Bible Characters › Joseph
Who Was Joseph in the Bible?
The short version, the key verse, and three quiz questions to check what you remember.
Joseph was the son with the coat of many colors who rose to rule in Egypt.
Jacob’s favorite son, Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. In Egypt he was falsely accused and imprisoned, then interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams and was put in charge of the land. When famine brought his brothers to Egypt, he forgave them, saying God meant it for good.
Key verse
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.Genesis 50:20 (KJV)
Where to read about Joseph
Genesis 37–50
Quick quiz
1. What did Joseph’s father give him that made his brothers jealous?
A coat of many colours (Genesis 37:3).
2. Whose dreams did Joseph interpret in Egypt?
Pharaoh’s (and earlier the butler’s and baker’s).
3. What did Joseph tell his brothers about their evil plan?
God meant it unto good (Genesis 50:20).