top of page
Search

Joseph

Updated: Oct 11, 2020

“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20)


Date

1914 BC - 1805 BC


Bible Reference

Genesis 30:24 – 50:26


Joseph

Meaning: "He will Increase"

Manasseh

Meaning: "One Who Forgets" (God made Joseph forget all his hardships; Genesis 41:51)

Ephraim

Meaning: "Double Fruitfulness" (God made Joseph fruitful in the land of his suffering Genesis 41:52)

Symbol: Sheaf of grain (or grapevine)

Stone/Color (Manasseh): Agate / Yellowish-brown (Exodus 28:19)

Stone/Color (Ephraim): Jacinth / Orangish-red (Exodus 28:19)

Family: Eleventh son of Jacob, born to Rachel (Genesis 30:22-24); Joseph's sons are Manasseh and Ephraim (Genesis 41:51,52; 46:20).

Size: First Census: 32,300. Second Census: 52,700. Population greatly increased.

Location: The descendants of Joseph's two sons became recognized as two tribes and were given territory when they entered the Promised Land.

  • Manasseh: Two large portions of land east and west of the Jordan River. The eastern section (Golan Heights and part of Syria today) was outside the Promised Land. Those in the eastern section are referred to in the Bible as the half-tribe of Manasseh.

  • Ephraim: Small portion of land (part of the West Bank today). Included Bethel where Abraham built an altar ((Genesis 12:8) and where God confirmed the Abrahamic covenant with Jacob ((Genesis 28).

Jacob's Blessing: "Joseph is a fruitful vine" (Genesis 49:22). Jacob blessed Joseph's sons saying that Ephraim would be greater than Manasseh the firstborn (Genesis 48).

Moses' Blessing: "Blessed of the Lord is his land... with the precious things of the earth and its fullness (Deuteronomy 33:13-17).

Summary

Joseph (Zaphnath-Paaneah) was the favorite son of Jacob. Jacob gave him a special coat. Joseph had two dreams that suggested his family would bow down to him. Jealous of Joseph and angry about his dreams, his brother sold him as a slave to some traders on their way to Egypt.


In Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an officer who was captain of the guard. The Lord gave Joseph success, and he was put in charge of the household. Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph. When Joseph resisted her, she falsely accused him, and he was imprisoned. While in prison, Joseph worked hard, took on more responsibility, and maintained faithful to God. The LORD gave Joseph the ability to interpret dreams.


Joseph interpreted two dreams for Pharaoh predicting seven years of plenty and then seven years of famine. Pleased with Joseph, Pharaoh made him second in command in Egypt.


During the famine, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy food. After testing their loyalty, Joseph revealed who he was, forgave his brothers, and had his entire family – known as the Israelites – move to Egypt. (Genesis 37:1-28; 39:1-4633)


Notable: Though Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, God raised Joseph to a place of prominence in Egypt. Joseph stored up grain for a coming famine. When his brothers traveled to Egypt to purchase grain during the famine, Joseph was reconciled to them. He said, "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). Jeroboam (who led the secession of northern tribes), Joshua, Deborah and Samuel were from the tribe of Ephraim (Judges 4; 1 Samuel 1; 1 Kings 12; 1 Chronicles 7).


Character

  • Spoiled and arrogant as a young man (Genesis 37:2-14)

  • Humble and mature (Genesis 39:40)

  • Wise and discerning (Genesis 50:19-21; Acts 7:9, 10)

  • Faithful (Hebrews 11:22)


Symbolism

  • Joseph was betrayed, imprisoned, suffered, and sat at the right hand of the Pharaoh. Joseph suffered to save his people. (Genesis 37-50)

  • Jesus was betrayed, suffered, was crucified, died, rose, and now sits at God’s right hand. Jesus died to save the world from sin. (Hebrews 12:2, 3)


Challenges

  • Dealing with the favoritism of his father, Jacob. (Genesis 37:2-14)

  • Being sold into slavery by his brothers. (Genesis 37:18-36)

  • Being pursued by the wife of his master, Potiphar, and imprisoned. (Genesis 39:1-18)

  • Suffering unjustly in prison. (Genesis 39:19-40:23)

  • Handling the responsibility of leading a nation through a terrible famine. (Genesis 47:13-26)


Lessons

  • Being God’s servant might mean having to stay strong through adversity and false accusation, as well as resisting sexual temptation, greed, and vengeance, (Genesis 37:18-36; 39-45)

  • Repay evil with good and forgive those who wrong you. (Genesis 45:4-15)

  • God can take what was intended for evil and use it for good. (Genesis 50:20)




More Topics >
bottom of page