Who was Joseph in the Bible?

Joseph, son of Israel

Joseph was the eleventh son of Israel (or 'Jacob') and the firstborn of Rachel (Gen.30.22-24). He was favored by his father, causing jealousy among his brothers (Gen.37.3-4). Joseph had dreams of his family bowing down to him, further straining the relationships (Gen.37.5-11). His brothers sold him into slavery, and he was taken to Egypt (Gen.37.12-36). In Egypt, Joseph served in Potiphar's house, where he was falsely accused and imprisoned (Genesis 39). While in prison, Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker (Genesis 40). Later, he interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and was appointed as second-in-command over Egypt (Gen.41.1-45). During this time, he was given the name Zaphenath-paneah by Pharaoh (Gen.41.45). Joseph managed Egypt's resources wisely during the years of plenty and famine (Gen.41.46-57). His brothers came to Egypt for food, and after testing them, Joseph revealed his identity and reconciled with them (Genesis 42-45). Joseph brought his father, Jacob, and his entire family to Egypt, where they settled in the land of Goshen (Genesis 46-47). Before his death, Jacob blessed Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, and prophesied about Joseph's descendants (Genesis 48-49). Joseph died at the age of 110 and was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt (Gen.50.22-26). His bones were later carried out of Egypt by the Israelites during the Exodus and buried at Shechem (Exo.13.19; Jos.24.32). Joseph's life exemplified faith, forgiveness, and God's providence in the midst of hardship.

Joseph, husband of Mary

Joseph was the husband of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus Christ. He was a descendant of David (Mat.1.16, 20; Luk.1.27; 2.4) and lived in Nazareth (Luk.2.4). Joseph was betrothed to Mary when she was found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit (Mat.1.18; Luk.1.27). Being a righteous man, he planned to divorce her quietly, but an angel appeared to him in a dream, telling him to take Mary as his wife and name the child Jesus (Mat.1.19-21, 24-25). Joseph obeyed and took care of Mary and Jesus. He was present at Jesus' birth in Bethlehem (Luk.2.4-7, 16) and later took his family to Egypt to escape Herod's persecution (Mat.2.13-15, 19-23). Joseph is last mentioned in the Gospels when Jesus was 12 years old, and the family visited Jerusalem for the Passover (Luk.2.41-51). He is referred to as Jesus' father (Luk.2.33, 48; 4.22; Jhn.1.45; 6.42) and was a carpenter by trade (Mat.13.55). Joseph is not mentioned during Jesus' adult ministry, suggesting he may have died before that time.

14 verses: John 6:42, Luke 1:27, Luke 2:4, Luke 2:16, Luke 3:23, Luke 4:22, Matthew 1:16, Matthew 1:18, Matthew 1:19, Matthew 1:20, Matthew 1:24, Matthew 2:13, and more

Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.

Joseph of Arimathea

Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy and prominent member of the Jewish council (Mat.27.57; Mrk.15.43). He was a disciple of Jesus but secretly out of fear of the Jewish leaders (Jhn.19.38). Joseph is described as a good and righteous man who had not consented to the council's decision to condemn Jesus (Luk.23.50-51). After Jesus' crucifixion, Joseph boldly asked Pilate for Jesus' body (Mrk.15.43; Jhn.19.38). He took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb, which had been cut out of rock (Mat.27.59-60; Mrk.15.46; Luk.23.53). The tomb was then sealed with a large stone (Mat.27.60). Joseph's actions fulfilled the prophecy that the Messiah would be buried with the rich (Isa.53.9). His selfless act provided a proper burial for Jesus and demonstrated his devotion and respect for the Lord.

6 verses: John 19:38, Luke 23:50, Matthew 27:57, Matthew 27:59, Mark 15:43, Mark 15:45

Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.

Where does Joseph appear in the Bible?

Joseph is referenced in 208 verses across 21 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.

• 1 Chronicles 2:2
• 1 Chronicles 5:1
• 1 Chronicles 5:2
• 1 Kings 11:28
• 2 Samuel 19:20
• Acts 7:9
• Acts 7:13
• Acts 7:14
• Acts 7:18
• Amos 5:6
• Amos 5:15
• Amos 6:6
• Deuteronomy 27:12
• Deuteronomy 33:13
• Deuteronomy 33:16
• Exodus 1:5
• Exodus 1:6
• Exodus 1:8
• Exodus 13:19
• Ezekiel 37:16
• Ezekiel 37:19
• Ezekiel 47:13
• Ezekiel 48:32
• Genesis 30:24

What else appears in these passages?

These turn up in the same passages as Joseph.