Joseph's life in the Bible is a story of faith, trials, and God's plan. Found mainly in Genesis 37–50, his journey shows how God can bring good out of hardship. These facts tell the key moments in Joseph’s life, with scripture to help readers understand each part.
1. Joseph Was Jacob’s Favorite Son
Joseph was the son of Jacob and Rachel. Jacob loved him more than all his other sons and made him a colorful robe.
Genesis 37:3 (NIV):
“Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him.”
This favoritism caused tension among Joseph and his brothers.
Genesis 37:4 (NIV):
“When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.”
2. His Dreams Made His Brothers Jealous
Joseph had two dreams showing his family bowing down to him. He shared them, and it stirred more anger.
Genesis 37:7 (NIV):
“We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”
Genesis 37:9 (NIV):
“Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. ‘Listen,’ he said, ‘I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.’”
3. His Brothers Sold Him Into Slavery
The brothers plotted to kill Joseph but sold him instead.
Genesis 37:28 (NIV):
“So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.”
Psalm 105:17 (NIV):
“He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave.”
4. He Became a Slave in Potiphar’s House
Joseph was sold to Potiphar in Egypt. Even in slavery, God was with him and gave him success.
Genesis 39:2–3 (NIV):
“The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered... When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did…”
Genesis 39:4 (NIV):
“Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant.”
5. He Refused to Sin with Potiphar’s Wife
Joseph chose to honor God even when tempted by Potiphar’s wife.
Genesis 39:7 (NIV):
“After a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, ‘Come to bed with me!’”
Genesis 39:9 (NIV):
“How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”
6. He Was Thrown in Prison for a Crime He Didn’t Commit
Joseph was falsely accused and jailed, but God stayed with him.
Genesis 39:20–21 (NIV):
“Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison… But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.”
7. He Interpreted Dreams in Prison
God gave Joseph the gift of interpreting dreams. He used it to help Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker.
Genesis 40:8 (NIV):
“‘We both had dreams,’ they answered, ‘but there is no one to interpret them.’ Then Joseph said to them, ‘Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.’”
8. He Interpreted Pharaoh’s Dream and Was Promoted
Pharaoh had two troubling dreams. Joseph said they were from God and meant a famine was coming.
Genesis 41:15–16 (NIV):
“Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.’ ‘I cannot do it,’ Joseph replied to Pharaoh, ‘but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.’”
Genesis 41:39–40 (NIV):
“Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has made all this known to you... you shall be in charge of my palace... Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.’”
9. He Forgave His Brothers
Joseph had the chance to take revenge, but he chose grace and mercy.
Genesis 45:4–5 (NIV):
“Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come close to me.’ … ‘I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.’”
Genesis 50:20 (NIV):
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
10. Joseph Trusted God Through It All
Joseph’s life was full of pain, but he never lost faith. God used every moment for His purpose.
Acts 7:9–10 (NIV):
“Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles.”
Romans 8:28 (NIV):
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Summary Table
| Fact | Key Point | Main Bible Verses |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob’s favorite | Genesis 37:3–4 |
| 2 | Dreamer | Genesis 37:7–9 |
| 3 | Sold as a slave | Genesis 37:28, Psalm 105:17 |
| 4 | Servant in Egypt | Genesis 39:2–4 |
| 5 | Refused sin | Genesis 39:7, 39:9 |
| 6 | Wrongly imprisoned | Genesis 39:20–21 |
| 7 | Interpreted dreams | Genesis 40:8 |
| 8 | Promoted by Pharaoh | Genesis 41:15–16, 41:39–40 |
| 9 | Forgave his brothers | Genesis 45:4–5, 50:20 |
| 10 | Trusted God | Acts 7:9–10, Romans 8:28 |
Joseph’s life is full of lessons: how to forgive, how to trust God, and how to remain faithful even in hard times. His story is a great example of how God uses trials to build something greater than we can imagine.
