Thematic Bible: Joseph


Thematic Bible



Dear brothers, do not be sad or angry with yourselves that you sold me. God sent me ahead of you to save lives. Verse ConceptsAfflicted Saints, Examples OfKept Alive By GodIndividuals Saving OthersIdentitypreservation

God sent me ahead of you to make sure that you would have descendants on the earth, and to save your lives in an amazing way. It was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me like a father to Pharaoh. He made me lord over his entire household, and ruler of Egypt.

Potiphar turned over everything he had to the care of Joseph. He did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Joseph was well built and good-looking. Verse ConceptsFidelityServants, GoodTrustworthinessBusiness EthicsBeauty, In MenSeeking FoodAuthority Delegated To PeopleHandsome Men

You have nothing to fear. I will take care of you and your children. So he reassured them with kind words that touched their hearts. Verse ConceptsKindnessKind WordsPeople Providingprovidingreassurance

He laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone in front of the door of the tomb, and departed. Verse ConceptsTombsSepulchresCaves For BuryingRollingJesus TombUnusedAnother's Burial PlaceChristmas Treecrusades

Is this man the carpenter's son? Is his mother called Mary? Are his brothers James and Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Verse ConceptsCraftsmenCarpentersOccupationsWork, As Ordained By GodHumility Of ChristChrist, Names ForChrist's Earthly FamilyWho He Might BeMothers And Sonsnegativity

Soon his master's wife began to desire Joseph and asked him to go to bed with her. He refused, and said to her: My master does not have to concern himself with anything in the house, because I am here. He has put me in charge of everything he has. No one in this house is greater than I. He has kept nothing back from me except you. You are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God? read more.
She kept asking Joseph day after day. He refused to go to bed with her or be with her.

Soon his master's wife began to desire Joseph and asked him to go to bed with her. He refused, and said to her: My master does not have to concern himself with anything in the house, because I am here. He has put me in charge of everything he has. No one in this house is greater than I. He has kept nothing back from me except you. You are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God? read more.
She kept asking Joseph day after day. He refused to go to bed with her or be with her. One day he went into the house to do his work. None of the household servants were there. She grabbed him by his coat and said: Come to bed with me! But he ran outside and left his coat in her hand. When she realized that he had gone but had left his coat behind, she called her household servants and said to them: Look! My husband brought this Hebrew here to fool around with us. He came in and tried to go to bed with me. I screamed as loud as I could. When he heard me scream, he ran out of the house, leaving his coat with me. Potiphar's wife kept Joseph's coat until her husband came home. She said: That Hebrew slave of yours tried to rape me! When I screamed for help, he left his coat and ran out of the house. Potiphar became very angry and threw Joseph in the same prison where the king's prisoners were kept. While Joseph was in prison,

Joseph got in his chariot and went to Goshen to meet his father. When they met, Joseph threw his arms around his father's neck and cried for a long time. Verse ConceptsPeople KissingChariotsGreetingsLove, And The WorldChildren, Good KidsChildren, Good Examples OfMeeting PeopleAction For A Long TimePreparing To Travel

Hurry back to my father and tell him, 'This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of Egypt. Come here to me immediately! Live in the land of Goshen. You will be near me. Live there with your children and your grandchildren, as well as your flocks, your herds, and everything you have. I will provide for you in Egypt. For there will be five more years of famine. Then you, your family, and all who belong to you will not lose all that you have.' read more.
You and my brother Benjamin can see for yourselves that I am the one who is speaking to you. You must tell my father of my entire splendor in Egypt. Tell him all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.

Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt. He gave them property in the best of the land near the city of Rameses. This was as the king had commanded. Joseph provided food for his father, his brothers, and all the rest of his father's family, including the very youngest.

Joseph took them off his father's lap and bowed with his face touching the ground. Verse ConceptsKnees

Joseph threw himself on his father. He cried over him, and kissed him. Then Joseph gave orders to embalm his father's body. It took forty days, which is the normal time for embalming. The Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. read more.
When the time of mourning was over, Joseph said to the king's officials: Please take this message to the king: When my father was about to die, he made me promise him that I would bury him in the tomb that he had prepared in the land of Canaan. Please, let me go and bury my father. Then I will come back. The king replied: By all means go and bury your father, as you promised you would. So Joseph went to bury his father. All the king's officials, the senior men of his court, and all the leading men of Egypt went with Joseph. His family, including his brothers, and the rest of his father's family all went with him. Only their small children and their sheep, goats, and cattle stayed in the region of Goshen. Men in chariots and men on horseback also went with him. It was a very large group. They mourned loudly for a long time at the threshing place at Atad east of the Jordan. Joseph performed mourning ceremonies for seven days. The citizens of Canaan saw those people mourning at Atad. They said: What a solemn ceremony of mourning the Egyptians are holding! That is why the place was named Abel-mizraim. Jacob's sons did as he had commanded them. They carried his body to Canaan and buried it in the cave at Machpelah east of Mamre. He was buried in the field Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite for a burial ground.

Soon his master's wife began to desire Joseph and asked him to go to bed with her. He refused, and said to her: My master does not have to concern himself with anything in the house, because I am here. He has put me in charge of everything he has. No one in this house is greater than I. He has kept nothing back from me except you. You are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God? read more.
She kept asking Joseph day after day. He refused to go to bed with her or be with her. One day he went into the house to do his work. None of the household servants were there. She grabbed him by his coat and said: Come to bed with me! But he ran outside and left his coat in her hand.

Soon his master's wife began to desire Joseph and asked him to go to bed with her. He refused, and said to her: My master does not have to concern himself with anything in the house, because I am here. He has put me in charge of everything he has. No one in this house is greater than I. He has kept nothing back from me except you. You are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God? read more.
She kept asking Joseph day after day. He refused to go to bed with her or be with her. One day he went into the house to do his work. None of the household servants were there. She grabbed him by his coat and said: Come to bed with me! But he ran outside and left his coat in her hand. When she realized that he had gone but had left his coat behind, she called her household servants and said to them: Look! My husband brought this Hebrew here to fool around with us. He came in and tried to go to bed with me. I screamed as loud as I could. When he heard me scream, he ran out of the house, leaving his coat with me. Potiphar's wife kept Joseph's coat until her husband came home. She said: That Hebrew slave of yours tried to rape me! When I screamed for help, he left his coat and ran out of the house. Potiphar became very angry and threw Joseph in the same prison where the king's prisoners were kept. While Joseph was in prison,

Joseph of Arimathaea was a prominent council member who also was looking for the Kingdom of God. He boldly approached Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Verse ConceptsBoldness, To PeopleKingdom Of God, Coming OfSanhedrinWaitingWaiting On GodBoldness Examples OfMessianic HopeJesus CorpseNot DiscouragedThose Who Wait For Godrisk

Joseph recognized his brothers the moment he saw them. Even so, he acted as if he did not know them and spoke harshly to them: Where did you come from? They answered: From Canaan, to buy food. Even though Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. He remembered the dreams he had dreamed about them and said: You are spies! You have come to find out where our country is weak. read more.
No! they answered. We have come as your slaves, to buy food. We are all brothers. We are not spies. We are honest men. Joseph said to them: No! You have come to find out where our country is weak. They said: Sir, we were twelve brothers in all, sons of the same man in the land of Canaan. One brother is dead, and the youngest is now with our father. It is just as I said, Joseph answered. You are spies. This is how you will be tested: I swear by the name of the king that you will never leave unless your youngest brother comes here. One of you must go and get him. The rest of you will be kept under guard until the truth of what you say can be tested. Otherwise, as sure as the king lives, you are spies. He put all of them together in prison for three days. On the third day, Joseph said: Do this and live, for I too respect God. If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in prison. Concerning the rest of you, carry grain for the famine of your households, and bring your youngest brother to me. We will verify your words and you will not die. They complied.

Joseph came home and they gave him the gifts they had brought. They bowed down to him. Joseph asked how they were. He said: What about your elderly father? Is he still alive? They answered: Your servant our father is still alive and well. Again they bowed down to Joseph. read more.
Joseph looked around and saw his brother Benjamin. He said: This must be the youngest brother you told me about. God bless you, my son. Right away he rushed off to his room and cried because of his love for Benjamin. After washing his face and returning, he was able to control himself. He said: Serve the meal! Joseph was served at a table by himself. His brothers were served at another. The Egyptians sat at yet another table. This is because Egyptians felt it was disgusting to eat with Hebrews. To the surprise of Joseph's brothers, they were seated in front of him according to their ages, from the oldest to the youngest. They were served food from Joseph's table. And Benjamin was given five times as much as each of the others. So Joseph's brothers drank with him and had a good time.

