Joseph Yusuf
Joseph, sold into Egypt, becomes a preserver of life through God's providence.
AI-generated artistic depiction (no historical imagery exists)
Joseph (Yusuf) is introduced as the son of Rachel and Jacob, born when Rachel declared, "The LORD shall add to me another son" (Genesis 30:24). He is the younger brother of Benjamin (Genesis 35:24) and was favored by his father Israel, who made him a coat of many colours (Genesis 37:3). At seventeen, Joseph was feeding the flock with his brothers and brought an evil report of them to his father (Genesis 37:2). His dreams and his father's favor provoked his brothers' hatred (Genesis 37:5).
Lore & Background
Joseph's story begins with his birth to Rachel (Genesis 30:24) and his father's special love, symbolized by the coat of many colours (Genesis 37:3). His brothers' jealousy grew after he shared his dreams (Genesis 37:5). Sent by his father to check on them in Shechem (Genesis 37:13), Joseph found them in Dothan (Genesis 37:17). There, they stripped him of his coat (Genesis 37:23) and sold him to Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver, who brought him to Egypt (Genesis 37:28). Reuben returned to find Joseph gone and rent his clothes (Genesis 37:29); the brothers deceived Jacob with the bloodied coat (Genesis 37:31, 37:33). In Egypt, Joseph was bought by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer (Genesis 39:1). The LORD was with Joseph, making him prosperous and giving him favor in Potiphar's sight, so he was made overseer of the household (Genesis 39:2, 39:4). The LORD blessed Potiphar's house for Joseph's sake (Genesis 39:5). Joseph was well favored (Genesis 39:6), and Potiphar's wife repeatedly urged him to lie with her, which he refused (Genesis 39:7, 39:10). Eventually, she caught him alone and falsely accused him, leading to his imprisonment (Genesis 39:11, 39:20). Yet the LORD was with Joseph in prison, showing him mercy and giving him favor with the keeper (Genesis 39:21). Years later, after interpreting dreams and rising to power, Joseph revealed himself to his brothers. He told them not to be grieved for selling him, saying, "God did send me before you to preserve life" (Genesis 45:5). This statement reframes his entire journey—from betrayal to slavery to prison—as part of a divine plan to save many lives.
Reader's Guide
The passages portray Joseph as a figure of divine providence and resilience. From his youth, he is marked by favor (Genesis 37:3) and conflict with his brothers (Genesis 37:5). His coat, dreams, and report to his father set him apart, leading to his sale into Egypt (Genesis 37:23-28). Despite being stripped of his status, the LORD's presence with Joseph is a constant theme: in Potiphar's house (Genesis 39:2-5) and in prison (Genesis 39:21). Joseph's moral integrity is shown in his refusal of Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39:10), yet he suffers unjust imprisonment (Genesis 39:20). The turning point is his own testimony in Genesis 45:5, where he interprets his suffering as God's mission to preserve life. The passages do not show Joseph's rise to power or his dreams' fulfillment; they focus on his early life, betrayal, servitude, and imprisonment, culminating in his redemptive perspective. The narrative emphasizes that human evil (selling him) is overruled by divine purpose, without minimizing the brothers' guilt or Joseph's pain.
Did You Know?
- Joseph was the son of Rachel, who named him hoping for another son (Genesis 30:24).
- Joseph was sold to Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver (Genesis 37:28).
- The LORD blessed Potiphar's entire household for Joseph's sake (Genesis 39:5).
- Joseph was imprisoned despite refusing his master's wife's advances (Genesis 39:10, 39:20).