Dictionaries :: Joseph

Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia

Joseph:

Jacob's Age at His Birth. Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh (Genesis 41:46). The seven plenteous years and two years of the famine had passed when Jacob went into Egypt (Genesis 41:46, 53-54; 45:4-6; (30+7+2=39). Jacob was one hundred thirty years old when he entered Egypt (Genesis 47:1-9). (130 - 39 = 91) Jacob was, therefore, ninety-one years old at the birth of Joseph. Early Life. Joseph was the son of Rachel, born to Jacob in his old age (Genesis 30:1-24), and was therefore the favorite (Genesis 37:3). Joseph had two remarkable dreams, resulting in the estrangement of his brothers and the suspicion of his father (Genesis 37:5-11). His brothers sold him into slavery, and deceived their father by dipping the coat of many colors into the blood of a goat, assuring him that they had found it (Genesis 37:15-35). Important fact - Lessons from Jacob's Mourning. Jacob mourned for Joseph, believing that he was dead (Genesis 37:31-35). We may learn from this, to be careful about acting on the testimony of prejudiced witnesses, and that a lie conscientiously believed and acted upon will produce substantially the same effects as the truth. Early Life in Egypt. Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. (Genesis 39:1; Acts 7:9). On a false charge he was thrown into prison. In prison he enjoyed the confidence of the keeper, and interpreted the dreams of the butler and baker (Genesis 39:21-23; Genesis 40:1-23). Pharaoh's Dreams. The king had two dreams: He stood by the river and saw seven well-favored and fat-fleshed kine come up out of the river and feed in a meadow, and seven other kine that were ill-favored and lean-fleshed followed and devoured them. He beheld seven ears of corn upon one stalk, rank and good, and they were followed by seven thin and blasted ears by which they were devoured (Genesis 41:1-7). Joseph's Interpretation. The wise men failed to give the king's mind any relief, and Pharaoh, on the suggestion of the chief butler, called for Joseph, who declared that the dreams were one, and predicted that there would immediately follow seven years of plenty, succeeded by seven years of famine (Genesis 41:8-32). His Elevation. Pharaoh immediately clothed Joseph in royal vestures, made him ride in the second chariot, and required the people to prostrate themselves before him (Genesis 41:33-45). His Marriage. Pharaoh gave him the name Zaphnath-paaneah (preserver of the age, or revealer of secrets), and also gave him Asenath, the daughter of Poti-pherah, priest of On, to wife. By this union were two sons (Genesis 41:44-52). Preparation for the Famine. Joseph immediately began to make preparations for the famine. He gathered corn "as the sands of the sea" and stored it in the cities (Genesis 41:47-52). Famine in Egypt. The famine began as Joseph had predicted and covered the entire land of Egypt (Genesis 41:53-57). Famine in Canaan. The famine extended to Canaan (Genesis 42:1-2; Acts 7:11). Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy corn. Joseph recognized them, but they did not know him. He supplied their wants, and they returned to their home (Genesis 42:3-38). On their return to Egypt, Joseph made himself known to them and sent for his father to come to Egypt (Genesis 43:1-34; Genesis 44:1-34; Genesis 45:1-24; Acts 7:12, 14). Jacob received the news of Joseph's glory with incredulity (Genesis 45:25-28). Important fact-Lessons from Joseph's Brothers. We may learn from this, to investigate thoroughly before coming to a conclusion, and that after a man is once settled in error, it takes a tremendous influence to deliver him from it. Jacob's Descent into Egypt. Jacob at once departed for Egypt accompanied by his entire family; they also took their possessions (Genesis 46:1-26). Harmony of Genesis 46:26; Deuteronomy 10:22; Acts 7:14. The first passage counts the direct descendants (sixty-six) of Jacob who went with him into Egypt (Genesis 46:26). The second counts the sixty-six, Jacob, Joseph, and his two sons (Deuteronomy 10:22). The third counts the seventy, and five of Joseph's "kindred" whose names are not given. Jacob's Introduction to Pharaoh. Joseph introduced his father to Pharaoh, who received him with respect. Jacob in return blessed Pharaoh twice, and departed from his presence (Genesis 47:7-10). Settled in Goshen. Jacob and his family were given permission to dwell in Goshen where they enjoyed peace, plenty, and general prosperity (Genesis 47:1-27). Date. It was twenty-five years from the death of Terah to the birth of Isaac (Genesis 11:32; Genesis 12:1-5; Genesis 21:5; Acts 7:1-4). It was sixty years from the birth of Isaac to the birth of Jacob (Genesis 25:26). It was one hundred thirty years from the birth of Jacob to his introduction to Pharaoh. (25 + 60 + 130 = 215) (Genesis 47:7-10). The settling of the Hebrews in Egypt was therefore two hundred fifteen years after the death of Terah or Abram's entrance into Canaan. Last Days of Jacob. The closing of Jacob's life was distinguished by obtaining a promise from Joseph to bury him with his Fathers (Genesis 47:26-31); reminding Joseph of the promises of God (Genesis 48:1-4); adopting Joseph's two sons (Genesis 48:5-6); placing Ephraim before Manasseh (Genesis 48:8-20); predicting the restoration of his family to Canaan (Genesis 48:21); giving Joseph an extra portion of his estate (Genesis 48:21-22); prophesying of the coming Shiloh (Genesis 48:8-12; Hebrews 7:14; Revelation 5:1-5); blessing all his sons (Genesis 49:1-28). Death and Burial of Jacob. Jacob died in Egypt, was embalmed by Joseph's orders, carried to Canaan, and buried with great honors and great lamentation (Genesis 50:1-13; Acts 7:15-16). Last Days of Joseph. Joseph's last days were distinguished by forgiving his brothers; enjoying the pleasures of family relation; predicting the restoration of his brethren to the land of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and taking a pledge of his brethren to carry his bones with them on their departure (Genesis 50:15-26).

