The story of joseph and his brothers – यूसुफ और उसके भाइयों की कहानी
The story of Joseph and his brothers is a famous narrative from the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament of the Bible. It is a tale of jealousy, dreams, betrayal, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob (also known as Israel), was his father’s favorite. Jacob gave him a richly ornamented coat, often referred to as the “coat of many colors.”
Joseph had dreams that symbolized his brothers and even his parents bowing down to him. When he shared these dreams with his family, his brothers became jealous, and his father rebuked him but kept the matter in mind.
Out of jealousy and anger, Joseph’s brothers plotted against him. When Joseph came to check on his brothers while they were tending flocks, they seized him, stripped him of his coat, and initially plotted to kill him. Instead, they sold him to a group of Midianite traders who were heading to Egypt.
The brothers dipped Joseph’s coat in goat’s blood and showed it to their father, making him believe that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal.
In Egypt, Joseph was sold as a slave to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials. Joseph excelled in his duties and was eventually put in charge of Potiphar’s household. However, after resisting advances from Potiphar’s wife and being falsely accused of attempting to seduce her, Joseph was imprisoned.
While in prison, Joseph gained a reputation as an interpreter of dreams. He successfully interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker, who were also in prison.
After two years, Pharaoh had two troubling dreams that none of his advisors could interpret. The cupbearer, remembering Joseph, recommended him to Pharaoh. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams as predictions of seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Impressed by Joseph’s wisdom, Pharaoh appointed him as the second-most powerful man in Egypt, tasked with preparing for the coming famine.
During the famine, Joseph’s brothers traveled to Egypt to buy grain. They did not recognize Joseph, but he recognized them.
Joseph tested his brothers’ characters through a series of events, including planting a silver cup in Benjamin’s sack and threatening to keep Benjamin as a slave.
Finally, unable to bear the separation from his family any longer, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers. He forgave them, attributing their actions to God’s plan to save their family from famine.
Joseph invited Jacob and his entire family to live in Egypt, where they were provided for. The story concludes with the family reunited and living in Goshen, Egypt.
The story of Joseph is often seen as a testament to the power of forgiveness and the idea that good can come from evil intentions. It highlights themes of faith, resilience, and God’s providence in difficult circumstances.
This narrative is one of the most detailed and dramatic in the Bible, providing a rich exploration of human relationships and divine purpose.
The story of joseph and his brothers – यूसुफ और उसके भाइयों की कहानी
