“Genesis 37–41,” Scripture Helps: Old Testament (2025)
Scripture Helps
Genesis 37–41
Joseph was favored by the Lord and by his father, Jacob, but he was hated and envied by his brothers. Joseph’s brothers sold him to Potiphar in Egypt. The Lord was with Joseph in his afflictions. He prospered in Potiphar’s house until he was wrongly accused and sent to prison. Joseph prospered in prison and interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s chief butler and baker. Joseph then interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh himself, which warned of a coming famine. Pharaoh made Joseph a ruler in Egypt, and Joseph implemented a plan to store food in preparation for the famine.
Resources
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Background and Context
How was Joseph similar to Jesus Christ?
Many aspects of Joseph’s life can remind us of Jesus Christ. The following are some examples:
What was the coat given to Joseph?
The Hebrew word translated as “coat” in the King James Version of the Bible can also refer to a “garment,” “robe,” or “tunic.” Scholars have suggested that the phrase “coat of many colors” might describe a richly embroidered garment that reached to the palms and feet. It is possible that Joseph received this coat to represent his role as Jacob’s birthright son. Joseph’s garment, along with his dreams and his father’s favor, contributed to his brothers’ jealousy of him.
What does the Book of Mormon teach about Joseph’s coat?
In the Book of Mormon, Captain Moroni provided additional information about Joseph’s coat that is not recorded in the Bible. He explained that Joseph’s brothers tore his coat to pieces and that one of the pieces was preserved. Joseph’s father, Jacob, later prophesied that the remaining piece of Joseph’s coat symbolized a remnant of Joseph’s seed who would be preserved by God. The Nephites and Lamanites in the Book of Mormon were a “remnant of the seed of Joseph.” The Lord promised that Joseph’s posterity “should never perish as long as the earth should stand.”
Illustration of Joseph’s brothers taking away his coat, by Sam Lawlor
Why did Jacob rend his coat and put on sackcloth?
People in the Old Testament would often perform traditional acts or signs to express grief. Jacob rent his coat and put on sackcloth when he believed Joseph had died. Sackcloth was a coarse material made of goat or camel hair that was worn during times of mourning or repentance. Wearing sackcloth was often accompanied by the tearing of one’s clothes.
What do we understand about what took place between Judah and Tamar?
Ancient Israelites followed a marriage custom that came to be known as “levirate marriage.” Levir is Latin for “husband’s brother.” According to this customary law, a childless widow was entitled to marry her husband’s next oldest brother or his closest living male relative. Children born in these levirate marriages would be raised on behalf of the woman’s deceased husband and were considered his children, not his living brother’s. Levirate marriages also secured needed support for the widow and an inheritance within the family.
After Tamar’s first two husbands—Judah’s older sons—died, Judah promised her that his third son, Shelah, would be her husband when he was grown. When Judah did not keep this promise, Tamar resorted to deception in order to conceive a child with Judah. Levirate marriage customs would have allowed for Judah himself to marry Tamar if she could not marry any of his sons.
Tamar likely knew that her actions could have serious consequences. When Judah directed that Tamar be burned after he learned that she was pregnant, Tamar used the signet, bracelets, and staff that Judah had given her as evidence that he was the father. Judah admitted his sin and declared, “She hath been more righteous than I.” Tamar’s life was spared and she gave birth to twin sons. Through her son Pharez, Tamar would become an ancestor of Jesus Christ.
How long was Joseph in prison?
Joseph was in prison for two years after he interpreted the dreams of the chief butler and baker. He was sold into slavery when he was about 17, and he was 30 years of age when Pharaoh appointed him to be second-in-command over Egypt. Altogether, he spent about 13 years in Potiphar’s house and in prison. The record does not tell how long Joseph served Potiphar before his imprisonment, but the fact that he worked his way up to be the overseer of the prison implies some period of time before the butler and baker joined him. It is possible that Joseph was in prison for three years or longer.
Joseph of Egypt in Prison, by Jeff Ward
What were kine and corn?
Kine is another word for “cattle,” and the phrase “ears of corn” is used to represent several types of grain, such as wheat and barley.
What was the meaning of Joseph’s Egyptian name?
The Egyptian meaning of the name Zaphnath-paaneah is unclear. Some suggestions for the meaning include “he who reveals that which is hidden” or “the God speaks and lives.”
Learn More
Joseph as a type of Christ
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“Similarities between Joseph of Egypt and Jesus Christ,” Liahona, Mar. 2022, 48
Joseph’s faithfulness amid trials
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Kelly R. Johnson, “The Lord Was with Joseph,” Liahona, Mar. 2022, 44–47
The law of chastity
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Topics and Questions, “Chastity,” Gospel Library
Joseph’s prophecy of famine and plenty
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W. Christopher Waddell, “There Was Bread,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 42–45
Media
Images
Image of Joseph sold into Egypt by William Brassey Hole (1846–1917) William Brassey Hole / Private Collection / © Look and Learn / Bridgeman Images
Joseph Is Sold by His Brothers, by Ted Henninger
Women in Christ’s Line, by Sallie Clinton Poet
Joseph and the Butler and Baker (Joseph Interprets the Pharaoh’s Servants’ Dreams), by Del Parson
Joseph Interpreting the Butler and Baker’s Dreams, by François Gérard
Joseph, the Dream Interpreter, by Kristi Kirisberg Harmon