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Joseph:

remover or increaser. (1.) The elder of the two sons of Jacob by Rachel (Gen 30:23,24), who, on the occasion of his birth, said, "God hath taken away [Heb. 'asaph] my reproach." "The Lord shall add [Heb. yoseph] to me another son" (Gen 30:24). He was a child of probably six years of age when his father returned from Haran to Canaan and took up his residence in the old patriarchal town of Hebron. "Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age," and he "made him a long garment with sleeves" (Gen 37:3, R.V. marg.), i.e., a garment long and full, such as was worn by the children of nobles. This seems to be the correct rendering of the words. The phrase, however, may also be rendered, "a coat of many pieces", i.e., a patchwork of many small pieces of divers colours.

When he was about seventeen years old Joseph incurred the jealous hatred of his brothers (Gen 37:4). They "hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him." Their anger was increased when he told them his dreams (37:11).

Jacob desiring to hear tidings of his sons, who had gone to Shechem with their flocks, some 60 miles from Hebron, sent Joseph as his messenger to make inquiry regarding them. Joseph found that they had left Shechem for Dothan, whither he followed them. As soon as they saw him coming they began to plot against him, and would have killed him had not Reuben interposed. They ultimately sold him to a company of Ishmaelite merchants for twenty pieces (shekels) of silver (about $2, 10s.), ten pieces less than the current value of a slave, for "they cared little what they had for him, if so be they were rid of him." These merchants were going down with a varied assortment of merchandise to the Egyptian market, and thither they conveyed him, and ultimately sold him as a slave to Potiphar, an "officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard" (Gen 37:36). "The Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake," and Potiphar made him overseer over his house. At length a false charge having been brought against him by Potiphar's wife, he was at once cast into the state prison (39; 40), where he remained for at least two years. After a while the "chief of the cupbearers" and the "chief of the bakers" of Pharaoh's household were cast into the same prison (40:2). Each of these new prisoners dreamed a dream in the same night, which Joseph interpreted, the event occurring as he had said.

This led to Joseph's being remembered subsequently by the chief butler when Pharaoh also dreamed. At his suggestion Joseph was brought from prison to interpret the king's dreams. Pharaoh was well pleased with Joseph's wisdom in interpreting his dreams, and with his counsel with reference to the events then predicted; and he set him over all the land of Egypt (Gen 41:46), and gave him the name of Zaphnath-paaneah. He was married to Asenath, the daughter of the priest of On, and thus became a member of the priestly class. Joseph was now about thirty years of age.

As Joseph had interpreted, seven years of plenty came, during which he stored up great abundance of corn in granaries built for the purpose. These years were followed by seven years of famine "over all the face of the earth," when "all countries came into Egypt to Joseph to buy corn" (Gen 41:56,57; 47:13,14). Thus "Joseph gathered up all the money that was in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought." Afterwards all the cattle and all the land, and at last the Egyptians themselves, became the property of Pharaoh.

During this period of famine Joseph's brethren also came down to Egypt to buy corn. The history of his dealings with them, and of the manner in which he at length made himself known to them, is one of the most interesting narratives that can be read (Gen. 42-45). Joseph directed his brethren to return and bring Jacob and his family to the land of Egypt, saying, "I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land. Regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land is yours." Accordingly Jacob and his family, to the number of threescore and ten souls, together with "all that they had," went down to Egypt. They were settled in the land of Goshen, where Joseph met his father, and "fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while" (Gen 46:29).