Joseph had this in mind when God's angel appeared to him in a dream. The angel said to him: Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She is pregnant by Holy Spirit. Verse ConceptsAngel of the LordDocetismCommunicationDreamsGod, Revelation OfHeaven And AngelsFear, Of UnknownAngels Helping UsThe Holy Spirit Giving LifeConceptionGod AppearingTaking A WifeDirect Communication Through DreamsNativity of Jesus ChristWorry And StressResolving Conflictgabriel

When they left, the angel of God appeared to Joseph in a dream and said: Herod is looking to kill the young child. Arise, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you to leave. Verse ConceptsFutureFugitivesAngel of the LordCommunicationSafetySpeech, DivineSuffering, Of Jesus ChristViolenceHeaven And AngelsVisions And Dreams In ScriptureProvincesStaying PutAttempts To Kill ChristGod AppearingTaking ChristImmigrantsreuniting

After Herod died God's angel appeared in a dream to Joseph who was in Egypt. The angel told him: Take the child and his mother and go to Israel. Those who tried to kill the child are dead.

One time Joseph had a dream. He told his brothers about it and they hated him even more. He said: Please listen to the dream I had. We were all in the field tying up sheaves of wheat. My sheaf got up and stood up straight. Yours formed a circle around mine and bowed down to it. read more.
Do you think you are going to be a king and rule over us? his brothers asked. So they hated him even more because of his dreams and because of what he said about them. Joseph had another dream and told his brothers: I had another dream, in which I saw the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowing down to me.

Dear brothers, do not be sad or angry with yourselves that you sold me. God sent me ahead of you to save lives. Verse ConceptsAfflicted Saints, Examples OfKept Alive By GodIndividuals Saving OthersIdentitypreservation

God sent me ahead of you to make sure that you would have descendants on the earth, and to save your lives in an amazing way. It was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me like a father to Pharaoh. He made me lord over his entire household, and ruler of Egypt.

By faith Joseph, when his end was near, mentioned the departure of the children of Israel. Then he gave orders concerning his bones. Verse ConceptsBonesExamples Of FaithExhumationsDeparturesNearness Of DeathExploits Of FaithDeath Will Soon HappenExodus

he put him in charge of the other prisoners and of everything that was done in the jail. The jailer did not worry about anything, because Jehovah was with Joseph and made him successful in all that he did.

A young Hebrew, who was a servant of the captain of the guard, was there with us at the time. When we told him our dreams, he explained what each of them meant. Verse ConceptsTelling Dreams

Even though you planned evil against me, God planned good to come out of it. This was to keep many people alive, as he is doing now. You have nothing to fear. I will take care of you and your children. So he reassured them with kind words that touched their hearts.

He kissed all his brothers and wept on them. Afterward his brothers talked with him. Verse ConceptsPeople KissingKissingLove to Others, Examples OfConversation

and he said to them: We will never find a better man than Joseph. He is a man who has God's Spirit in him. Verse ConceptsFindingThe Spirit Of GodUnique IndividualsExcellence

A young Hebrew, who was a servant of the captain of the guard, was there with us at the time. When we told him our dreams, he explained what each of them meant. Verse ConceptsTelling Dreams

Joseph then answered Pharaoh: I cannot do it myself, but God can give the meaning of your dreams. Verse ConceptsHumilityMission, Of IsraelGod Will AnswerNot Me

Her husband Joseph was an honorable man and did not want to disgrace her publicly. So he decided to break the marriage agreement with her secretly. Verse ConceptsFalse Accusations, Examples OfAdultery and DivorceLove, In RelationshipsQuietnessActing In SecretNot Put To ShamePeople UnwillingActual DivorcesResolving Conflict

Her husband Joseph was an honorable man and did not want to disgrace her publicly. So he decided to break the marriage agreement with her secretly. Verse ConceptsFalse Accusations, Examples OfAdultery and DivorceLove, In RelationshipsQuietnessActing In SecretNot Put To ShamePeople UnwillingActual DivorcesResolving Conflict

Joseph is a fruitful tree, a fruitful tree by a spring, with branches climbing over a wall. Archers provoked him, shot at him, and harassed him. His bow stayed steady! His arms remained limber because of the help of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, read more.
because of the God of your father who helps you, because of the Almighty who blesses you from the heavens above, blessings from the deep springs below the ground, blessings from breasts and womb. The blessings of your father are greater than the blessings of the oldest mountains and the riches of the ancient hills. May these blessings rest on the head of Joseph, on the crown of the prince among his brothers.

When they left, the angel of God appeared to Joseph in a dream and said: Herod is looking to kill the young child. Arise, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you to leave. Verse ConceptsFutureFugitivesAngel of the LordCommunicationSafetySpeech, DivineSuffering, Of Jesus ChristViolenceHeaven And AngelsVisions And Dreams In ScriptureProvincesStaying PutAttempts To Kill ChristGod AppearingTaking ChristImmigrantsreuniting

After Herod died God's angel appeared in a dream to Joseph who was in Egypt. Verse ConceptsGod AppearingDeath Of A Family MemberDeath Of A ChildDeath Of A MotherFamily Death

Joseph came from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea to be counted and taxed. He went to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David. Verse ConceptsCity Of DavidGod Shows Loving KindnessRelativesNativity of Jesus ChristJesus Birth

All witnessed this and wondered at the kind words that he spoke. They said: Is this not Joseph's son? Verse ConceptsLipsGrace, And Jesus ChristKind WordsAmazement, Of Jesus ChristPraising Specific PeopleWho He Might Begraciousness

When Jesus began to teach he was about thirty years old. Jesus was the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, Verse ConceptsBeginningNoahThirtySonsChrist, Names ForBeginning To TeachAgemanhoodevangelising

Jacob was the father of Joseph, who was the husband of Mary. Mary was the mother of Jesus, who is called Christ (the Anointed). Verse ConceptsMaryNativity of Jesus ChristJesus BirthRelationships With Boyfriendmums

When the time of mourning was over, Joseph said to the king's officials: Please take this message to the king:

Promise me that you will take my body with you when God leads you to that land. Verse ConceptsBonesFaithfulness, In Human RelationshipsLove, And The WorldExhumationsGod VisitingPeople Bound By Oaths

Their bodies were brought to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem. Verse ConceptsMoney, Uses OfThe Cave Of Machpelah

Then Joseph gave orders to embalm his father's body. Verse ConceptsThe DeaddoctorsArts And Crafts, Types ofPreparation For BurialDrugs

By faith Joseph, when his end was near, mentioned the departure of the children of Israel. Then he gave orders concerning his bones. Verse ConceptsBonesExamples Of FaithExhumationsDeparturesNearness Of DeathExploits Of FaithDeath Will Soon HappenExodus

The body of Joseph, which the people of Israel had brought from Egypt, was buried at Shechem, in the piece of land that Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for a hundred pieces of silver. Joseph's descendants inherited this land. Verse ConceptsExhumationsBonesLarge Denominations

Moses took the body of Joseph with him. Joseph made the Israelites solemnly promise to do so. Joseph said: When God rescues you, you must carry my body with you from this place. Verse ConceptsFaithfulness, In Human RelationshipsGod VisitingBonesPeople Bound By Oaths

Joseph of Arimathaea was a disciple of Jesus. He approached Pilate secretly for fear of the Jews. He asked Pilate for permission to take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission. So he took the body away. Nicodemus also came with a mixture of myrrh and about a hundred pounds of aloes. Nicodemus is the one who came to Jesus at night. They prepared the body of Jesus for burial. They bound it in linen cloths with spices. This was the custom of the Jews. read more.
There was a garden at the place where he was impaled. It contained a new tomb where no one had been buried. They laid Jesus there because the Jews Preparation was close at hand.

Evening arrived. It was the Preparation Day (Exodus 16:22-27), the day before the Sabbath. Joseph of Arimathaea was a prominent council member who also was looking for the Kingdom of God. He boldly approached Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate wondered if he were already dead. So he summoned the centurion and asked him about the death. read more.
When the centurion confirmed it he granted the body to Joseph. He bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth. Then he laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of a rock. He rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses, saw where he was laid.

Joseph was a member of the council and a good and righteous man. He was from Arimathaea a city of the Jews and was looking for the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. read more.
He took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth. Then he laid him in a tomb that was carved in stone. No man had ever lain in this tomb. It was the day of the Preparation and the Sabbath was near. The women from Galilee went with him to see the tomb and the place for the body. They returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

A disciple of Jesus named Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate commanded that it be given to him. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. read more.
He laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone in front of the door of the tomb, and departed.

