Topical Bible: Joseph: Son of Jacob

◄ Joseph: Son of Jacob ►

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Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob and the firstborn of Rachel, is a central figure in the Book of Genesis. His life account, marked by trials and triumphs, is a testament to God's providence and faithfulness. Joseph's narrative spans Genesis 37-50, where he emerges as a key figure in the history of Israel and a type of Christ in Christian theology.

Early Life and Family Dynamics

Joseph was born in Paddan Aram, the favored son of Jacob's beloved wife, Rachel. His father's favoritism is evident in the "richly ornamented robe" (Genesis 37:3) he received, which incited jealousy and hatred among his brothers. Joseph's dreams, which foretold his future rise to prominence, further fueled their animosity. In one dream, he saw his brothers' sheaves of grain bowing to his sheaf, and in another, the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed to him (Genesis 37:5-9).

Betrayal and Slavery

The brothers' jealousy culminated in a plot to kill Joseph, but Reuben, the eldest, intervened, suggesting they throw him into a cistern instead. Ultimately, Joseph was sold to Midianite traders for twenty shekels of silver and taken to Egypt (Genesis 37:28). The brothers deceived Jacob by dipping Joseph's robe in goat's blood, leading their father to believe a wild animal had devoured him (Genesis 37:31-33).

Life in Egypt

In Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. The Lord was with Joseph, and he prospered, gaining favor in Potiphar's eyes and becoming overseer of his household (Genesis 39:2-4). However, Potiphar's wife falsely accused Joseph of attempted assault, resulting in his imprisonment (Genesis 39:20).

Even in prison, God's favor remained with Joseph. He interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker, accurately predicting their fates (Genesis 40:5-22). Two years later, Pharaoh himself had troubling dreams, which none could interpret. The cupbearer remembered Joseph, who was summoned to interpret Pharaoh's dreams of seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine (Genesis 41:14-30).

Rise to Power

Impressed by Joseph's wisdom, Pharaoh appointed him as second-in-command over Egypt, tasking him with preparing for the impending famine (Genesis 41:39-41). Joseph's administration during the years of plenty ensured that Egypt had enough grain during the famine, which affected the entire region.

Reunion and Reconciliation

The famine forced Joseph's brothers to seek grain in Egypt, unknowingly fulfilling Joseph's earlier dreams. Joseph recognized them, but they did not recognize him. After testing their character, Joseph revealed his identity, expressing forgiveness and understanding that God had sent him ahead to preserve life (Genesis 45:4-8).

Joseph invited his family to settle in Goshen, where they thrived under his protection. Jacob, overjoyed to see his son alive, blessed Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, adopting them as his own (Genesis 48:5).

Legacy

Joseph lived to the age of 110, witnessing the growth of his family in Egypt. Before his death, he made the Israelites swear to carry his bones back to Canaan, a promise fulfilled during the Exodus (Genesis 50:24-25; Exodus 13:19).

Joseph's life exemplifies faithfulness, forgiveness, and God's sovereign plan. His account is a powerful reminder of how God can use adversity to fulfill His purposes, foreshadowing the redemptive work of Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 30:24
And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.
Nave's Topical Index

Greek

2384. Iakob -- Jacob, the son of Isaac, also the father of Joseph ...
... Jacob, the son of Isaac, also the father of Joseph, Mary's husband. Part of Speech:
Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Iakob Phonetic Spelling: (ee-ak ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2384.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

3130. Yoseph -- "he increases," a son of Jacob, also the name of ...
... Word Origin from yasaph Definition "he increases," a son of Jacob, also the name
of several Isr. NASB Word Usage Joseph (194), Joseph's (19). Joseph. ...
/hebrew/3130.htm - 6k

3084. Yehoseph -- Joseph
... Word Origin the same as Yoseph, qv. Joseph A fuller form of Yowceph; Jehoseph (ie
Joseph), a son of Jacob -- Joseph. see HEBREW Yowceph. 3083, 3084. ...
/hebrew/3084.htm - 5k

4519. Menashsheh -- "causing to forget," a son of Joseph, also a ...
... Word Origin from nashah Definition "causing to forget," a son of Joseph, also a ... From
nashah; causing to forget; Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the ...
/hebrew/4519.htm - 6k

Library

About this Same Time, Judah, the Son of Jacob...
... About this same time, Judah, the son of Jacob, took in ... But Joseph, being kindly treated
by the royal governor who had obtained him for a sum of money, and ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xi about this same.htm

Of the Times of Jacob and his Son Joseph.
... Book XVIII. Chapter 4."Of the Times of Jacob and His Son Joseph. In the
reign of Bal??us, the ninth king of Assyria, and Mesappus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 4 of the times of.htm

How it is Said that Jacob Went into Egypt with Seventy-Five Souls ...
... For Jacob was then 130 years old, and his son Joseph thirty-nine and as it is plain
that he took a wife when he was thirty or more, how could he in nine years ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 40 how it is said.htm

How Joseph, the Youngest of Jacob's Sons, was Envied by his ...
... The occasion was this:"When Jacob had his son Joseph born to him by Rachel, his
father loved him above the rest of his sons, both because of the beauty of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how joseph the.htm

Writing iii. But in Order that what I have Said May be Made ...
... [1045] Whence also it is written, "And Jacob begat Joseph." But according to law
he was the son of Heli, for Jacob his brother raised up seed to him. ...
/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/writing iii but in order.htm

Joseph and his Brethren.
... in blood, and brought it to Jacob, saying: "This have we found: know now if it be
thy son's coat or no." Jacob knew the coat; and thought Joseph had been ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/joseph and his brethren.htm

Elucidations.
... 2. That Joseph was the son of Jacob or of Heli, either by adoption, or because Jacob
and Heli were either own brothers or half-brothers; so that,". ...
/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/elucidations.htm

Matthew's Genealogy of Jesus Christ
... read instead: 'Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus.'
So, then, whoever drew up this genealogy knew that Jesus was not Joseph's son. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/matthews genealogy of jesus christ.htm

The Testament of Joseph Concerning Sobriety.
... together, and said to them: My children and brethren, hearken to Joseph the beloved ...
not my family to the Ishmaelites, that I was the son of Jacob, a great ...
/.../xi the testament of joseph concerning.htm

C. The Genealogy of Jesus. Ch. 3:23-38
... of Levi, 30 the son of Symeon, the son of Judas, the son of Joseph, the son ... son of
Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the genealogy of jesus.htm