The excavations of Dr. Naville have shown the land of Goshen to be the Wady Tumilat, between Ismailia and Zagazig. In Goshen (Egyptian Qosem) they had pasture for their flocks, were near the Asiatic frontier of Egypt, and were out of the way of the Egyptian people. An inscription speaks of it as a district given up to the wandering shepherds of Asia.

Jacob at length died, and in fulfilment of a promise which he had exacted, Joseph went up to Canaan to bury his father in "the field of Ephron the Hittite" (Gen 47:29-31; 50:1-14). This was the last recorded act of Joseph, who again returned to Egypt.

"The 'Story of the Two Brothers,' an Egyptian romance written for the son of the Pharaoh of the Oppression, contains an episode very similar to the Biblical account of Joseph's treatment by Potiphar's wife. Potiphar and Potipherah are the Egyptian Pa-tu-pa-Ra, 'the gift of the sun-god.' The name given to Joseph, Zaphnath-paaneah, is probably the Egyptian Zaf-nti-pa-ankh, 'nourisher of the living one,' i.e., of the Pharaoh. There are many instances in the inscriptions of foreigners in Egypt receiving Egyptian names, and rising to the highest offices of state."

By his wife Asenath, Joseph had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim (Gen 41:50). Joseph having obtained a promise from his brethren that when the time should come that God would "bring them unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob," they would carry up his bones out of Egypt, at length died, at the age of one hundred and ten years; and "they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin" (Gen 50:26). This promise was faithfully observed. Their descendants, long after, when the Exodus came, carried the body about with them during their forty years' wanderings, and at length buried it in Shechem, in the parcel of ground which Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor (Jos 24:32; Gen 33:19). With the death of Joseph the patriarchal age of the history of Israel came to a close.

The Pharaoh of Joseph's elevation was probably Apepi, or Apopis, the last of the Hyksos kings. Some, however, think that Joseph came to Egypt in the reign of Thothmes III. (See PHARAOH), long after the expulsion of the Hyksos.

The name Joseph denotes the two tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh in Deu 33:13-17; the kingdom of Israel in Eze 37:16, 19, Amo 5:6; and the whole covenant people of Israel in Psa 81:4.

(2.) One of the sons of Asaph, head of the first division of sacred musicians (1Ch 25:2,9).

(3.) The son of Judah, and father of Semei (Luk 3:26). Other two of the same name in the ancestry of Christ are also mentioned (3:24,30).

(4.) The foster-father of our Lord (Mat 1:16; Luk 3:23). He lived at Nazareth in Galilee (Luk 2:4). He is called a "just man." He was by trade a carpenter (Mat 13:55). He is last mentioned in connection with the journey to Jerusalem, when Jesus was twelve years old. It is probable that he died before Jesus entered on his public ministry. This is concluded from the fact that Mary only was present at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee. His name does not appear in connection with the scenes of the crucifixion along with that of Mary (q.v.), Jhn 19:25.

(5.) A native of Arimathea, probably the Ramah of the Old Testament (1Sa 1:19), a man of wealth, and a member of the Sanhedrim (Mat 27:57; Luk 23:50), an "honourable counsellor, who waited for the kingdom of God." As soon as he heard the tidings of Christ's death, he "went in boldly" (lit. "having summoned courage, he went") "unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus." Pilate having ascertained from the centurion that the death had really taken place, granted Joseph's request, who immediately, having purchased fine linen (Mar 15:46), proceeded to Golgotha to take the body down from the cross. There, assisted by Nicodemus, he took down the body and wrapped it in the fine linen, sprinkling it with the myrrh and aloes which Nicodemus had brought (Jhn 19:39), and then conveyed the body to the new tomb hewn by Joseph himself out of a rock in his garden hard by. There they laid it, in the presence of Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Joses, and other women, and rolled a great stone to the entrance, and departed (Luk 23:53,55). This was done in haste, "for the Sabbath was drawing on" (Isa 53:9).

(6.) Surnamed Barsabas (Act 1:23); also called Justus. He was one of those who "companied with the apostles all the time that the Lord Jesus went out and in among them" (Act 1:21), and was one of the candidates for the place of Judas.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Joseph:

increase; addition

Nave's Topical Bible

Joseph: 1. Son of Jacob

Gen 30:24

Personal appearance of,

Gen 39:6.

His father's favorite child,

Gen 33:2; 37:3, 4, 35; 48:22; 1Ch 5:2; Jhn 4:5.

His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren,

Gen 37:4, 11, 18-28; Psa 105:17; Act 7:9.

