BIBL 410
WEEKLY STUDY QUESTIONS 8
Joseph
Answer thoroughly the following questions based on this module/week’s Reading & Study
material:
1. T/F—The rest of Genesis is devoted solely to Joseph. Explain your answer. (FALSE)The
story of Joseph is regarded as among the best short stories of the world because of its
“dramatic movement, its brilliant color, its play of all the elemental passions, and its
abiding human interest...."[4] Apart from the episode involving Judah and Tamar (chapter
38) and Jacob’s farewell blessing (chapter 49), the rest of Genesis is devoted to Joseph’s
life. (Davis, Page 262).
2. Describe in detail Jacob’s gift to Joseph and the implications of the gift.
His gift to Joseph of a “coat of many colours” (ketonet passim), a further evidence of his
preference for Joseph, caused the brothers to hate Joseph even more. The expression
ketonet passim has been translated three principal ways: “a coat of many colors,” “a
long-sleeved robe,” and “an ornamented tunic.” Davis (2017). (p. 263)
3. What was the basic theme of Joseph’s dreams?
The dreams of Joseph, like those of Abimelech (20:3), Jacob (28:12ff.; 31:11), and Laban
(31:24), were divinely inspired, but unlike them his was filled with symbolism. So were
those of the baker, the butler, and Pharaoh. In Joseph’s first dream (v. 7) he and his
brothers were binding sheaves in the field, and his brothers’ sheaves “made obeisance” to
Joseph’s. The meaning of the dream was obvious to Joseph’s brothers (v. 8). In his second
dream the personification of natural elements is extended to the sun and moon. They, too,
bowed down to Joseph, making him supreme even over his parents (v. 9). When his
father heard the dreams, he was astonished and rebuked Joseph (v. 10). His brothers
reacted even more strongly (v. 11). Davis (2017). (p. 264)
4. What is the irony found in the coat dipped in goat’s blood? They did this to deceive
Jacob- He apparently helped his brothers stain Joseph’s coat with the blood of a goat (v.
31). When the coat was shown to Jacob, he immediately went into mourning for his son,
thinking he had been killed by a wild animal (vv. 32-35). There is a touch of irony here:
Jacob, who had deceived his father with a goat’s skin, was deceived by his sons with
goat’s blood. [John J. Davis (2017). (p. 264). Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis.
Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com]
This study source was downloaded by 100000808701186 from CourseHero.com on 06-18-2022 20:10:22 GMT -05:00
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, BIBL 410
5. List the several views of Joseph’s date of entrance into Egypt—which one is the most
compatible with Scripture and why?
H. H. Rowley and Gordon place Joseph’s arrival in Egypt after 1400 b.c
The majority of scholars place it in the Hyksos period (ca. 1730-1570 b.c.
Some place it in the 1800s b.c.. during the Middle Kingdom period,[23] and specifically
during the reign of Sesostris III (Senusert III, Twelfth Dynasty, during the Middle
Kingdom period,[23] and specifically during the reign of Sesostris III (Senusert III,
Twelfth Dynasty).[24]
The third view is most compatible with scriptural data. According to I Kings 6:1 the
exodus from Egypt took place 480 years before the fourth year of Solomon.
The fourth year of Solomon is usually regarded as about 966 b.c.., meaning that the
exodus occurred approximately 1446-45 b.c.. The Egyptian sojourn was 430 years long
(Exod. 12:40), so it began approximately 1875 b.c.. This synchronizes with the dates
normally accepted for the reign of Sesostris III: 1878-43 b.c..[25]
Davis Page, 266
6. What were Joseph’s two reasons for refusing Potiphar’s wife?
Joseph’s reasons for refusing Potiphar’s wife were two: he wished to be faithful to his
master, who had helped him (v. 8); and, even more important, he wished to be faithful to
God (v. 9). [John J. Davis (2017). (p. 270). Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis.
Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com]
7. What position did Joseph hold in the royal court?
He appears to have been vizier (prime minister).[45 ]Pharaoh said that "only in the throne will I
be greater than thou” (v. 40) and made Joseph ride “in the second chariot” (v. 43). Pharaoh gave
Joseph jurisdiction over “all the land of Egypt” (v. 41), a fact which is repeated many times (cf.
41:43, 44, 46, 55; 42:6; 45:8). Thutmose III gave his newly-appointed vizier the same when he
charged him: “Look thou to this office of vizier. Be vigilant over everything that is done in it.
Behold, it is the support of the entire land. Behold, as to the vizierate, behold, it is not sweet at
all, behold, it is bitter as gall...."[46] Finally, Pharaoh gave Joseph the royal seal (v. 42), with
which Joseph could transact affairs of state in the name and with the authority of the crown.
Joseph’s clothing and jewelry (v. 43) accord well with numerous Egyptian paintings. His
“vestures of fine linen” must have been similar to the clothes worn by Rekh-mi-Re when he was
appointed vizier: [John J. Davis (2017). (p. 276). Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis.
Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com]
8. What were Joseph’s tests of his brothers intended to do?
Determining Joseph’s real motive in testing his brothers is most difficult. Most scholars have felt
that Joseph was not being vindictive but was engaged merely in official probing and testing.[57]
However, Joseph’s manner, coupled with the numerous tests through which he put his brothers,
gives the distinct impression that he was humbling his previously arrogant brothers (vv. 6-14).