I am giving you one more mountain ridge than your brothers. I took it from the Amorites with my own sword and bow. Verse ConceptsFighting Enemies

He put the concubines and their children first, then Leah and her children, and finally Rachel and Joseph at the rear. Verse ConceptsPartialityOrder Of MarchLast OnesIn Front

All his sons and daughters came to comfort him. However, he refused to be comforted. He said: I will go down to the grave still mourning for my son. So he continued to mourn for his son Joseph. Verse ConceptsBereavement, Experience OfGrave, TheLove, And The WorldSheolWeepingComfort, Of FriendsParental LoveAfflicted To DeathNo Comfort

Jacob (Israel) loved Joseph more than all his sons because Joseph had been born in Israel's old age. So he made Joseph a special multicolored robe with long sleeves. Joseph's brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them. They hated Joseph and could not speak to him in a friendly way.

He arrived at a city of Samaria called Sychar. It is near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Verse ConceptsTownPeople Giving Other Thingshumor

and though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph Verse ConceptsRulers

Is this man the carpenter's son? Is his mother called Mary? Are his brothers James and Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Verse ConceptsCraftsmenCarpentersOccupationsWork, As Ordained By GodHumility Of ChristChrist, Names ForChrist's Earthly FamilyWho He Might BeMothers And Sonsnegativity


to a virgin named Mary. Mary was engaged to Joseph, a descendant of King David. Verse ConceptsMarriage, Customs ConcerningPledgesVirginThe Virgin BirthEngagementNativity of Jesus Christ

The birth (genesis: origin) (beginning) of Jesus Christ was as follows: His mother Mary had been promised to Joseph in marriage. But before they were married, Mary realized that she was pregnant by Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph was an honorable man and did not want to disgrace her publicly. So he decided to break the marriage agreement with her secretly. Joseph had this in mind when God's angel appeared to him in a dream. The angel said to him: Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She is pregnant by Holy Spirit. read more.
She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus (Jehovah (YHWH) is salvation), because he will save his people from their sins. All this happened so that what God spoke through the prophet came true: The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which means: God (God-like one) is with us. (John 1:18) When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of God had commanded him to do. He took Mary to be his wife. He did not have marital relations with her before she gave birth to a son. Joseph named the child Jesus.

Joseph's brothers were jealous of him. His father kept thinking about the whole matter. Verse ConceptsMotives, Examples OfEnvy, Example OfPeople RememberingThose Jealous Of People

The family heads were jealous of Joseph and sold him as a slave into Egypt. However, God was with him. Verse ConceptsJealousyAbraham, New Testament ReferencesGod With Specific PeopleThose Jealous Of People

Joseph's brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them. They hated Joseph and could not speak to him in a friendly way. Verse ConceptsdisagreementsGrudgesHatredJealousyPersecution, Forms OfSpiteSuffering, Causes OfHatred Between RelativesHating IndividualsNo PeaceMan's FavouriteBrothers Lovefriendliness

Before he arrived, they saw him coming and made plans to kill him. They said to one another: Look, here comes the hero of those dreams! Let us kill him and throw him into a water pit. We can say that some wild animal ate him. Then we will see what happens to those dreams. read more.
Reuben heard this and tried to protect Joseph from them. Let us not kill him, he said. Do not murder him or even harm him. Just throw him into a dry well out here in the desert. Reuben planned to rescue Joseph later and take him back to his father. When Joseph came to his brothers, they pulled off his fancy coat. They put him into a water pit. It had no water in it. As they sat down to eat, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying the materials for cosmetics, medicine, and embalming. They were on their way to take them to Egypt. Judah asked his brothers: What will we gain by killing our brother and covering up his death? Let us sell him to the Ishmaelites. Let us not hurt him, because he is our brother, our own flesh and blood. His brothers agreed. Some of the Midianite traders approached. The brothers pulled Joseph out of the well and sold him for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites. They took him to Egypt.

He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold for a servant.

and threw Joseph in the same prison where the king's prisoners were kept. While Joseph was in prison, Jehovah helped him and was good to him. He even made the jailer like Joseph so much that he put him in charge of the other prisoners and of everything that was done in the jail. read more.
The jailer did not worry about anything, because Jehovah was with Joseph and made him successful in all that he did.

Joseph had been taken to Egypt. Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's Egyptian officials and captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. Jehovah was with Joseph. Joseph became a successful man. He worked in the house of his Egyptian master. Joseph's master saw that Jehovah was with him. Jehovah made him succeed in everything he did. read more.
Potiphar was pleased with him and made him his personal servant. He put him in charge of his house and everything he owned. Jehovah blessed the Egyptian's household and everything he had in his house and in his fields because of Joseph. Potiphar turned over everything he had to the care of Joseph. He did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Joseph was well built and good-looking.

Right away he rushed off to his room and cried because of his love for Benjamin. Verse ConceptsHousesPrivacySuffering, Emotional Aspects OfPartialityBowelsHasty ActionPrivate Rooms

Then he fell on his brother Benjamin's neck (huged his brother) and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. (Acts 20:37) Verse ConceptsNecksSalutations

Promise me that you will take my body with you when God leads you to that land. Verse ConceptsBonesFaithfulness, In Human RelationshipsLove, And The WorldExhumationsGod VisitingPeople Bound By Oaths

Moses took the body of Joseph with him. Joseph made the Israelites solemnly promise to do so. Joseph said: When God rescues you, you must carry my body with you from this place. Verse ConceptsFaithfulness, In Human RelationshipsGod VisitingBonesPeople Bound By Oaths

and he said to them: We will never find a better man than Joseph. He is a man who has God's Spirit in him. The king said to Joseph: God has shown you all this. Therefore it is obvious that you have greater wisdom and insight than anyone else.

Joseph then answered Pharaoh: I cannot do it myself, but God can give the meaning of your dreams. Verse ConceptsHumilityMission, Of IsraelGod Will AnswerNot Me

It was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me like a father to Pharaoh. He made me lord over his entire household, and ruler of Egypt. Verse Conceptsevil, victory overGovernorsRulersPromotionSpiritual FathersGod Sending ProphetsCaused By GodProvidence, Of God In CircumstancesIdentityIdentity In Christ

To his father he sent ten donkeys loaded with the best things in Egypt. And ten other donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other food for the return trip. Verse ConceptsTen AnimalsMultitudes Of Donkeys

Joseph brought his father Jacob and presented him to the king. Jacob gave the king his blessing. Verse ConceptsGreetingsPeople Who Blessed Others

A disciple of Jesus named Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea, Verse ConceptsAffluenceEvenings For Jesus And His DisciplesWealthy People

Joseph was a member of the council and a good and righteous man. Verse ConceptsChristmas Treeassertiveness

The king and his officials approved this plan, and he said to them: We will never find a better man than Joseph. He is a man who has God's Spirit in him. The king said to Joseph: God has shown you all this. Therefore it is obvious that you have greater wisdom and insight than anyone else. read more.
I will put you in charge of my country. All my people will obey your orders. Your authority will be second only to mine. I now appoint you governor over all Egypt. Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand. He clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck. He had him ride in his second chariot. They proclaimed before him: Bow the knee! Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph: Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh named Joseph, Zaphenath-paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, as his wife. And Joseph went forth over the land of Egypt. Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt.

Jehovah's presence tested him through fiery trials until the time that his word came. The king sent someone to release him. The ruler of nations set him free. He made Joseph the master of his palace and the ruler of all his possessions. read more.
Joseph trained the king's officers the way he wanted and taught his respected leaders wisdom.

Jehovah was with Joseph. Joseph became a successful man. He worked in the house of his Egyptian master. Joseph's master saw that Jehovah was with him. Jehovah made him succeed in everything he did. Potiphar was pleased with him and made him his personal servant. He put him in charge of his house and everything he owned. read more.
Jehovah blessed the Egyptian's household and everything he had in his house and in his fields because of Joseph.

He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold for a servant. Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Jehovah's presence tested him through fiery trials until the time that his word came. read more.
The king sent someone to release him. The ruler of nations set him free. He made Joseph the master of his palace and the ruler of all his possessions. Joseph trained the king's officers the way he wanted and taught his respected leaders wisdom.

When Jesus began to teach he was about thirty years old. Jesus was the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, read more.
the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, the son of Jesus, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Symeon, the son of Judas, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the Son of God.

The list of ancestors of Jesus Christ, descendant of David and Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah and Tamar were the father and mother of Perez and Zerah. Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, read more.
Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon. Salmon and Rahab were the father and mother of Boaz. Boaz and Ruth were the father and mother of Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of King David. David and Uriah's wife Bath-sheba were the father and mother of Solomon. Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah, Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah. Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers. They lived at the time when the people were exiled to Babylon. After the exile to Babylon, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Joseph, who was the husband of Mary. Mary was the mother of Jesus, who is called Christ (the Anointed).

