Bible characters

Era: Son of Jacob, in the time of the patriarchs (Genesis 30:22-24; 37:2)

Joseph

Sold by his brothers, placed by God to save lives

Joseph was the son of Jacob and Rachel, his father's favourite. His dreams and the coat of many colours Jacob gave him stirred up his brothers' envy, and they sold him as a slave. In Egypt he went from servant to prisoner, yet the Bible keeps saying that the LORD was with him.

God gave him the meaning of Pharaoh's dreams, and Joseph came to rule Egypt through seven years of plenty and seven of famine. When his brothers came to buy food, he forgave them and saved his whole family. His story fills the last chapters of Genesis.

Old TestamentLeadersPatriarchs and matriarchs

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Reviewed by Jon J ·

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