Topical Bible: Joseph: Son of Jacob: Sold As a Slave Into Egypt

◄ Joseph: Son of Jacob: Sold As a Slave Into Egypt ►

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Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob and the firstborn of Rachel, is a central figure in the Genesis narrative, known for his journey from favored son to a powerful leader in Egypt. His account is primarily found in Genesis chapters 37-50.

Background and Family Dynamics

Joseph was born to Jacob in his old age, and he was deeply loved by his father, who favored him over his brothers. This favoritism was symbolized by the "richly ornamented robe" (Genesis 37:3) that Jacob gave to Joseph, which incited jealousy and hatred among his brothers. Joseph's dreams, which foretold his future rise to prominence and his family's subservience to him, further fueled their animosity (Genesis 37:5-11).

Betrayal and Sale into Slavery

The tension reached a climax when Joseph's brothers plotted against him. Initially, they conspired to kill him, but Reuben, the eldest, intervened, suggesting they throw him into a cistern instead, intending to rescue him later (Genesis 37:21-22). However, while Reuben was absent, the brothers decided to sell Joseph to a caravan of Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver (Genesis 37:28). The Ishmaelites took Joseph to Egypt, where he was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard (Genesis 37:36).

Life in Egypt

In Egypt, Joseph's life took a dramatic turn. Despite being a slave, he found favor in Potiphar's eyes due to the LORD's presence with him, which made him successful in all he did (Genesis 39:2-4). Joseph was entrusted with the management of Potiphar's household, but his integrity was soon tested. Potiphar's wife attempted to seduce him, but Joseph refused, saying, "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9). Her false accusations led to Joseph's imprisonment.

Divine Favor and Rise to Power

Even in prison, the LORD was with Joseph, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden, who put him in charge of all the prisoners (Genesis 39:21-23). Joseph's ability to interpret dreams, a gift from God, eventually brought him to Pharaoh's attention. He accurately interpreted Pharaoh's dreams, predicting seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine (Genesis 41:25-30). Impressed by Joseph's wisdom, Pharaoh appointed him as second-in-command over Egypt, entrusting him with the task of preparing for the impending famine (Genesis 41:39-41).

Reunion and Reconciliation

The famine affected not only Egypt but also Canaan, where Joseph's family resided. This led his brothers to Egypt in search of grain, unknowingly fulfilling Joseph's earlier dreams. After a series of tests, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, expressing forgiveness and recognizing God's providential hand in his journey: "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).

Joseph's account is a profound testament to God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and redemptive power, illustrating how He can transform human evil into a greater good.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 37:27,28
Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be on him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brothers were content.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Joseph and his Brethren.
... 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

Joseph Sold as a Slave by his Brothers
... this; see whether it is your son's coat or not." He recognized it and said, "It
is my son's coat! ... Joseph surely is torn in pieces." Then Jacob tore his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/joseph sold as a slave.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

The Story of Benjamin.
... Jacob did not believe them, and this made him all ... Benjamin answered with a low bow;
and Joseph said, "May God be gracious to thee, my son!" Then Benjamin ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the story of benjamin.htm

The Story of Joseph and his Coat of Many Colors
... And Jacob's heart was broken over the loss of Joseph ... So the old man sorrowed for
his son Joseph; and all the time his wicked brothers knew that Joseph was not ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of joseph and.htm

The Mystery of the Lost Brother
... And Jacob said, "If he must go, then he must. ... God be gracious unto you, my son.". ...
Then Joseph said again: "I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the mystery of the lost.htm

The Story of Joseph
... blood-stained and torn, was brought and held up before Jacob's eyes ... "It is my son's
coat!" he ... It might perhaps have seemed better just then for Joseph if he had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/joseph the dreamer/the story of joseph.htm

Joseph --The Savior of his People.
... "It is enough: Joseph my son is yet ... At Beersheba Jacob stopped and worshiped God,
where his father had built an altar years before; and God told him in the ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter viii josephthe savior of.htm

Joseph Attacked by the Archers
... a joyful mother, and she called her son "Increase." Oh ... by the mighty power of the
God of Jacob;" and fourthly ... often did they jeer at the youthful Joseph, when he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/joseph attacked by the archers.htm

Joseph
... utterly, and sends for his poor old father Jacob down into ... to do thy will, O God.'
Of the Son of God ... call us his brethren; but like a greater Joseph, was sent ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon vii joseph.htm