In Egypt, Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph by Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest from the city of On. Verse ConceptsOccupations

The families descended from Joseph through Manasseh and Ephraim were from Manasseh the family of Machir who was the father of Gilead and the family of Gilead. The descendants of Gilead were the family of Iezer, the family of Helek, read more.
the family of Asriel, the family of Shechem, the family of Shemida, and the family of Hepher. Zelophehad, son of Hepher, had no sons-only daughters. Their names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. These were the families of Manasseh. The total number of men was fifty-two thousand seven hundred. The families descended from Ephraim were the family of Shuthelah, the family of Beker, and the family of Tahan. The descendants of Shuthelah were the family of Eran. These were the families of Ephraim's descendants. The total number of men was thirty-two thousand five hundred. These were the families descended from Joseph.

Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Verse ConceptsIronHurthurting

Joseph took five of his brothers and went to the king. He told him: My father and my brothers have come from Canaan with their flocks, their herds, and all that they own. They are now in the region of Goshen. Then he presented his brothers to the king. The king asked: What is your occupation? We are shepherds, Sir, just as our ancestors were, they answered. read more.
We have come to live in this country. The famine is so severe in the land of Canaan that there is no pasture for our flocks. Please give us permission to live in the region of Goshen. The king said to Joseph: Now that your father and your brothers have arrived, the land of Egypt is theirs. Let them settle in the region of Goshen, the best part of the land. If there are any capable men among them, put them in charge of my own livestock. Joseph brought his father Jacob and presented him to the king. Jacob gave the king his blessing. The king asked him: How old are you? Jacob answered: My life of wandering has lasted a hundred and thirty years. Those years have been few and difficult, unlike the long years of my ancestors in their wanderings. Jacob gave the king a farewell blessing and left. Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt. He gave them property in the best of the land near the city of Rameses. This was as the king had commanded. Joseph provided food for his father, his brothers, and all the rest of his father's family, including the very youngest.

So the king sent for Joseph. He was quickly brought out of jail. He shaved, changed his clothes, and went to the king. The king said: I had a dream. No one can explain what it means. I am told that you can interpret dreams. Joseph then answered Pharaoh: I cannot do it myself, but God can give the meaning of your dreams. read more.
The king told Joseph: I dreamed as I stood on the bank of the Nile River, I saw seven fat, healthy cows come up out of the river. They began feeding on the grass. Next, seven skinny, bony cows came up out of the river. I have never seen such terrible looking cows anywhere in Egypt. The skinny cows ate the fat ones! Even though they had eaten the fat cows, no one could tell they had eaten them. They looked just as sick as before. Then I woke up. In my second dream I saw seven good, full heads of grain growing on a single stalk. Seven other heads of grain, withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind, sprouted behind them. The thin heads of grain swallowed the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but no one could tell me what it meant. Joseph said to Pharaoh: Pharaoh had the same dream twice. God has told Pharaoh what he is going to do. The seven good cows are seven years. The seven good heads of grain are seven years. It is all the same dream. The seven thin, sickly cows that came up behind them are seven years. The seven empty heads of grain scorched by the east wind are also seven years. Seven years of famine are coming! It is just as I said to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what he is going to do. Seven years are coming when there will be plenty of food in Egypt. Seven years of famine will follow. Then people will forget that there was plenty of food in Egypt. The famine will ruin the land. People will not remember that there was once plenty of food in the land, because the coming famine will be so severe. The reason Pharaoh has had a recurring dream is because the matter has been definitely decided by God. He will do it very soon. Pharaoh should look for a wise and intelligent man and put him in charge of Egypt. Make arrangements to appoint supervisors over the land. Take a fifth of Egypt's harvest during the seven good years. Have them collect all the food during these good years. Store up grain under Pharaoh's control, to be kept for food in the cities. This food will be a reserve supply for our country during the seven years of famine that will happen in Egypt. Then the land will not be ruined by the famine. The king and his officials approved this plan, and he said to them: We will never find a better man than Joseph. He is a man who has God's Spirit in him. The king said to Joseph: God has shown you all this. Therefore it is obvious that you have greater wisdom and insight than anyone else. I will put you in charge of my country. All my people will obey your orders. Your authority will be second only to mine. I now appoint you governor over all Egypt. Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand. He clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck. He had him ride in his second chariot. They proclaimed before him: Bow the knee! Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph: Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh named Joseph, Zaphenath-paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, as his wife. And Joseph went forth over the land of Egypt. Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt.

Thus they sent word to Joseph, saying: Your father gave us orders before his death. He said, You are to say to Joseph: Let the wrongdoing of your brothers be overlooked, and the evil they did to you. If it is your pleasure, forgive the sin of the servants of your father's God.' Upon hearing these words Joseph was overcome with weeping. Then his brothers also came and immediately bowed down in front of him. We are your slaves! they said. read more.
Joseph replied to them: Do not be afraid! I cannot take God's place. Even though you planned evil against me, God planned good to come out of it. This was to keep many people alive, as he is doing now. You have nothing to fear. I will take care of you and your children. So he reassured them with kind words that touched their hearts.

Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand. He clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck. He had him ride in his second chariot. They proclaimed before him: Bow the knee! Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph: Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

Joseph then answered Pharaoh: I cannot do it myself, but God can give the meaning of your dreams. Verse ConceptsHumilityMission, Of IsraelGod Will AnswerNot Me

God sent me ahead of you to make sure that you would have descendants on the earth, and to save your lives in an amazing way. It was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me like a father to Pharaoh. He made me lord over his entire household, and ruler of Egypt. Hurry back to my father and tell him, 'This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of Egypt. Come here to me immediately!

Soon his master's wife began to desire Joseph and asked him to go to bed with her. He refused, and said to her: My master does not have to concern himself with anything in the house, because I am here. He has put me in charge of everything he has. No one in this house is greater than I. He has kept nothing back from me except you. You are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God? read more.
She kept asking Joseph day after day. He refused to go to bed with her or be with her. One day he went into the house to do his work. None of the household servants were there. She grabbed him by his coat and said: Come to bed with me! But he ran outside and left his coat in her hand. When she realized that he had gone but had left his coat behind,


He did not have marital relations with her before she gave birth to a son. Joseph named the child Jesus. Verse ConceptsMarriage, Customs ConcerningOne FleshAbsence Of SexNativity of Jesus ChristsexJesus BirthWaiting Till Marriageconnection

Jehovah was with Joseph. Joseph became a successful man. He worked in the house of his Egyptian master. Joseph's master saw that Jehovah was with him. Jehovah made him succeed in everything he did. Potiphar was pleased with him and made him his personal servant. He put him in charge of his house and everything he owned. read more.
Jehovah blessed the Egyptian's household and everything he had in his house and in his fields because of Joseph.

Jehovah helped him and was good to him. He even made the jailer like Joseph so much that Verse ConceptsKindnessPrisonersDivine FavourGod With Specific PeopleGod Showed His LovingkindnessFavor

The jailer did not worry about anything, because Jehovah was with Joseph and made him successful in all that he did. Verse ConceptsFindingSuccessGod With Specific PeopleSuccess Through God

One time Joseph had a dream. He told his brothers about it and they hated him even more. He said: Please listen to the dream I had. We were all in the field tying up sheaves of wheat. My sheaf got up and stood up straight. Yours formed a circle around mine and bowed down to it. read more.
Do you think you are going to be a king and rule over us? his brothers asked. So they hated him even more because of his dreams and because of what he said about them. Joseph had another dream and told his brothers: I had another dream, in which I saw the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowing down to me.

the son of Symeon, the son of Judas, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,

the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,

the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda,

Her husband Joseph was an honorable man and did not want to disgrace her publicly. So he decided to break the marriage agreement with her secretly. Verse ConceptsFalse Accusations, Examples OfAdultery and DivorceLove, In RelationshipsQuietnessActing In SecretNot Put To ShamePeople UnwillingActual DivorcesResolving Conflict

Joseph took the child and his mother to Egypt. Verse ConceptsDuring One NightTaking Christ

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of God had commanded him to do. He took Mary to be his wife. Verse ConceptsBetrothal

The famine was so severe that there was no food anywhere. The people of Egypt and Canaan became weak with hunger. They bought grain from Joseph. Joseph collected all the money and took it to the palace. When all the money in Egypt and Canaan was spent, the Egyptians came to Joseph and said: Give us food! Do not let us die. Do something! Our money is all gone. read more.
Joseph answered: Bring your livestock. I will give you food in exchange for it if your money is all gone. They brought their livestock to Joseph. He gave them food in exchange for their horses, sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys. That year he supplied them with food in exchange for all their livestock. The following year they said to him: We will not hide the fact from you, Sir, that our money is all gone and our livestock belongs to you. There is nothing left to give you except our bodies and our lands. Do not let us die. Do something! Do not let our fields be deserted. Buy us and buy our land in exchange for food. We will be the king's slaves. He will own our land. Give us grain to keep us alive and seed so that we can plant our fields. Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for the king. Every Egyptian was forced to sell his land, because the famine was so severe. All the land became the king's property. He [Joseph] removed the people into the cities from one end of the borders of Egypt to the other. The only land he did not buy was the land that belonged to the priests. The king gave the priests an allowance to live on. So they did not have to sell their lands. Joseph said to the people: I have now bought you and your lands for the king. Here is seed for you to sow in your fields. You must give one-fifth to the king at the time of harvest. You can use the rest for seed and for food for yourselves and your families. They answered: You have saved our lives. You have been good to us. We will be the king's slaves. Joseph made it a law for the land of Egypt that one-fifth of the harvest should belong to the king. This law still remains in force today. Only the lands of the priests did not become the king's property.

