Joseph, son of Jacob

Joseph’s father, Jacob, was ninety years old when Joseph was born, and Jacob favored Joseph over all his other sons. The older brothers were jealous and sold Joseph as a slave to a caravan of strangers going to Egypt. They made their father think that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal.

Meanwhile, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an officer of the pharaoh. Joseph proved so trustworthy and skillful that he was given much responsibility. Later he was thrown into prison because Potiphar’s wife lied about him. In prison, Joseph became known as a man who could tell what dreams meant. After he interpreted the dreams of the pharaoh, he became the chief ruler of the land—second to the pharaoh.

Several years later, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy grain. They met Joseph but did not recognize him. Joseph put them through several tests to see if they were still cruel and thoughtless. Their actions showed that they had changed. Joseph then told them who he was and invited them to bring their father and their families to live in Egypt.