Genesis 37–50
Joseph in Egypt
His father’s favourite, sold by his brothers, a slave, a prisoner, and then the second man in Egypt. A story about jealousy and forgiveness, and about a God who brings good out of evil.
From favourite to prisoner
The first part only goes down: a pit, a slave market, a cell. But again and again we read: the LORD was with Joseph.
Step 1 of 5: A special robe
A special robe
Jacob loves Joseph more than his other sons, because he is the son of his old age, Rachel’s son. He gives him a beautiful robe. The brothers see it and can no longer speak a kind word to him.
Joseph’s father gave him a beautiful coat. His brothers became jealous.
Views differ here: The Hebrew word is rare: ‘many-coloured’, as old translations read, or ‘with long sleeves’, a robe for someone who does not have to work. Either way: a sign that Joseph was his father’s favourite.
Six dreams
Dreams set the story in motion. Joseph dreams two of them and explains four. Turn the cards over.
Sheaves that bow
The brothers’ sheaves bow down to Joseph’s. Twenty years later, in Egypt, the brothers really do bow down to him.
Sun, moon and eleven stars
Father and mother will bow down to him too, Jacob understands. He rebukes Joseph, but keeps it in mind.
A vine with three branches
In three days the cupbearer will get his place back and pour Pharaoh’s cup again. And so it happens.
Three baskets of bread
Birds eat from the top basket. In three days the baker will die. That comes true as well.
Seven fat cows, seven thin cows
Seven years of plenty, and after them seven years of famine, so severe that no one will remember the good years.
Seven full ears, seven withered ears
The same thing once more: God shows it twice because it is settled and will happen soon.
From prisoner to viceroy
In a single day from the cell to the palace. And then his brothers stand before him, without recognising him.
Step 1 of 6: Pharaoh’s dreams
Pharaoh’s dreams
Pharaoh dreams of seven fat cows that are eaten up by seven thin ones, and of seven full ears of grain and seven shrivelled ones. No one can explain it, until the cupbearer remembers Joseph. Not I, says Joseph, but God will give Pharaoh an answer: seven years of plenty are coming, and after them seven years of famine.
The king dreamed about cows and grain. Joseph explained it: first seven good years, then seven years of hunger.
Joseph’s road
From the valley of Hebron to a pit near Dothan, and with a caravan to Egypt. Later the whole family follows him.
His father sends him off
In the valley of Hebron Jacob sends Joseph to his brothers: go and see whether all is well with them.
Father Jacob said: go and see how your brothers are doing.
Joseph and Jesus
Since the first centuries Christians have read the life of Joseph alongside the life of Jesus. Can you see the lines?
His father’s beloved son
Genesis 37:3‘This is my Son, whom I love’
Matthew 3:17Rejected by his brothers
Genesis 37:4He came to his own, and his own did not receive him
John 1:11Sold for twenty pieces of silver
Genesis 37:28Betrayed for thirty pieces of silver
Matthew 26:15Tempted, but stayed faithful
Genesis 39:9Tempted in every way, yet without sin
Hebrews 4:15Condemned though innocent, alongside two prisoners
Genesis 40:2–3Crucified between two criminals
Luke 23:32–33Raised from the depths to a place beside the throne
Genesis 41:41–43Risen and seated at God’s right hand
Acts 2:32–33Gives bread to a hungry world
Genesis 41:57‘I am the bread of life’
John 6:35Forgives those who wronged him
Genesis 50:19–21‘Father, forgive them’
Luke 23:34
The New Testament does not draw these lines literally: it is a way of reading from the tradition of the church.
Do you remember?
Six questions about Joseph.
6 questions about the story. Each answer shows where you can read it.
Questions people ask
Honest, also where Christians think differently.
When did Joseph live, and is there any trace of him in Egypt?
Genesis noemt geen farao bij naam. Velen plaatsen Jozef in de tijd van de Hyksos, Semitische heersers in de Nijldelta (17e eeuw voor Christus); anderen eerder of later. Een direct spoor van Jozef is niet gevonden. Wel passen veel details bij Egypte: titels aan het hof, de zegelring, het balsemen, de leeftijd van 110 jaar als ideaal.
Wasn’t Joseph just big-headed?
Hij vertelt zijn dromen zonder veel gevoel voor zijn broers, en Jakob berispt hem. Het verhaal laat zien hoe Jozef verandert: van vaders verwende lieveling tot iemand die zijn broers met tranen vergeeft.
Why did Joseph put his brothers to the test like that?
De tekst zegt het niet uitdrukkelijk. Het lijkt erop dat hij wil weten of ze veranderd zijn: zouden ze Benjamin, de andere zoon van Rachel, net zo laten vallen als hem? Juda’s aanbod geeft het antwoord.
What is the story of Judah and Tamar doing in the middle of Joseph’s story?
Genesis 38 onderbreekt het verhaal en laat zien hoe ook Juda verandert. Uit Juda en Tamar komt Perez, voorvader van David en van Jezus (Matteüs 1:3).
Is Joseph a ‘picture’ of Jesus?
Het Nieuwe Testament zegt dat niet letterlijk; Stefanus vertelt Jozefs verhaal wel als deel van Gods weg met Israël (Handelingen 7:9–14). Al sinds de kerkvaders zien veel christenen in Jozef een voorafschaduwing van Christus. Dat is een manier van lezen, geen bewering van de tekst zelf.
Exodus 1
A new Pharaoh
Joseph makes his brothers promise to carry his bones with them when God brings them out of Egypt. Centuries later Moses takes them along, and they are buried in Shechem.
Generations later a king comes to power who did not know Joseph. The people grow great, and become slaves. Then the story of Moses begins.
On to Moses and the exodus