Reuben came back to the pit and found that Joseph was not there. He tore his clothes in sorrow. He returned to his brothers and said: The boy is not there! What am I going to do? Then they killed a goat and dipped Joseph's robe in its blood. read more.
They took the robe to their father and said: We found this. Does it belong to your son? He recognized it and said: Yes, it is his! Some wild animal has killed him. My son Joseph has been torn to pieces! Jacob tore his clothes in sorrow and put on sackcloth. He mourned for his son a long time. All his sons and daughters came to comfort him. However, he refused to be comforted. He said: I will go down to the grave still mourning for my son. So he continued to mourn for his son Joseph.

Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. During the seven years of plenty the land produced abundantly. He gathered all the food of these seven years that occurred in the land of Egypt and placed the food in the cities. He placed in every city the food from its own surrounding fields. read more.
Thus Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea. He finally stopped measuring it, for it was beyond measure. Before the year of famine came, there were born to Joseph two sons, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him. Joseph named his firstborn son Manasseh, because God helped him forget all his troubles and all about his father's family. He named the second son Ephraim, because God made him fruitful in the land where he had suffered. The seven years when there was plenty of food in Egypt came to an end. The seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in every other country, but there was food throughout Egypt. When the Egyptians became hungry, they cried out to the king for food. So he ordered them to go to Joseph and do what he told them. The famine grew worse and spread over the entire country. Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians. People came to Egypt from all over the world to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.

The only land he did not buy was the land that belonged to the priests. The king gave the priests an allowance to live on. So they did not have to sell their lands. Verse ConceptsGiving To OthersDividing Food

Joseph made it a law for the land of Egypt that one-fifth of the harvest should belong to the king. This law still remains in force today. Only the lands of the priests did not become the king's property. Verse ConceptsHuman LawStatutes To This Day

Blessed of Jehovah is his land. Bless it with the dew from heaven above and with the deep waters lying below. Bless with the choice yield of the sun, and with the bounty produced each month. Bless with the best things of the ancient mountains, and with the choice things of the everlasting hills. read more.
Bless with the choice things of the earth and its fullness. Let the favor of him who dwelt in the bush come to the head of Joseph and to the crown of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers. As the firstborn of his bulls, majesty is his. His horns are the horns of the wild bull. With them he will push the peoples, all at once, to the ends of the earth. They are the ten thousands of Ephraim and the thousands of Manasseh.

Let us sell him to the Ishmaelites. Let us not hurt him, because he is our brother, our own flesh and blood. His brothers agreed. Some of the Midianite traders approached. The brothers pulled Joseph out of the well and sold him for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites. They took him to Egypt.

Before the year of famine came, there were born to Joseph two sons, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him. Verse ConceptsTwo Sons

He named the second son Ephraim, because God made him fruitful in the land where he had suffered. Verse ConceptsFruitfulness, NaturalThe Source Of FruitGod Healing SorrowPeople With Apt Namesfruitfulness

Pharaoh should look for a wise and intelligent man and put him in charge of Egypt. Make arrangements to appoint supervisors over the land. Take a fifth of Egypt's harvest during the seven good years. Have them collect all the food during these good years. Store up grain under Pharaoh's control, to be kept for food in the cities. read more.
This food will be a reserve supply for our country during the seven years of famine that will happen in Egypt. Then the land will not be ruined by the famine. The king and his officials approved this plan, and he said to them: We will never find a better man than Joseph. He is a man who has God's Spirit in him. The king said to Joseph: God has shown you all this. Therefore it is obvious that you have greater wisdom and insight than anyone else. I will put you in charge of my country. All my people will obey your orders. Your authority will be second only to mine. I now appoint you governor over all Egypt. Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand. He clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck. He had him ride in his second chariot. They proclaimed before him: Bow the knee! Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph: Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh named Joseph, Zaphenath-paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, as his wife. And Joseph went forth over the land of Egypt. Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. During the seven years of plenty the land produced abundantly. He gathered all the food of these seven years that occurred in the land of Egypt and placed the food in the cities. He placed in every city the food from its own surrounding fields. Thus Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea. He finally stopped measuring it, for it was beyond measure. Before the year of famine came, there were born to Joseph two sons, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him. Joseph named his firstborn son Manasseh, because God helped him forget all his troubles and all about his father's family. He named the second son Ephraim, because God made him fruitful in the land where he had suffered. The seven years when there was plenty of food in Egypt came to an end. The seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in every other country, but there was food throughout Egypt. When the Egyptians became hungry, they cried out to the king for food. So he ordered them to go to Joseph and do what he told them. The famine grew worse and spread over the entire country. Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians. People came to Egypt from all over the world to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.

Joseph continued to live in Egypt with his father's family. He was a hundred and ten years old when he died. Joseph lived long enough to see Ephraim's children and grandchildren. He also lived to see the children of Manasseh's son Machir. He welcomed them into his family. Before Joseph died, he told his brothers: I will not live much longer. God will take care of you. He will lead you out of Egypt to the land he promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. read more.
Promise me that you will take my body with you when God leads you to that land. Joseph died in Egypt at the age of one hundred and ten. His body was embalmed and put in a coffin.

Someone must join us as a witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. He must be one of the men who were in our group during the time that the Lord Jesus traveled about with us. This should be from the time John preached his message of baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us to heaven. One who was with us from the baptism of John, to the day that he was received up from us must become a witness with us of his resurrection. They proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

When they left, the angel of God appeared to Joseph in a dream and said: Herod is looking to kill the young child. Arise, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you to leave. Joseph took the child and his mother to Egypt. They did not return until the death of Herod. The words spoken by Jehovah through the prophet were fulfilled: I called my son out of Egypt. (Hosea 11:1)

Her husband Joseph was an honorable man and did not want to disgrace her publicly. So he decided to break the marriage agreement with her secretly. Joseph had this in mind when God's angel appeared to him in a dream. The angel said to him: Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She is pregnant by Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus (Jehovah (YHWH) is salvation), because he will save his people from their sins. read more.
All this happened so that what God spoke through the prophet came true: The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which means: God (God-like one) is with us. (John 1:18) When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of God had commanded him to do. He took Mary to be his wife.

When he was twelve years old they went to the feast of the Passover, as was their custom. When the feast ended they started the return trip. Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem and his parents did not know this. They thought he was in the traveling company. After a day's journey they looked for him among their relatives and friends. read more.
When they could not find him they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers. He was listening and asking them questions. All that heard him were amazed at his understanding. When they saw him they were astonished. His mother said to him: Son, why did you treat us this way? Your father and I have searched for you and we have been worried. He said: Why did you look for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house? They did not understand what he said to them. He went with them to Nazareth. He remained subject to them. His mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

After Herod died God's angel appeared in a dream to Joseph who was in Egypt. The angel told him: Take the child and his mother and go to Israel. Those who tried to kill the child are dead. Joseph took the child and his mother to Israel. read more.
When he heard that Archelaus succeeded his father, Herod, as king of Judea, Joseph feared going. Warned in a dream, he left for Galilee instead. He made his home in Nazareth. Thus the prophecy came true: He [Jesus] will be called a Nazarene.

Following the days of their purification according to the Law of Moses they brought him up to Jerusalem. There they would present him to God. It is written in God's law that every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to God. (Exodus 13:1, 2) According to God's Law they must offer a sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. read more.
There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout. He was waiting for God to save Israel. God's Holy Spirit was working in him. Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would not die before he saw the Christ of God. Under the power of the spirit he came to the temple. The parents brought in the child Jesus, that they obey the custom of the law. He received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: Let your servant depart according to your word in peace. My eyes have seen your salvation. That which you prepared before the peoples. It is a light of revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel. Jesus' father and mother were amazed at the things that were spoken concerning him. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: This child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel and for a sign that is spoken against. A sword will pierce through your mind that the thoughts of many hearts will be disclosed. Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher was a very old prophetess. She had been a widow eighty-four years. She never left the temple. She worshipped and fasted with supplications day and night. Even up to that time she gave thanks to God and spoke to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of God they returned to Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

One time Joseph had a dream. He told his brothers about it and they hated him even more. He said: Please listen to the dream I had. We were all in the field tying up sheaves of wheat. My sheaf got up and stood up straight. Yours formed a circle around mine and bowed down to it. read more.
Do you think you are going to be a king and rule over us? his brothers asked. So they hated him even more because of his dreams and because of what he said about them. Joseph had another dream and told his brothers: I had another dream, in which I saw the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowing down to me. He also told the dream to his father. His father scolded him. What kind of a dream is that? Do you think that your mother, your brothers, and I are going to come and bow down to you? Joseph's brothers were jealous of him. His father kept thinking about the whole matter.

