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Joseph
(16th c. BC)
Other names: Zaphnathpaaneah (Egyptian name)
Biographical
Governor of Egypt
In the Old Testament, Joseph is the eleventh son of the patriarch, Jacob,
by Rachel, and his name was given to a tribe of Israel, of which, he was
its ancestor.
His dramatic story is recounted
in Genesis xxxvii.
Out of favouritism, Joseph's father made him a coat of
many colours, which caused resentment amongst his older brothers.
They seized him at Dothan, north of Shechem,
and threw him into a well. He was later found, and sold
as a slave
to a party of Ishmaelites or Midianites,
who carry him down to Egypt. After various vicissitudes, he gains the
favour of the king of Egypt by the interpretation of a dream, and obtains
a high place in the kingdom. During a great famine, Joseph was able to
acquire grain supplies, which enabled Egypt to survive a famine. Soon,
his brothers arrived to obtain food, and he was reconciled with them.
In the incidents that follow, Joseph
shows his preference for his young brother Benjamin. His father Jacob
is invited to come to Goshen, where a settlement is provided for the family
and their flocks. This is followed many years later by the exodus, the
conquest of Palestine, and the burial of Joseph’s body in the grave
at Shechem which his father had bought.
Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten.
The history of Joseph in Egypt displays some familiarity with the circumstances
and usages of that country, possibly the Egyptian ib rk, has been
otherwise connected with the Assyrian abarakku (a high officer).
An interesting parallel to the story of Joseph in Genesis xxxix. is found
in the Egyptian tale of The Two Brothers, which dates from about
1500 B.C., but the differences are not inconsiderable compared with the
points of resemblance, and the tale has features which are almost universal.
On the theory that the historical elements of Joseph’s history refer
to an official (Yanhamu) of the time of Amenophis III and IV. The Egyptian
names in the story of Joseph are characteristic of the XXII, and subsequent
dynasties.
Place of birth: Canaan
Place of death: Egypt
Place of burial: Egypt, then, centuries later, transferred to Shechem
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