Joseph (Hebrew Bible)

Joseph, in the Hebrew Bible (Christian Old Testament), appears in the Book of Genesis (his name Yosef, Hebrew: יוֹסֵף means "The Lord increases", (Tiberian Hebrew Yôsēp̄), later called Zaphnath-paaneah or Tzáfnat panéach צפנת פענח, Standard Hebrew Ẓáfənat paʿnéaḥ, Tiberian Hebrew Ṣāp̄ənaṯ paʿănēªḥ : Egyptian origin "Discoverer of hidden things"), the eleventh son of Jacob, born of Rachel. He is one of the best-known figures in the Scriptures, famous for his coat of many colours and his God-given ability to interpret dreams. Owing to jealousy from his brothers, he was sold as a slave, eventually working under the Egyptian Potiphar, but was later freed, and became the chief adviser (vizier) to the Egyptian Pharaoh around 1600 BC.

Differences of tradition

There are certain minor points in which the Arabic story differs from the Biblical. In the Qur'an the brothers ask Jacob to let Joseph go with them. In the Arabic story the pit into which Joseph is thrown is a well with water in it, and Joseph escapes by climbing upon a rock. Joseph's face possessed such a peculiar brilliancy that his brothers noticed the different light in the sky as soon as he appeared above the edge of the well, and they came back to claim him as their slave. This same peculiarity was noticeable when they went to Egypt: although it was evening when they entered the city, his face diffused such a light that the astonished inhabitants came out to see the cause of it.

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In the Bible, Joseph discloses himself to his brethren before they return to their father the second time after buying corn. In the Arabic story they are compelled to return to Jacob without Benjamin, and the former weeps himself blind. He remains so until the sons have returned from Egypt a third time, bringing with them Joseph's garment which Gabriel had given him in the well, and which, having come from paradise, healed the patriarch's eyes as soon as he put it to his face. Joseph was buried in the Nile, as there was some dispute as to which province should be honored by having his tomb within its boundaries. Moses was able by a miracle to raise the sarcophagus and to take it with him at the time of the Exodus.

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