Joseph
Joseph (Hebrew יוֹסֵף: Yosseph = add God, Arabic: يوسف: Yusuf) is one of twelve son of Jacob and the first of two son (Benjamin) by Rachel. He is the father of Ephraim and Manasseh, whose descendants give two of the 12 tribes of Israel, the tribe of Ephraim and the tribe of Manasseh.
Jacob's son Joseph sold by his brothers to the Egyptians
According to the biblical story, Joseph is the favorite son of his father Jacob / Israel. This probably postpones his love for his favorite wife Rachel, died (at the birth of Benjamin), their first son. This preference of the father, manifested in the form of a tunic offered as a gift to his 17 years, leads the jealousy of Joseph's half brothers. Especially that Joseph told them one after the two dreams he does. In the first eleven sheaves of fields (representing eleven half-brothers) bow to the sheaf of Joseph. In the second dream eleven stars (representing eleven half-brothers), the sun (Jacob?) And Moon (Lea?) Prostrate themselves before Joseph. The story of these two dreams only increase the jealousy of the brothers.
One day when Joseph joined his brothers left to graze cattle, the brothers plot against him. The eldest, Reuben, Joseph does not want to be killed. It will rather be stripped and thrown in a pit. Judah offers to sell Joseph to a caravan of Ishmaelites merchants. But Midianite traders who were passing by, pulled Joseph from the citerne.Ils sold him for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt. His brothers are using the shirt and the blood of lamb to believe in the death of Joseph to their father Jacob inconsolable.
The interpretation of dreams
Arriving in Egypt, Joseph is sold as a servant to Potiphar, an officer of the King, He prospers cases of it and quickly became a steward for several years he manages his property. One day, Joseph refuses the advances of Potiphar's wife, she tells her husband when he tried to seduce her. Joseph is sent to prison.
Joseph shares his cell with the master butler and the master baker of Pharaoh. One morning, his two companions wake up having made all a dream. Joseph interprets their dreams. He predicted the master butler is innocent and that he will find his duties with the king: he predicted the master baker he will be beheaded. Three days later, these predictions come true.
See also the summary of the Torah portion Miketz
The master butler remembers Joseph as three years later, when Pharaoh had a dream interpreted in different ways: A magician said that the seven heads and cows representing seven provinces lost and won seven provinces. Yet another said that seven princes will be killed by seven princes, princesses married to seven husbands, kill their seven and seven are killed by their son to be killed by seven princes. The master then tells cupbearer to Pharaoh how Joseph interpreted his dream and asked him to get him out of prison. Joseph said to Pharaoh that the seven heads and cows leases are years of plenty and the seven lean cows and ears are years of famine. He then asked to choose a wise and just to ensure this. Pharaoh said: It is you who worry occupy. I am Pharaoh, but no one in Egypt will not lift his foot without your consent. Joseph in Egypt, surrounded by scrolls Great country and is acclaimed by the crowd.
Became viceroy of Egypt
Joseph married Asenath and two son, Manasseh and Ephraim. After seven years of abundance during which Joseph holds the reserve, famine came over the region and led neighborhood residents to come and stock up in Egypt. Jacob sends all his son, except Benjamin, to buy grain. Joseph recognizes them, but his brothers did not recognize because it has changed significantly with age and he now looks like a viceroy of Egypt. He accused his ten brothers of spying and imprisoned Simeon to force others to return with Benjamin, the last of the brothers. When they return to Egypt, Joseph is excited to see his little brother. He did leave together but placed a cup in Benjamin's sack to accuse them of theft. Judah is dedicated to Benjamin can return to their father. Seeing that his brothers have learned their lesson, Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers, then he forgives them (that God brought me here). He invited his father and his family to settle in Egypt.
"My Uncle Joseph is not dead
But living near the Nile in Egypt
He wears a crown of gold
And holds the keys to all cities."
The day before his death, the heart swelling with joy, Jacob said to Joseph:
"I can die now my son, since I saw you."
Read also
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