Bible Characters
Who Was Joseph in the Bible? Son of Jacob, Slave, and Ruler in Egypt
Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob and the first son of Rachel. His brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt, but God raised him from prison to become second in command to Pharaoh (Genesis 37:28; 41:39-43). As governor he stored grain before a seven-year famine and later brought his whole family to Egypt, keeping them alive (Genesis 41:47-57; 46:1-7). His story fills most of Genesis 37-50.
Several other men in the Bible are named Joseph, including Mary's husband and Joseph of Arimathea. They are covered briefly near the end of this post.
Joseph Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name meaning | "May he add" (Genesis 30:24) |
| Egyptian name | Zaphenath-Paneah (Genesis 41:45) |
| Testament | Old Testament |
| Key books | Genesis 30 and 37-50; also Exodus 13:19, Joshua 24:32, Hebrews 11:22 |
| Time period | Patriarchal period, roughly 1900-1800 BC (traditional dating) |
| Family | Son of Jacob and Rachel; brother of Benjamin; father of Manasseh and Ephraim |
| Known for | The coat, his dreams, rising to rule Egypt, and forgiving his brothers |
Jacob's Favored Son
Joseph was born to Rachel after years in which she had no children (Genesis 30:22-24). Jacob loved him more than his other sons because Joseph had been born to him in his old age, and he made Joseph an ornate robe (Genesis 37:3). For more on his father, see who was Jacob in the Bible.
At seventeen Joseph was tending flocks with his brothers and brought his father a bad report about them (Genesis 37:2). His brothers hated him and could not speak a kind word to him (Genesis 37:4).
Joseph's Dreams
Joseph had two dreams and told them to his family. In the first, his brothers' sheaves of grain bowed down to his sheaf. In the second, the sun, moon and eleven stars bowed down to him (Genesis 37:5-9). His brothers hated him more, and his father rebuked him but kept the matter in mind (Genesis 37:8, 37:10-11).
Sold Into Slavery
Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers, who were grazing flocks near Shechem. He found them at Dothan (Genesis 37:12-17). When they saw him coming, they plotted to kill him (Genesis 37:18-20).
Reuben persuaded them to throw Joseph into a dry cistern instead, intending to rescue him later (Genesis 37:21-24). While Reuben was away, Judah suggested selling Joseph to a caravan of Ishmaelites, and the brothers sold him for twenty shekels of silver (Genesis 37:26-28). They dipped his robe in goat's blood, and Jacob concluded a wild animal had killed him (Genesis 37:31-34).
Joseph in Potiphar's House
In Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard (Genesis 37:36; 39:1). The Lord was with Joseph and gave him success, and Potiphar put him in charge of his whole household (Genesis 39:2-6).
Potiphar's wife repeatedly tried to seduce Joseph. He refused, saying he would not sin against God (Genesis 39:7-10). One day she grabbed his cloak, and he ran out of the house leaving it in her hand. She accused him of attacking her, and Potiphar had Joseph put in prison (Genesis 39:11-20).
Interpreter of Dreams
The Lord was with Joseph in prison too, and the warden put him in charge of the other prisoners (Genesis 39:21-23). Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker were later imprisoned there, and each had a dream. Joseph told them that interpretations belong to God (Genesis 40:8). He said the cupbearer would be restored in three days and the baker would be executed, and both happened (Genesis 40:12-22). The cupbearer then forgot Joseph (Genesis 40:23).
Pharaoh's Dreams
Two years later Pharaoh dreamed of seven thin cows eating seven fat cows, and seven thin heads of grain swallowing seven full heads (Genesis 41:1-7). None of Egypt's magicians could interpret the dreams, and the cupbearer remembered Joseph (Genesis 41:8-13).
Joseph told Pharaoh that God would give the answer (Genesis 41:16). The dreams meant seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine. Joseph advised appointing a wise man to store a fifth of the harvest during the good years (Genesis 41:25-36).
Ruler Over Egypt
Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of the whole land of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself (Genesis 41:39-41). He gave Joseph his signet ring, fine linen, a gold chain and a new name, Zaphenath-Paneah. He also gave him Asenath, daughter of Potiphera priest of On, as his wife (Genesis 41:42-45). Joseph was thirty years old (Genesis 41:46).