[John J. Davis (2017). (p. 279). Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis. Retrieved from
https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com] . He accused them of spying (v. 9), a serious charge
punishable by death. To test their claim of innocence, Joseph demanded that they bring to him
This study source was downloaded by 100000808701186 from CourseHero.com on 06-18-2022 20:10:22 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/73272078/101520Weekly-Study-Questions-8docx/
WEEKLY STUDY QUESTIONS 8
Joseph
Answer thoroughly the following questions based on this module/week’s Reading & Study
material:
1. T/F—The rest of Genesis is devoted solely to Joseph. Explain your answer. (FALSE)The
story of Joseph is regarded as among the best short stories of the world because of its
“dramatic movement, its brilliant color, its play of all the elemental passions, and its
abiding human interest...."[4] Apart from the episode involving Judah and Tamar (chapter
38) and Jacob’s farewell blessing (chapter 49), the rest of Genesis is devoted to Joseph’s
life. (Davis, Page 262).
2. Describe in detail Jacob’s gift to Joseph and the implications of the gift.
His gift to Joseph of a “coat of many colours” (ketonet passim), a further evidence of his
preference for Joseph, caused the brothers to hate Joseph even more. The expression
ketonet passim has been translated three principal ways: “a coat of many colors,” “a
long-sleeved robe,” and “an ornamented tunic.” Davis (2017). (p. 263)
3. What was the basic theme of Joseph’s dreams?
The dreams of Joseph, like those of Abimelech (20:3), Jacob (28:12ff.; 31:11), and Laban
(31:24), were divinely inspired, but unlike them his was filled with symbolism. So were
those of the baker, the butler, and Pharaoh. In Joseph’s first dream (v. 7) he and his
brothers were binding sheaves in the field, and his brothers’ sheaves “made obeisance” to
Joseph’s. The meaning of the dream was obvious to Joseph’s brothers (v. 8). In his second
dream the personification of natural elements is extended to the sun and moon. They, too,
bowed down to Joseph, making him supreme even over his parents (v. 9). When his
father heard the dreams, he was astonished and rebuked Joseph (v. 10). His brothers
reacted even more strongly (v. 11). Davis (2017). (p. 264)
4. What is the irony found in the coat dipped in goat’s blood? They did this to deceive
Jacob- He apparently helped his brothers stain Joseph’s coat with the blood of a goat (v.
31). When the coat was shown to Jacob, he immediately went into mourning for his son,
thinking he had been killed by a wild animal (vv. 32-35). There is a touch of irony here:
Jacob, who had deceived his father with a goat’s skin, was deceived by his sons with
goat’s blood. [John J. Davis (2017). (p. 264). Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis.
Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com]
This study source was downloaded by 100000808701186 from CourseHero.com on 06-18-2022 20:10:22 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/73272078/101520Weekly-Study-Questions-8docx/
, BIBL 410
5. List the several views of Joseph’s date of entrance into Egypt—which one is the most
compatible with Scripture and why?
H. H. Rowley and Gordon place Joseph’s arrival in Egypt after 1400 b.c
The majority of scholars place it in the Hyksos period (ca. 1730-1570 b.c.
Some place it in the 1800s b.c.. during the Middle Kingdom period,[23] and specifically
during the reign of Sesostris III (Senusert III, Twelfth Dynasty, during the Middle
Kingdom period,[23] and specifically during the reign of Sesostris III (Senusert III,
Twelfth Dynasty).[24]
The third view is most compatible with scriptural data. According to I Kings 6:1 the
exodus from Egypt took place 480 years before the fourth year of Solomon.
The fourth year of Solomon is usually regarded as about 966 b.c.., meaning that the
exodus occurred approximately 1446-45 b.c.. The Egyptian sojourn was 430 years long
(Exod. 12:40), so it began approximately 1875 b.c.. This synchronizes with the dates
normally accepted for the reign of Sesostris III: 1878-43 b.c..[25]
Davis Page, 266
6. What were Joseph’s two reasons for refusing Potiphar’s wife?
Joseph’s reasons for refusing Potiphar’s wife were two: he wished to be faithful to his
master, who had helped him (v. 8); and, even more important, he wished to be faithful to
God (v. 9). [John J. Davis (2017). (p. 270). Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis.
Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com]
7. What position did Joseph hold in the royal court?
He appears to have been vizier (prime minister).[45 ]Pharaoh said that "only in the throne will I
be greater than thou” (v. 40) and made Joseph ride “in the second chariot” (v. 43). Pharaoh gave
Joseph jurisdiction over “all the land of Egypt” (v. 41), a fact which is repeated many times (cf.
41:43, 44, 46, 55; 42:6; 45:8). Thutmose III gave his newly-appointed vizier the same when he
charged him: “Look thou to this office of vizier. Be vigilant over everything that is done in it.
Behold, it is the support of the entire land. Behold, as to the vizierate, behold, it is not sweet at
all, behold, it is bitter as gall...."[46] Finally, Pharaoh gave Joseph the royal seal (v. 42), with
which Joseph could transact affairs of state in the name and with the authority of the crown.
Joseph’s clothing and jewelry (v. 43) accord well with numerous Egyptian paintings. His
“vestures of fine linen” must have been similar to the clothes worn by Rekh-mi-Re when he was
appointed vizier: [John J. Davis (2017). (p. 276). Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis.
Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com]
8. What were Joseph’s tests of his brothers intended to do?
Determining Joseph’s real motive in testing his brothers is most difficult. Most scholars have felt
that Joseph was not being vindictive but was engaged merely in official probing and testing.[57]
However, Joseph’s manner, coupled with the numerous tests through which he put his brothers,
gives the distinct impression that he was humbling his previously arrogant brothers (vv. 6-14).
[John J. Davis (2017). (p. 279). Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis. Retrieved from
https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com] . He accused them of spying (v. 9), a serious charge
punishable by death. To test their claim of innocence, Joseph demanded that they bring to him
This study source was downloaded by 100000808701186 from CourseHero.com on 06-18-2022 20:10:22 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/73272078/101520Weekly-Study-Questions-8docx/