Joseph threw himself on his father. He cried over him, and kissed him. Then Joseph gave orders to embalm his father's body. It took forty days, which is the normal time for embalming. The Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. read more.
When the time of mourning was over, Joseph said to the king's officials: Please take this message to the king: When my father was about to die, he made me promise him that I would bury him in the tomb that he had prepared in the land of Canaan. Please, let me go and bury my father. Then I will come back. The king replied: By all means go and bury your father, as you promised you would. So Joseph went to bury his father. All the king's officials, the senior men of his court, and all the leading men of Egypt went with Joseph. His family, including his brothers, and the rest of his father's family all went with him. Only their small children and their sheep, goats, and cattle stayed in the region of Goshen. Men in chariots and men on horseback also went with him. It was a very large group. They mourned loudly for a long time at the threshing place at Atad east of the Jordan. Joseph performed mourning ceremonies for seven days. The citizens of Canaan saw those people mourning at Atad. They said: What a solemn ceremony of mourning the Egyptians are holding! That is why the place was named Abel-mizraim. Jacob's sons did as he had commanded them. They carried his body to Canaan and buried it in the cave at Machpelah east of Mamre. He was buried in the field Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite for a burial ground. After the funeral, Joseph, his brothers, and everyone else returned to Egypt.

Soon his master's wife began to desire Joseph and asked him to go to bed with her. He refused, and said to her: My master does not have to concern himself with anything in the house, because I am here. He has put me in charge of everything he has. No one in this house is greater than I. He has kept nothing back from me except you. You are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God? read more.
She kept asking Joseph day after day. He refused to go to bed with her or be with her. One day he went into the house to do his work. None of the household servants were there. She grabbed him by his coat and said: Come to bed with me! But he ran outside and left his coat in her hand.

both prisoners, the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt, had dreams one night. Each man had a dream with its own special meaning. Joseph saw that they were upset when he came to them in the morning. He asked these officials of Pharaoh who were with him in his master's prison: Why do you look so unhappy today? read more.
We both had dreams, they answered him, but there is no one to tell us what they mean. Is it not God who can tell what dreams mean? Joseph asked them. Tell me all about them. So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He said: In my dream a grapevine with three branches appeared in front of me. Soon after it sprouted it blossomed. Then its clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh's cup was in my hand. I took the grapes and squeezed them into it. I put the cup in Pharaoh's hand. This is what it means, Joseph said to him. The three branches are three days. In the next three days Pharaoh will release you and restore you to your position. You will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. Remember me when things go well for you. Please do me a favor. Mention me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this prison. I was in fact kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews. And here I have done nothing that they should have put me into the dungeon. When the chief baker saw that he had interpreted favorably, he said to Joseph: I also saw in my dream three baskets of white bread on my head. The top basket contained all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh. The birds were eating them out of the basket on my head. Joseph answered: This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. In three more days Pharaoh will lift up your head from you. He will hang you on a tree, and the birds will eat your flesh off you. It happened on the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday that he made a feast for all his servants. He lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. He restored the chief cupbearer to his office, and he put the cup into Pharaoh's hand. He did indeed hang the chief baker, just as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph. In fact he forgot him.

Two years later Pharaoh had a dream. He dreamed he was standing by the Nile River. Suddenly, seven nice-looking well-fed cows came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds. Seven other cows came up from the river behind them. These cows were sickly and skinny. They stood behind the first seven cows on the riverbank. read more.
The cows that were sickly and skinny ate the seven nice-looking well-fed cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. He fell asleep again and had another dream. Seven heads of grain, full and ripe, were growing on one stalk. Then seven other heads of grain sprouted thin and scorched by the desert wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed the full ones. The king woke up and realized that he had been dreaming. The king was upset the next morning. So he called his magicians and wise men and told them what he had dreamed. None of them could tell him what the dreams meant. The king's chief cupbearer said: Now I remember what I was supposed to do. When you were angry with your chief cook and me, you threw us both in jail in the house of the captain of the guard. One night we both had dreams. Each dream had a different meaning. A young Hebrew, who was a servant of the captain of the guard, was there with us at the time. When we told him our dreams, he explained what each of them meant. Everything happened just as he said it would. I got my job back, and the cook was put to death. So the king sent for Joseph. He was quickly brought out of jail. He shaved, changed his clothes, and went to the king. The king said: I had a dream. No one can explain what it means. I am told that you can interpret dreams. Joseph then answered Pharaoh: I cannot do it myself, but God can give the meaning of your dreams. The king told Joseph: I dreamed as I stood on the bank of the Nile River, I saw seven fat, healthy cows come up out of the river. They began feeding on the grass. Next, seven skinny, bony cows came up out of the river. I have never seen such terrible looking cows anywhere in Egypt. The skinny cows ate the fat ones! Even though they had eaten the fat cows, no one could tell they had eaten them. They looked just as sick as before. Then I woke up. In my second dream I saw seven good, full heads of grain growing on a single stalk. Seven other heads of grain, withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind, sprouted behind them. The thin heads of grain swallowed the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but no one could tell me what it meant. Joseph said to Pharaoh: Pharaoh had the same dream twice. God has told Pharaoh what he is going to do. The seven good cows are seven years. The seven good heads of grain are seven years. It is all the same dream. The seven thin, sickly cows that came up behind them are seven years. The seven empty heads of grain scorched by the east wind are also seven years. Seven years of famine are coming! It is just as I said to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what he is going to do. Seven years are coming when there will be plenty of food in Egypt. Seven years of famine will follow. Then people will forget that there was plenty of food in Egypt. The famine will ruin the land. People will not remember that there was once plenty of food in the land, because the coming famine will be so severe. The reason Pharaoh has had a recurring dream is because the matter has been definitely decided by God. He will do it very soon. Pharaoh should look for a wise and intelligent man and put him in charge of Egypt. Make arrangements to appoint supervisors over the land. Take a fifth of Egypt's harvest during the seven good years. Have them collect all the food during these good years. Store up grain under Pharaoh's control, to be kept for food in the cities. This food will be a reserve supply for our country during the seven years of famine that will happen in Egypt. Then the land will not be ruined by the famine. The king and his officials approved this plan,

Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asharelah the sons of Asaph under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. Verse ConceptsOverseersDirection

Now the first lot came out for Asaph to Joseph, the second for Gedaliah, he with his relatives and sons were twelve.

Every year his parents went to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover. Verse ConceptsFeastingVisitingWorship, Times ForEvery Yearparenthood

They proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. Verse ConceptsTwo DisciplesLeadership Qualities

He asked these officials of Pharaoh who were with him in his master's prison: Why do you look so unhappy today? We both had dreams, they answered him, but there is no one to tell us what they mean. Is it not God who can tell what dreams mean? Joseph asked them. Tell me all about them.

Dear brothers, do not be sad or angry with yourselves that you sold me. God sent me ahead of you to save lives. The famine has been in the land for two years. There will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. God sent me ahead of you to make sure that you would have descendants on the earth, and to save your lives in an amazing way. read more.
It was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me like a father to Pharaoh. He made me lord over his entire household, and ruler of Egypt.

Shallum, Amariah, Joseph.

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So every one went to his hometown to register. read more.
Joseph came from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea to be counted and taxed. He went to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David.

Meanwhile, in Egypt the Midianites sold Joseph to Potiphar, one of the king's officers, who was the captain of the palace guard. Verse ConceptsCaptainsGuardsExecutionersCommerce

People came to Egypt from all over the world to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere. Verse ConceptsBuying and sellingMoney, Uses Of

Pharaoh named Joseph, Zaphenath-paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, as his wife. And Joseph went forth over the land of Egypt. Verse ConceptsMarriage, Restrictions ConcerningChanged NamesPeople Renaming PeopleAuthority Delegated To People

One night we both had dreams. Each dream had a different meaning.