During the seven good years Joseph stored grain in the cities until it could not be measured (Genesis 41:48-49). His sons Manasseh and Ephraim were born in this time (Genesis 41:50-52). When the famine came, people from every country came to Egypt to buy grain (Genesis 41:57).
Joseph and His Brothers
Jacob sent ten of his sons to Egypt for grain, keeping Benjamin at home (Genesis 42:1-4). The brothers bowed before Joseph without recognizing him (Genesis 42:6-8). Joseph accused them of being spies, kept Simeon, and required them to bring Benjamin on the next trip (Genesis 42:9-20, 42:24).
When they returned with Benjamin, Joseph tested them further by having his silver cup hidden in Benjamin's sack (Genesis 44:1-2, 44:12). Judah offered himself as a slave in Benjamin's place so that their father would not die of grief (Genesis 44:18-34).
Joseph Reveals Himself
Joseph could no longer control himself. He sent out his attendants, wept aloud, and told his brothers who he was (Genesis 45:1-3). He told them not to be distressed, because God had sent him ahead of them to preserve life (Genesis 45:5-8).
Pharaoh invited Joseph's family to settle in Egypt. Jacob came with his household, seventy in all, and settled in Goshen (Genesis 45:16-20; 46:26-27; 47:1-6).
Joseph's Final Years
Before he died, Jacob blessed Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh, giving the greater blessing to the younger, Ephraim (Genesis 48:13-20). After Jacob's death, the brothers feared Joseph would pay them back. Joseph wept and answered them:
"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, NIV)
Joseph died at 110 years old. He made the Israelites promise to carry his bones out of Egypt when God brought them back to the promised land (Genesis 50:22-26). Moses took the bones during the exodus, and they were buried at Shechem (Exodus 13:19; Joshua 24:32). Hebrews 11:22 cites these instructions as an act of faith.
Lessons From Joseph's Life
- God works through hard circumstances. Joseph said God used his brothers' evil act to save many lives (Genesis 50:20).
- Integrity matters when no one is watching. Joseph refused Potiphar's wife because the act would be sin against God (Genesis 39:9).
- Faithfulness in small roles. Joseph served well as a slave and a prisoner before he was given authority (Genesis 39:2-4, 39:22).
- Forgiveness is possible. Joseph provided for the brothers who sold him (Genesis 45:10-11; 50:21).
Other Josephs in the Bible
- Joseph, husband of Mary: A descendant of David and the legal father of Jesus (Matthew 1:16-25).
- Joseph of Arimathea: A council member and disciple who buried Jesus in his own tomb (Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:43).
- Joseph called Barnabas: A Levite from Cyprus whom the apostles named Barnabas (Acts 4:36). See who was Barnabas in the Bible.
- Joseph called Barsabbas: One of two candidates to replace Judas (Acts 1:23).
Where Joseph Appears in the Bible
- Genesis 30:22-24: Birth
- Genesis 37: Dreams and sale into slavery
- Genesis 39-41: Potiphar, prison, and rise to power
- Genesis 42-47: Reunion with his family
- Genesis 48-50: Jacob's blessings and Joseph's death
- Psalm 105:16-22: His story is recalled
- Acts 7:9-16: Stephen summarizes his life
- Hebrews 11:21-22: Listed among people of faith
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Joseph in the Bible?
Joseph was the son of Jacob and Rachel who was sold into slavery by his brothers and later became ruler over Egypt under Pharaoh (Genesis 37:28; 41:41). He stored grain before a famine and saved his family (Genesis 45:5-7).
Why did Joseph's brothers hate him?
They hated him because Jacob loved him more and gave him an ornate robe, and because Joseph told them dreams in which they bowed down to him (Genesis 37:3-8).
How old was Joseph when he became ruler of Egypt?
Joseph was thirty years old when he entered Pharaoh's service (Genesis 41:46). He had been sold into slavery at about seventeen (Genesis 37:2).
How old was Joseph when he died?
Joseph died at 110 years old in Egypt (Genesis 50:26). His bones were later carried out during the exodus and buried at Shechem (Exodus 13:19; Joshua 24:32).
Is Joseph son of Jacob the same as Joseph the father of Jesus?
No. Joseph son of Jacob lived in the patriarchal period in Genesis, while Joseph the husband of Mary lived in the first century and was the legal father of Jesus (Matthew 1:16).