Joseph (OT)

Definition

Joseph was Jacob’s eleventh son. He was Rachel’s first son. The descendants of his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh became two of the tribes of Israel.

• The Hebrew name Joseph is similar to both the Hebrew word meaning “to add, increase” and the Hebrew word meaning “to gather, take away.”
• A large portion of the book of Genesis is dedicated to the story of Joseph, how he remained faithful to God throughout his many difficulties and forgave his brothers who had sold him to be a slave in Egypt.
• Eventually God raised Joseph to the second highest place of power in Egypt and used him to save the people of Egypt and the surrounding nations in a time when there was little food. Joseph helped save his own family from starving and brought them to live with him in Egypt.

(Translation suggestions: How to Translate Names)

(See also: twelve tribes of Israel, Ephraim, Manasseh, Jacob, Rachel)

Bible References

• Genesis 30:22-24
• Genesis 33:1-3
• Genesis 37:1-2
• Genesis 37:23-24
• Genesis 41:55-57
• John 4:4-5

Examples from the Bible stories

• __8:2 Joseph’s__ brothers hated him because their father loved him most and because Joseph had dreamed that he would be their ruler.
• __8:4 The slave traders took Joseph__ to Egypt.
• __8:5 Even in prison, Joseph__ remained faithful to God, and God blessed him.
• __8:7 God had given Joseph__ the ability to interpret dreams, so Pharaoh had Joseph brought to him from the prison.
• __8:9 Joseph__ told the people to store up large amounts of food during the seven years of good harvests.
• __9:2 The Egyptians no longer remembered Joseph__ and all he had done to help them.

Word Data

• Strong’s: H3084, H3130, G25000, G25010