Joseph named his firstborn son Manasseh, because God helped him forget all his troubles and all about his father's family. Verse ConceptsFirstborn SonsForgetting ThingsGod Healing SorrowPeople With Apt NamesFamily ProblemsFamily First

She named him Joseph. She said: May Jehovah give me another son. Verse ConceptsAdding PeoplePeople With Apt Names

Of Malluchi, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph; Verse ConceptsHeads Of Priestly Households

When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of God they returned to Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. Verse ConceptsAccording To ThingsFulfilling The Law

Potiphar turned over everything he had to the care of Joseph. He did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Joseph was well built and good-looking. Verse ConceptsFidelityServants, GoodTrustworthinessBusiness EthicsBeauty, In MenSeeking FoodAuthority Delegated To PeopleHandsome Men

Igal, son of Joseph, from the tribe of Issachar;

Joseph came from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea to be counted and taxed. He went to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David. Verse ConceptsCity Of DavidGod Shows Loving KindnessRelativesNativity of Jesus ChristJesus Birth

Joseph came from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea to be counted and taxed. He went to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David. Verse ConceptsCity Of DavidGod Shows Loving KindnessRelativesNativity of Jesus ChristJesus Birth

God sent me ahead of you to make sure that you would have descendants on the earth, and to save your lives in an amazing way. Verse ConceptsRemnantRescueEscaping EvilSurvivors Of IsraelIndividuals Saving OthersIdentityTaking Care Of The Earthdeliverance

Joseph was a member of the council and a good and righteous man. He was from Arimathaea a city of the Jews and was looking for the kingdom of God.

You have nothing to fear. I will take care of you and your children. So he reassured them with kind words that touched their hearts. Verse ConceptsKindnessKind WordsPeople Providingprovidingreassurance

He kissed all his brothers and wept on them. Afterward his brothers talked with him. Verse ConceptsPeople KissingKissingLove to Others, Examples OfConversation

He kissed all his brothers and wept on them. Afterward his brothers talked with him. Verse ConceptsPeople KissingKissingLove to Others, Examples OfConversation

Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. Verse ConceptsThirtyTravelAuthority Delegated To People

I will put you in charge of my country. All my people will obey your orders. Your authority will be second only to mine. I now appoint you governor over all Egypt. Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand. He clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck. read more.
He had him ride in his second chariot. They proclaimed before him: Bow the knee! Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph: Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

A young Hebrew, who was a servant of the captain of the guard, was there with us at the time. When we told him our dreams, he explained what each of them meant. Verse ConceptsTelling Dreams

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of God had commanded him to do. He took Mary to be his wife. Verse ConceptsBetrothal

Joseph took the child and his mother to Egypt. Verse ConceptsDuring One NightTaking Christ

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of God had commanded him to do. He took Mary to be his wife. Verse ConceptsBetrothal

Then Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right, facing Israel's left, and Manasseh on his left, facing Israel's right, and brought them close to him. But Israel crossed his hands and reached out. He put his right hand on Ephraim's head, although Ephraim was the younger son. He put his left hand on Manasseh's head, although Manasseh was older. Jacob blessed Joseph. He said: May God, in whose presence my grandfather Abraham and my father Isaac walked, may this God who has been my shepherd all my life to this very day, read more.
May the being who rescued me from all evil bless these boys! May they be called by my name and by the names of my grandfather Abraham and my father Isaac. May they have many children on the earth. Joseph saw that his father had put his right hand on Ephraim's head. Joseph did not like it. So he took his father's hand in order to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's. He said to his father: That is not right, Father! This is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head. His father refused and said: I know, Son, I know! Manasseh, too, will become a nation. He, too, will be important. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be more important than he. His descendants will become many nations. That day he blessed them. He said: Because of you, Israel will speak this blessing: 'May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!' In this way Israel put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

and threw Joseph in the same prison where the king's prisoners were kept. While Joseph was in prison, Jehovah helped him and was good to him. He even made the jailer like Joseph so much that he put him in charge of the other prisoners and of everything that was done in the jail. read more.
The jailer did not worry about anything, because Jehovah was with Joseph and made him successful in all that he did.

Two years later Pharaoh had a dream. He dreamed he was standing by the Nile River. Suddenly, seven nice-looking well-fed cows came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds. Seven other cows came up from the river behind them. These cows were sickly and skinny. They stood behind the first seven cows on the riverbank. read more.
The cows that were sickly and skinny ate the seven nice-looking well-fed cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. He fell asleep again and had another dream. Seven heads of grain, full and ripe, were growing on one stalk. Then seven other heads of grain sprouted thin and scorched by the desert wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed the full ones. The king woke up and realized that he had been dreaming. The king was upset the next morning. So he called his magicians and wise men and told them what he had dreamed. None of them could tell him what the dreams meant. The king's chief cupbearer said: Now I remember what I was supposed to do. When you were angry with your chief cook and me, you threw us both in jail in the house of the captain of the guard. One night we both had dreams. Each dream had a different meaning. A young Hebrew, who was a servant of the captain of the guard, was there with us at the time. When we told him our dreams, he explained what each of them meant. Everything happened just as he said it would. I got my job back, and the cook was put to death. So the king sent for Joseph. He was quickly brought out of jail. He shaved, changed his clothes, and went to the king. The king said: I had a dream. No one can explain what it means. I am told that you can interpret dreams. Joseph then answered Pharaoh: I cannot do it myself, but God can give the meaning of your dreams. The king told Joseph: I dreamed as I stood on the bank of the Nile River, I saw seven fat, healthy cows come up out of the river. They began feeding on the grass. Next, seven skinny, bony cows came up out of the river. I have never seen such terrible looking cows anywhere in Egypt. The skinny cows ate the fat ones! Even though they had eaten the fat cows, no one could tell they had eaten them. They looked just as sick as before. Then I woke up. In my second dream I saw seven good, full heads of grain growing on a single stalk. Seven other heads of grain, withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind, sprouted behind them. The thin heads of grain swallowed the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but no one could tell me what it meant. Joseph said to Pharaoh: Pharaoh had the same dream twice. God has told Pharaoh what he is going to do. The seven good cows are seven years. The seven good heads of grain are seven years. It is all the same dream. The seven thin, sickly cows that came up behind them are seven years. The seven empty heads of grain scorched by the east wind are also seven years. Seven years of famine are coming! It is just as I said to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what he is going to do. Seven years are coming when there will be plenty of food in Egypt. Seven years of famine will follow. Then people will forget that there was plenty of food in Egypt. The famine will ruin the land. People will not remember that there was once plenty of food in the land, because the coming famine will be so severe. The reason Pharaoh has had a recurring dream is because the matter has been definitely decided by God. He will do it very soon. Pharaoh should look for a wise and intelligent man and put him in charge of Egypt. Make arrangements to appoint supervisors over the land. Take a fifth of Egypt's harvest during the seven good years. Have them collect all the food during these good years. Store up grain under Pharaoh's control, to be kept for food in the cities. This food will be a reserve supply for our country during the seven years of famine that will happen in Egypt. Then the land will not be ruined by the famine. The king and his officials approved this plan, and he said to them: We will never find a better man than Joseph. He is a man who has God's Spirit in him. The king said to Joseph: God has shown you all this. Therefore it is obvious that you have greater wisdom and insight than anyone else. I will put you in charge of my country. All my people will obey your orders. Your authority will be second only to mine. I now appoint you governor over all Egypt. Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand. He clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck. He had him ride in his second chariot. They proclaimed before him: Bow the knee! Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph: Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

Archers provoked him, shot at him, and harassed him. His bow stayed steady! His arms remained limber because of the help of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, because of the God of your father who helps you, because of the Almighty who blesses you from the heavens above, blessings from the deep springs below the ground, blessings from breasts and womb.

The king said to Joseph: God has shown you all this. Therefore it is obvious that you have greater wisdom and insight than anyone else. Verse ConceptsDiscernment Of GovernorsWisdom, Human NatureUnique IndividualsGod's Things Revealed

Her husband Joseph was an honorable man and did not want to disgrace her publicly. So he decided to break the marriage agreement with her secretly. Verse ConceptsFalse Accusations, Examples OfAdultery and DivorceLove, In RelationshipsQuietnessActing In SecretNot Put To ShamePeople UnwillingActual DivorcesResolving Conflict

Then God remembered Rachel. God listened to her and opened her womb. So she conceived and gave birth to a son. She said: God has taken away my reproach. She named him Joseph. She said: May Jehovah give me another son. read more.
When Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban: Send me away, that I may go to my own place and to my own country.