His prophetic dreams of his fortunes in Egypt,

Gen 37:5-11.

Sold as a slave into Egypt,

Gen 37:27, 28.

Is falsely reported to his father as killed by wild beasts,

Gen 37:29-35.

Is bought by Potiphar, an officer (LXX has "eunuch") of Pharaoh,

Gen 37:36.

Is prospered of God,

Gen 39:2-5, 21, 23.

Is falsely accused, and thrown into prison; is delivered by the friendship of another prisoner,

Gen 39; 40; Psa 105:18.

Is an interpreter of dreams:

of the two prisoners,

Gen 40:5-23;

of Pharaoh,

Gen 41:1-37.

His name is changed to Zaphnath-paaneah,

Gen 41:11.

Is promoted to authority next to Pharaoh at thirty years of age,

Gen 41:37-46; Psa 105:19-22.

Marries the daughter of the priest of On,

Gen 41:45.

Provides against the seven years of famine,

Gen 41:46-57.

Exports the produce of Egypt to other countries,

Gen 41:57.

Sells the stores of food to the people of Egypt, exacting from them all their money, flocks and herds, lands and lives,

Gen 47:13-26.

Exempts the priests from the exactions,

Gen 47:22, 26.

His father sends down into Egypt to buy corn (grain),

Gen 42; 43; 44.

Reveals himself to his brothers; sends for his father; provides the land of Goshen for his people; and sustains them during the famine,

Gen 45; 46; 47:1-12.

His two sons,

Gen 41:50, 52.

See EPHRAIM; MANASSEH

Mourns the death of his father,

Gen 50:1-14.

Exacts a pledge from his brothers to convey his remains to Canaan,

Gen 50:2, 4, 25; Hbr 11:22; with Exd 13:19; Jos 24:32; Act 7:16.

Death of,

Gen 50:22-26.

Kindness of heart,

Gen 40:7, 8.

His integrity,

Gen 39:7-12;

humility,

Gen 41:16; 45:7-9;

wisdom,

Gen 41:33-57;

piety,

Gen 41:51;

faith,

Gen 45:5-8.

Was a prophet

Gen 41:38, 39; 50:25; Exd 13:19.

God's providence with,

Gen 39:2-5; Psa 105:17-22.

His sons jointly called JOSEPH,

Deu 33:13-17.

Descendants of,

Gen 46:20; Num 26:28-37.

Joseph: 2. Father of Igal the Spy

Num 13:7

Joseph: 3. Of the Sons of Asaph

1Ch 25:2, 9

Joseph: 4. A Returned Exile

Ezr 10:42

Joseph: 5. A Priest

Neh 12:14

Joseph: 6. Husband of Mary

Mat 13:55; Mar 6:3; Mat 1:18-25; Luk 1:27

His genealogy,

Mat 1:1-16; Luk 3:23-38.

An angel appears and testifies to the innocence of his betrothed,

Mat 1:19-24.

Lives at Nazareth,

Luk 2:4.

Belongs to the town of Bethlehem,

Luk 2:4.

Goes to Bethlehem to be enrolled,

Luk 2:1-4.

Jesus born to,

Mat 1:25; Luk 2:7.

Presents Jesus in the temple,

Luk 2:22-39.

Returns to Nazareth,

Luk 2:39.

Warned in a dream to escape to Egypt in order to save the infant's life,

Mat 2:13-15.

Warned in a dream to return to Nazareth,

Mat 2:19-23.

Attends the annual feast at Jerusalem with his family,

Luk 2:42-51.

Joseph: 7. Of Arimathaea

Begs for the body of Jesus for burial in his own tomb,

Mat 27:57-60; Mar 15:42-47; Luk 23:50-56; Jhn 19:38-42.

Joseph: 8. Three Ancestors of Joseph

Luk 3:24, 26, 30

Joseph: 9. Called also Barsabas

Surnamed Justus. One of the two persons nominated in place of Judas,

Act 1:21, 22, 23.

Joseph: 10. A Designation of the Ten Tribes of Israel

Amo 5:6

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Joseph:

(increase).

