Joseph sold into slavery, by James Tissot (1836-1902).

By James Tissot (1832-1902). Public domain. Source
Bible Readings

The Story of Joseph

The story of Joseph, from his coat of many colours and his brothers’ envy, to his career as Pharaoh’s trusted minister, and his last farewell to his father.

Introduction

The closing chapters of Genesis follow the turbulent career of Jacob’s son Joseph. Joseph was left for dead by his envious brothers, and trafficked to Egypt, where he rose to become Pharaoh’s must trusted minister. It was Joseph who then brought the children of Israel, that is, his bothers and their families, into Egypt, not knowing of course that over time their descendants would fall from favour and become Pharaoh’s slaves.

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1

Joseph’s Coat of Many Colours

Genesis 37:1-4

And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.

2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.

3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.

4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

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