams (Genesis 40-41)
While in prison, Joseph encountered two of Pharaoh’s servants: the cupbearer and the baker, both of whom had troubling dreams. Joseph interpreted their dreams accurately—one would be restored to his position, and the other would be executed. He asked the cupbearer to remember him when he was released, but the cupbearer forgot about Joseph.
Two years later, Pharaoh had two perplexing dreams that none of his wise men could interpret. The cupbearer then remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh about his ability to interpret dreams. Joseph was brought before Pharaoh and, by the power of God, interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams. He explained that Egypt would experience seven years of abundance, followed by seven years of famine. Joseph advised Pharaoh to store up grain during the years of plenty to prepare for the coming famine.
Impressed by Joseph’s wisdom, Pharaoh appointed him as his second-in-command, giving him authority over the land of Egypt. Joseph was given the name Zaphenath-Paneah and married Asenath, the daughter of a priest of On. He was put in charge of managing Egypt’s resources during the years of abundance.
5. The Famine and Joseph’s Brothers (Genesis 42-45)
When the famine began, it affected not only Egypt but also surrounding regions, including Canaan, where Jacob and his family lived. Hearing that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob sent his ten older sons to buy food. He kept Benjamin, Joseph’s full brother, at home, fearing for his safety.
When the brothers arrived in Egypt, they did not recognize Joseph, who was now dressed in Egyptian attire and held a high position. Joseph, however, recognized them. He accused them of being spies and imprisoned them for three days. He then demanded that they bring Benjamin to Egypt to prove their story. After some initial hesitation, Jacob allowed Benjamin to go.
Upon their return, Joseph arranged a banquet for his brothers and secretly placed his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. When the brothers were accused of stealing the cup, they were brought back to Joseph. At this point, Joseph revealed his identity to them in a deeply emotional moment, saying, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” (Genesis 45:3).
Joseph assured his brothers that their actions, though wrong, had been part of God’s plan to save lives during the famine. He forgave them, and they reconciled.
6. Joseph’s Reunion with His Father (Genesis 46-47)
Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his family to move to Egypt, offering them the best land in the region of Goshen. Jacob and his family, along with all their possessions, settled in Egypt, and Joseph provided for them during the remaining years of famine. Jacob lived in Egypt for 17 years before he died.
Before his death, Jacob blessed Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, and adopted them as his own, ensuring they would receive a portion of the inheritance alongside his other sons.
7. The Death of Jacob and Joseph’s Final Words (Genesis 48-50)
After Jacob’s death, Joseph’s brothers feared that he would seek revenge for their earlier betrayal. Joseph reassured them by saying, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).
Joseph continued to care for his brothers and their families, providing them with protection and resources. Before his death, Joseph made his brothers swear to carry his bones out of Egypt when God would deliver them back to the Promised Land, as he knew that God’s covenant with their ancestors would one day be fulfilled.
Joseph died at the age of 110, and his body was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt, awaiting the day when the Israelites would leave Egypt and fulfill God’s promises.
Joseph In The Bible Meaning
The name “Joseph” in the Bible has significant meaning, both in terms of its linguistic roots and the role it represents within biblical narratives.
Etymology: The name Joseph is derived from the Hebrew name Yosef (יוֹסֵף), which means “God will increase” or “God will add.” It is often interpreted as a prayer for God’s blessing and an increase in blessings or offspring.
Biblical Significance:
Joseph, Son of Jacob: Joseph is one of the twelve sons of Jacob and Rachel, and he plays a prominent role in the Book of Genesis. His story is one of resilience and divine providence. Joseph is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, rises to power in Egypt, and ultimately reunites with his family, saving them from famine. His life story is often seen as a reflection of God’s plan and guidance, demonstrating themes of forgiveness, faith, and providence.
Joseph, Husband of Mary: In the New Testament, Joseph is the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. He is depicted as a righteous man who obeys God’s commands and plays a protective role in the early life of Jesus. His obedience to God’s will, even in the face of difficult and mysterious circumstances, emphasizes his righteousness and trust in God’s plan.
FAQs About Joseph
1. What was special about Joseph in the Bible?
Joseph was special for his remarkable ability to interpret dreams, his unwavering faith in God, and his rise from slavery and imprisonment to become a ruler in Egypt, saving his family from famine. His story highlights forgiveness, redemption, and God’s divine plan.
2. Why was Joseph loved most?
Joseph was loved most by his father, Jacob, because he was the firstborn of his beloved wife Rachel. Jacob’s special affection led him to give Joseph a richly ornamented coat, causing jealousy among Joseph’s brothers, who eventually sold him into slavery.
3. What are three qualities of Joseph?
Joseph exhibited resilience, integrity, and wisdom. Despite being betrayed by his brothers, he remained faithful to God, maintained moral integrity, and used his wisdom to interpret dreams and manage Egypt’s resources, ultimately helping his family during a severe famine.
4. How many dreams did Joseph have?
Joseph had two significant dreams that foretold his future. In the first, his brothers’ sheaves of grain bowed to his, and in the second, the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed to him, symbolizing his eventual leadership and his family’s submission to him.
5. What did Joseph wait 22 years for?
Joseph waited 22 years for a reunion with his family. After being sold into slavery and enduring hardships, Joseph longed for reconciliation with his brothers and the fulfillment of God’s promise that his family would bow to him, which ultimately came to pass during the famine.