It was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me like a father to Pharaoh. He made me lord over his entire household, and ruler of Egypt. Verse Conceptsevil, victory overGovernorsRulersPromotionSpiritual FathersGod Sending ProphetsCaused By GodProvidence, Of God In CircumstancesIdentityIdentity In Christ

You must tell my father of my entire splendor in Egypt. Tell him all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here. Verse ConceptsHurrying Others On

Jehovah was with Joseph. Joseph became a successful man. He worked in the house of his Egyptian master. Joseph's master saw that Jehovah was with him. Jehovah made him succeed in everything he did. Potiphar was pleased with him and made him his personal servant. He put him in charge of his house and everything he owned. read more.
Jehovah blessed the Egyptian's household and everything he had in his house and in his fields because of Joseph. Potiphar turned over everything he had to the care of Joseph. He did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Joseph was well built and good-looking. Soon his master's wife began to desire Joseph and asked him to go to bed with her. He refused, and said to her: My master does not have to concern himself with anything in the house, because I am here. He has put me in charge of everything he has. No one in this house is greater than I. He has kept nothing back from me except you. You are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God? She kept asking Joseph day after day. He refused to go to bed with her or be with her. One day he went into the house to do his work. None of the household servants were there. She grabbed him by his coat and said: Come to bed with me! But he ran outside and left his coat in her hand. When she realized that he had gone but had left his coat behind, she called her household servants and said to them: Look! My husband brought this Hebrew here to fool around with us. He came in and tried to go to bed with me. I screamed as loud as I could. When he heard me scream, he ran out of the house, leaving his coat with me. Potiphar's wife kept Joseph's coat until her husband came home. She said: That Hebrew slave of yours tried to rape me! When I screamed for help, he left his coat and ran out of the house. Potiphar became very angry and threw Joseph in the same prison where the king's prisoners were kept. While Joseph was in prison,

The king's chief cupbearer said: Now I remember what I was supposed to do. When you were angry with your chief cook and me, you threw us both in jail in the house of the captain of the guard. One night we both had dreams. Each dream had a different meaning. read more.
A young Hebrew, who was a servant of the captain of the guard, was there with us at the time. When we told him our dreams, he explained what each of them meant. Everything happened just as he said it would. I got my job back, and the cook was put to death. So the king sent for Joseph. He was quickly brought out of jail. He shaved, changed his clothes, and went to the king. The king said: I had a dream. No one can explain what it means. I am told that you can interpret dreams. Joseph then answered Pharaoh: I cannot do it myself, but God can give the meaning of your dreams. The king told Joseph: I dreamed as I stood on the bank of the Nile River, I saw seven fat, healthy cows come up out of the river. They began feeding on the grass. Next, seven skinny, bony cows came up out of the river. I have never seen such terrible looking cows anywhere in Egypt. The skinny cows ate the fat ones! Even though they had eaten the fat cows, no one could tell they had eaten them. They looked just as sick as before. Then I woke up. In my second dream I saw seven good, full heads of grain growing on a single stalk. Seven other heads of grain, withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind, sprouted behind them. The thin heads of grain swallowed the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but no one could tell me what it meant. Joseph said to Pharaoh: Pharaoh had the same dream twice. God has told Pharaoh what he is going to do. The seven good cows are seven years. The seven good heads of grain are seven years. It is all the same dream. The seven thin, sickly cows that came up behind them are seven years. The seven empty heads of grain scorched by the east wind are also seven years. Seven years of famine are coming! It is just as I said to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what he is going to do. Seven years are coming when there will be plenty of food in Egypt. Seven years of famine will follow. Then people will forget that there was plenty of food in Egypt. The famine will ruin the land. People will not remember that there was once plenty of food in the land, because the coming famine will be so severe. The reason Pharaoh has had a recurring dream is because the matter has been definitely decided by God. He will do it very soon. Pharaoh should look for a wise and intelligent man and put him in charge of Egypt. Make arrangements to appoint supervisors over the land. Take a fifth of Egypt's harvest during the seven good years. Have them collect all the food during these good years. Store up grain under Pharaoh's control, to be kept for food in the cities. This food will be a reserve supply for our country during the seven years of famine that will happen in Egypt. Then the land will not be ruined by the famine. The king and his officials approved this plan, and he said to them: We will never find a better man than Joseph. He is a man who has God's Spirit in him. The king said to Joseph: God has shown you all this. Therefore it is obvious that you have greater wisdom and insight than anyone else. I will put you in charge of my country. All my people will obey your orders. Your authority will be second only to mine. I now appoint you governor over all Egypt. Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand. He clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck. He had him ride in his second chariot. They proclaimed before him: Bow the knee! Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph: Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh named Joseph, Zaphenath-paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, as his wife. And Joseph went forth over the land of Egypt. Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. During the seven years of plenty the land produced abundantly. He gathered all the food of these seven years that occurred in the land of Egypt and placed the food in the cities. He placed in every city the food from its own surrounding fields. Thus Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea. He finally stopped measuring it, for it was beyond measure. Before the year of famine came, there were born to Joseph two sons, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him. Joseph named his firstborn son Manasseh, because God helped him forget all his troubles and all about his father's family. He named the second son Ephraim, because God made him fruitful in the land where he had suffered. The seven years when there was plenty of food in Egypt came to an end. The seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in every other country, but there was food throughout Egypt. When the Egyptians became hungry, they cried out to the king for food. So he ordered them to go to Joseph and do what he told them. The famine grew worse and spread over the entire country. Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians. People came to Egypt from all over the world to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.

And God delivered him out of all his afflictions. He gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Pharaoh made him governor over Egypt and his entire house. Verse ConceptsGiving, Of TalentsDiscernment Of GovernorsRescueRulersWisdom, Human ImportanceGod Gives WisdomAfflictions

Meanwhile, in Egypt the Midianites sold Joseph to Potiphar, one of the king's officers, who was the captain of the palace guard. Verse ConceptsCaptainsGuardsExecutionersCommerce

Judah asked his brothers: What will we gain by killing our brother and covering up his death? Let us sell him to the Ishmaelites. Let us not hurt him, because he is our brother, our own flesh and blood. His brothers agreed. Some of the Midianite traders approached. The brothers pulled Joseph out of the well and sold him for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites. They took him to Egypt.

When all the money in Egypt and Canaan was spent, the Egyptians came to Joseph and said: Give us food! Do not let us die. Do something! Our money is all gone. Joseph answered: Bring your livestock. I will give you food in exchange for it if your money is all gone. They brought their livestock to Joseph. He gave them food in exchange for their horses, sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys. That year he supplied them with food in exchange for all their livestock. read more.
The following year they said to him: We will not hide the fact from you, Sir, that our money is all gone and our livestock belongs to you. There is nothing left to give you except our bodies and our lands. Do not let us die. Do something! Do not let our fields be deserted. Buy us and buy our land in exchange for food. We will be the king's slaves. He will own our land. Give us grain to keep us alive and seed so that we can plant our fields. Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for the king. Every Egyptian was forced to sell his land, because the famine was so severe. All the land became the king's property. He [Joseph] removed the people into the cities from one end of the borders of Egypt to the other. The only land he did not buy was the land that belonged to the priests. The king gave the priests an allowance to live on. So they did not have to sell their lands. Joseph said to the people: I have now bought you and your lands for the king. Here is seed for you to sow in your fields. You must give one-fifth to the king at the time of harvest. You can use the rest for seed and for food for yourselves and your families. They answered: You have saved our lives. You have been good to us. We will be the king's slaves. Joseph made it a law for the land of Egypt that one-fifth of the harvest should belong to the king. This law still remains in force today. Only the lands of the priests did not become the king's property.

This is the story of Jacob and his descendants. Joseph was a seventeen-year-old young man. He took care of the flocks with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. Joseph told his father about the bad things his brothers were doing. Verse ConceptsThose Who Kept StockHalf brothersParents Being Wrong

Soon his master's wife began to desire Joseph and asked him to go to bed with her. Verse ConceptsInvitationsLooking At People For EvilOther WivesSexual Union IntendedsexResisting Temptationmistress

Joseph replied to them: Do not be afraid! I cannot take God's place. Even though you planned evil against me, God planned good to come out of it. This was to keep many people alive, as he is doing now.

You have nothing to fear. I will take care of you and your children. So he reassured them with kind words that touched their hearts. Verse ConceptsKindnessKind WordsPeople Providingprovidingreassurance

Her husband Joseph was an honorable man and did not want to disgrace her publicly. So he decided to break the marriage agreement with her secretly. Verse ConceptsFalse Accusations, Examples OfAdultery and DivorceLove, In RelationshipsQuietnessActing In SecretNot Put To ShamePeople UnwillingActual DivorcesResolving Conflict

Joseph of Arimathaea was a prominent council member who also was looking for the Kingdom of God. He boldly approached Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Verse ConceptsBoldness, To PeopleKingdom Of God, Coming OfSanhedrinWaitingWaiting On GodBoldness Examples OfMessianic HopeJesus CorpseNot DiscouragedThose Who Wait For Godrisk

Joseph of Arimathaea was a prominent council member who also was looking for the Kingdom of God. He boldly approached Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Verse ConceptsBoldness, To PeopleKingdom Of God, Coming OfSanhedrinWaitingWaiting On GodBoldness Examples OfMessianic HopeJesus CorpseNot DiscouragedThose Who Wait For Godrisk

and he said to them: We will never find a better man than Joseph. He is a man who has God's Spirit in him. Verse ConceptsFindingThe Spirit Of GodUnique IndividualsExcellence

Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. Verse ConceptsThirtyTravelAuthority Delegated To People