The Books of the Bible

And Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all his father’s household with food … Genesis 47:12 The Joseph Story is at the apex of world literature; it is not surpassed in sacred or secular lore. Moreover, the author shows skill as a historian as well, melding historical data together into a powerful and forceful … Read more

Israel had sent Judah ahead to Joseph, [to appear before him] in Goshen. On his arrival in the region of Goshen, Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet his father Israel in Goshen. As soon as Israel made his appearance, Joseph threw his arms around him and wept a long time on his shoulder. … Read more

So they went up from Egypt and came to the land of Canaan, to their father Jacob. When they told him, “Joseph is still alive—in fact, it is he who is governing all the land of Egypt,” he was unmoved, for he did not believe them.  But when they recounted to him all that Joseph had … Read more

“… and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt…”  “You must tell my Father of all my Splendor in Egypt, and all you have seen.”  Genesis 45:8, 13 Our Lord says to every living soul, “I became [human] for you. … Read more

And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; is my father still alive?” But his brothers did not answer, for they were dismayed by his presence. So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, I beg you.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold … Read more

Joseph said to them, “what deed is this you have done?  Do you not know that a man such as I can indeed divine?”  And Judah said, “What shall we say to my Lord?  What shall we speak? Or how can we clear ourselves?  God has found out the guilt of your servant; behold, we … Read more

And Jacob their father said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin; all this has come upon me.” Then Reuben said to his father, “Slay my two sons if I do not bring him back to you; put … Read more

And Joseph’s brothers came, and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground. Joseph saw his brothers, and knew them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them. Genesis 42:6f. I have heard That guilty creatures, sitting at a play, Have by the very cunning of the scene Been struck … Read more

When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?”  And he said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.”  Genesis 42:1f. So easy it is … Read more

… and [Pharaoh] gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On … Joseph had two sons, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s … Read more