ToC | Reading the Old Testament. . . Chapter 2. Genesis 12-50 | ToC

     3. Joseph's Rise to Power (39-41)

Joseph distinguished himself while serving Potiphar, an Egyptian military official. Not only was he a faithful servant, he was handsome; so much that Potiphar's wife made sexual advances. One day Joseph rebuffed her seductions and fled the house. Out of spite she accused him of rape and he was thrown in prison. While in prison he again distinguished himself by his administrative ability and trustworthiness, and when two inmates had dreams he was able to convincingly interpret them.

Joseph Accused by Potiphar's Wife, by Rembrandt (1606-1669)

1655, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC -- CGFA

    Later, when Pharaoh had dreams he could not comprehend, Joseph was brought to court and interpreted the dreams as portents of seven coming years of agricultural abundance, to be followed by seven years of famine. The Pharaoh immediately put him in charge of food production and management, so that the people could prepare for the coming crisis.

Egyptian Parallels. Egyptian literary tradition provides documents with similarities to the Joseph story. "The Story of Two Brothers" (Pritchard 1969: 23-25) has a scene similar to the seduction of Joseph. "The Tradition of Seven Lean Years in Egypt" (Pritchard 1969: 31-32) parallels the famine portion of Pharaoh's dream.
ToC | Reading the Old Testament. . . Chapter 2. Genesis 12-50 | ToC