Patriarch · OT
Joseph (son of Jacob)
Jacob's favored son, sold into Egyptian slavery, who rose to become Pharaoh's prime minister and saved his family from famine.
Joseph, the eleventh of Jacob's twelve sons, was the firstborn of Rachel and his father's clear favorite. His brothers, resenting both the favoritism and his dreams of future preeminence, sold him to passing Ishmaelite traders who carried him to Egypt (Genesis 37).
In Egypt Joseph served in Potiphar's house, was falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, and spent years in prison before God's gifting in dream-interpretation brought him before Pharaoh. Promoted to second over Egypt at age thirty, he administered grain reserves through seven years of plenty and seven of famine, ultimately saving his own family — including the brothers who had betrayed him — and settling them in Goshen.
His summary verdict on his suffering — 'you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good' (Genesis 50:20) — is one of the Bible's most quoted statements on providence.
Key moments
Sold by his brothers
Carried to Egypt by Ishmaelite traders (Genesis 37).
Falsely accused, imprisoned
Resists Potiphar's wife and is jailed unjustly (Genesis 39).
Interprets Pharaoh's dreams
Promoted to second over Egypt at age thirty (Genesis 41).
Reconciles with his brothers
Forgives them and provides for the whole family in Goshen (Genesis 45, 50).
Key verses
"And there passed by Midianites, merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they brought Joseph into Egypt."
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"he is not greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"
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"And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou: thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou."
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"And now be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life."
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"And as for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."
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Frequently asked
How old was Joseph when he was sold?
Genesis 37:2 puts him at seventeen when his brothers sold him, and Genesis 41:46 records that he was thirty when he stood before Pharaoh — thirteen years of slavery and prison.
Is Joseph a type of Christ?
Many Christian readers see typological parallels: rejected by his brothers, falsely accused, exalted from suffering to a position of saving authority, and ultimately the means of his people's deliverance — patterns fulfilled in Jesus.
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