(1.) The elder of the two sons of Jacob by Rachel. He was born in Padan‐aram (Mesopotamia) probably about B.C. 1746. He is first mentioned when a youth, seventeen years old. Joseph brought the evil report of his brethren to his father, and they hated him because his father loved him more than he did them, and had shown his preference by making a dress which appears to have been a long tunic with sleeves, worn by youths and maidens of the richer class (Genesis 37:2). He dreamed a dream foreshadowing his future power, which increased the hatred of his brethren (Genesis 37:5-7). He was sent by his father to visit his brothers, who were tending flocks in the fields of Dothan. They resolved to kill him, but he was saved by Reuben, who persuaded the brothers to cast Joseph into a dry pit, to the intent that he might restore him to Jacob. The appearance of the Ishmaelites suggested his sale for "twenty pieces (shekels) of silver:" verse 28. Sold into Egypt to Potiphar, Joseph prospered and was soon set over Potiphar's house, and "all he had he gave into his hand;" but incurring the anger of Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39:7-13) he was falsely accused and thrown into prison, where he remained at least two years, interpreting during this time the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker. Finally Pharaoh himself dreamed two prophetic dreams. Joseph, being sent for, interpreted them in the name of God, foretelling the seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine. Pharaoh at once appointed Joseph not merely governor of Egypt, but second only to the sovereign, and also gave him to wife Asenath, daughter of Potipherah priest of On (Hieropolis) and gave him a name or title, Zaphnath‐paaneah (preserver of life.) Joseph's first act was to go throughout all the land of Egypt. During the seven plenteous years there was a very abundant produce, and he gathered the fifth part and laid it up. When the seven good years had passed, the famine began (Genesis 41:54-57). SEE [FAMINE]. After the famine had lasted for a time, apparently two years, Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they brought, and brought it into Pharaoh's house (Genesis 47:13-14) and when the money was exhausted, all the cattle, and finally all the land except that of the priests, and apparently, as a consequence, the Egyptians themselves. He demanded, however, only a fifth part of the produce as Pharaoh's right. Now Jacob, who had suffered also from the effects of the famine, sent Joseph's brother to Egypt for corn. The whole story of Joseph's treatment of his brethren is so graphically told in Genesis 42-45 and is so familiar, that it is unnecessary here to repeat it. On the death of Jacob in Egypt Joseph carried him to Canaan, and laid him in the cave of Machpelah, the burying‐place of his fathers. Joseph lived "a hundred and ten years," having been more than ninety in Egypt. Dying, he took an oath of his brethren that they should carry up his bones to the land of promise: thus showing in his latest action the faith (Hebrews 11:22) which had guided his whole life. Like his father he was embalmed, "and he was put in a coffin in Egypt." (Genesis 50:26). His trust Moses kept, and laid the bones of Joseph in his inheritance in Shechem, in the territory of Ephraim his offspring. His tomb is, according to tradition, about a stone's throw from Jacob's well.

(2.) Father of Igal, who represented the tribe of Issachar among the spies (Numbers 13:7).

(3.) A lay Israelite who had married a foreign wife (Ezra 10:42). (B.C. 459)

(4.) A representative of the priestly family of Shebaniah (Nehemiah 12:14). (B.C. after 536)

(5.) One of the ancestors of Christ (Luke 3:30). Son of Jonan.

(6.) Another ancestor of Christ, son of Judah (Luke 3:26). (B.C. between 536‐410.)

(7.) Another, son of Mattathias (Luke 3:24). (B.C. after 400)

(8.) Son of Heli, and reputed father of Jesus Christ. All that is told us of Joseph in the New Testament may be summed up in a few words. He was a just man, and of the house and lineage of David. He lived at Nazareth in Galilee. He espoused Mary, the daughter and heir of his uncle Jacob, and before he took her home as his wife received the angelic communication recorded in Matthew 1:20. When Jesus was twelve years old Joseph and Mary took him with them to keep the Passover at Jerusalem, and when they returned to Nazareth he continued to act as a father to the child Jesus, and was reputed to be so indeed. But here our knowledge of Joseph ends. That he died before our Lord's crucifixion is indeed tolerably certain, by what is related (John 19:27) and perhaps (Mark 6:3) may imply that he was then dead. But where, when or how he died we know not.

(9.) Joseph of Arimathaea, a rich and pious Israelite, probably a member of the Great Council or Sanhedrin. He is further characterized as "a good man and a just." (Luke 23:50). We are expressly told that he did not "consent to the counsel and deed" of his colleagues in conspiring to bring about the death of Jesus; but he seems to have lacked the courage to protest against their judgment. On the very evening of the crucifixion, when the triumph of the chief priests and rulers seemed complete, Joseph "went in boldly unto Pilate and craved the body of Jesus." Pilate consented. Joseph and Nicodemus then, having enfolded the sacred body in the linen shroud which Joseph had bought, consigned it to a tomb hewn in a rock, in a garden belonging to Joseph, and close to the place of crucifixion. There is a tradition that he was one of the seventy disciples.

(10.) Joseph, called Barsabas, and surnamed Justus; one of the two persons chosen by the assembled church (Acts 1:23) as worthy to fill the place in the apostolic company from which Judas had fallen.