Vizier of Egypt in the Hebrew Bible
The Hebrew Bible records that Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob; his father’s favoritism, and his telling his brothers of a dream that he would "rise above them," bred their hatred, and they sold him into slavery in Egypt. In Egypt he was falsely accused and imprisoned, then, for his skill in interpreting dreams, won Pharaoh’s favor and rose to vizier, storing grain through seven years of plenty against famine and opening the storehouses through seven years of famine, saving countless lives — including his own family. To the brothers who had wronged him he said, "you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good" — regarded as a classic expression of the Bible’s theme of suffering and redemption.
Jacob especially favored Joseph and made him a colorful coat, stirring his brothers’ envy. When Joseph told of dreaming that sheaves of grain, and the sun, moon, and stars, all bowed down to him, he angered them further. The brothers contrived to sell him to a passing Midianite caravan, which resold him into Egypt, and deceived their grief-stricken father with the lie that a wild beast had killed him.
In an Egyptian prison Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker, and both came true; he was then called to interpret Pharaoh’s dream — seven fat cattle devoured by seven lean — foretelling seven years of plenty followed by seven of famine. Pharaoh set him over all Egypt’s grain, and by storing against the famine he saved not only Egypt but also the brothers who came from afar to buy grain and there recognized him.
Below are how modern works borrow or reinterpret this name or story — not the original material. The two differ, so keep them apart.
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