JOSEPH (jo'sel), (Heb. 1;1', yo-safe, increaser, adding).
/. Son of Jacob and Rachel, born under peculiar circumstances, as may be seen in Gen. xxx :24 ; on which account, and because he was the son of his old age (xxxvii :3), he was be loved by his father more than were the rest of his children, though Benjamin, as being also a son of Jacob's favorite wife, Rachel, was in a peculiar manner dear to the patriarch. The partiality evinced towards Joseph by his father excited jeal ousy on thc part of his brethren, the rather that they were born of different mothers (xxxvii :2).
(1) Hated by His Brothers. Joseph had reached his seventeenth year, having hitherto been engaged in boyish sports, or aiding in pastoral duties, when some conduct on the part of 'the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives,' seems to have been such as in the opinion of Joseph to require the special attention ot Jacob, to whom, accordingly, he communicated the facts. This regard to virtue, and this mani festation of filial fidelity, greatly increased his brothers' dislike, who henceforth 'hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him' (xxxvii :4). Their aversion, however, was carried to the high est pitch when Joseph acquainted them with two dreams, which appeared to indicate that Joseph would acquire preeminence in the family, if not sovereignty; and while even his fathcr rebuked him, his brothers were filled with envy. Jacob, however, was not aware of the depth of their ill will ; so that on one occasion, having a desire to hear intelligence of his sons, who were pasturing their flocks at a distance, he did not hesitate to make Joseph his messenger for that purpose. His appearing in view of his brothers was the signal for their malice to gain head. They began to devise means for his immediate destruction, which they would unhesitatingly have effected but for his half-brother, Reuben, who, as the eldest son, might well be the party to interfere on behalf of Joseph.
(2) Cast Into a Pit. A compromise was entered into, in virtue of which the youth was stripped of the distinguishing vestments which he owed to his father's affection, and cast into a pit. Having performed this evil deed, and while
they were taking refreshment, the brothers be held a caravan of Arabian mcrchants, who were bearing the spices and aromatic gums of India down to the well-known and much-frequented mart, Egypt. Judah on this feels a bitter emo tion arise in his mind, and proposes that, in stead of allowing Joseph to perish, they should sell him to the merchants, whose trade obviously from this embraced human beings as well as spicery.
(3) Sold Into Slavery. Accordingly the un happy young man was sold for a slave, to be con veyed by his masters into Egypt. While on his way thither, Reuben returned to the pit, intending to rescue his brother, and convey him safely back to their father. Joseph was gone. On which Reuben went to the wicked young men, who, not content with selling a brother into slavery, deter mined to punish their father for his partiality towards the unoffending sufferer. With this view they dipped Joseph's party-colored garment in the blood of a kid and sent it to Jacob, in order to make him believe that his favorite child had been torn to pieces by some wild beast. The trick succeeded, and Jacob was grieved beyond measure.
Meanwhile the merchants sold Joseph to Poti phar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the royal guard, who was a native of the country.
(4) 'Member of Potiphar's Household. In Potiphar's house Joseph enjoyed the highest con fidence and the largest prosperity. The Hebrew race have always been remarkable for personal beauty, of which Joseph seems to have had an unusual share. This fact explains, if it cannot palliate, the conduct of Potiphar's wife, who tried every means to bring the uncontaminated and pure-minded youth to fulfill her unchaste desires. Foiled in her evil wishes, she resolved to punish Joseph, who thus a second time innocently brings on himself the vengeance of the ill-disposed. Charged with the very crime to which he had in vain been tempted, he is, with a fickleness char acteristic of Oriental lords, at once cast into thc state prison.