08-00

God Saves Joseph and His Family

This title can also be translated as: “About how God took care of Joseph and his family” or “How did God rescue Joseph and his family?”

08-01

Many years later, when Jacob was an old man

This begins a new event. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-newevent/01.md]])

sent

This word means that Jacob told Joseph to go and Joseph went.

his favorite son

This phase refers to a social relationship—the favorite son who was born to him. This could be translated as: “the son he loved more than any of his other children.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-possession/01.md]])

check on

This means that Joseph is to go and see if everything is all right with his brothers. Some languages might say something like: “to see about his brothers’ well-being.”

his brothers

These were Joseph’s older brothers.

were taking care of the flocks

Since this was several days’ journey away, it may be necessary to say: “who were far away taking care of…”

08-02

because their father loved him most and because Joseph had dreamed

The word because connects the two reasons Joseph’s brothers hated him (their father loved him most and Joseph’s dream), with the result (they hated him). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

When Joseph came

The word When indicates the order of events. After Joseph came the brothers took him captive and sold him. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential/01.md]])

came to his brothers

Another way this could be translated is: “reached the place where his brothers were.”

took him captive

They took him against his will. It was not right for them to do this.

slave traders

These were people who made a business of buying people from one owner and selling them as slaves to another owner.

08-03

Before Joseph’s brothers returned home

The connecting word Before indicates the order of events. Joseph’s brothers tore his robe and dipped it in blood. Then they returned home. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential/01.md]])

goat’s blood

This connects the blood with the goat, of which it was a part. The brothers wanted Jacob to think that the blood on the clothes was Joseph’s blood. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-possession/01.md]])

so he would think that a wild animal

The connecting word so connects the reason (showing Jacob the torn robe dipped in blood), with the desired result (Jacob thinking a wild animal killed Joseph). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

08-04

Egypt was a large, powerful country located along the Nile River.

This is background information about the country of Egypt where the slave traders took Joseph. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-background/01.md]])

a wealthy government official

This was a person who was part of the Egyptian government. Another way to say this would be: “a leader in Egypt’s government.”

Joseph served his master well, and God blessed Joseph.

The connecting word and indicates two events that happened when Joseph became a slave. There is no indication of cause and effect. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential/01.md]])

08-05

tried to sleep with Joseph

Another way to say this would be: “tried to seduce Joseph to have sex with her.” To sleep with is a way of expressing this in order not to be crude or offensive. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-euphemism/01.md]])

but Joseph refused to sin against God

The connecting word but indicates a contrast. You would expect that when Joseph’s master’s wife tried to sleep with him, Joseph would agree, but instead he did the unexpected and refused. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast/01.md]])

sin against God

It is against God’s law for people to have sex together if they are not married to each other. Joseph did not want to sin by disobeying God’s law.

Even in prison

The connecting word Even indicates a contrast. You would expect Joseph to become bitter in prison but, instead, he continued to be faithful and God continued to bless him. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast/01.md]])

remained faithful to God

Another way to say this would be: “continued to obey God.”

08-06

which is what the Egyptians called their kings

This is background information about the title, Pharaoh. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-background/01.md]])

disturbed him greatly

This means that the king felt very afraid and confused (because of what he had seen in the dreams).

None of his advisors could tell him the meaning of the dreams.

The interpretation of dreams was important in the ancient Near East. It was seen as possible only through divine power. This can be clearly stated: “God did not enable any of his advisors to tell him the meaning of the dreams..’” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-explicit/01.md]])

his advisors

These were men with special powers and knowledge who could sometimes tell what dreams meant. Some translations refer to them as wise men.

the meaning of the dreams

People in Egypt believed that dreams were messages from the gods telling them about what would happen in the future. God used Pharaoh’s dreams to tell him what would happen.

08-07

God had given Joseph the ability to interpret dreams

Yahweh gave Joseph the power to interpret dreams in order to bring himself glory and to protect Joseph and the Hebrew people. This can be clearly stated: “God had given Joseph the ability to interpret dreams in order to protect Joseph and the Hebrew people.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-explicit/01.md]])

to interpret dreams

To interpret is to tell what something means. So Joseph was able to tell people what their dreams meant.

had Joseph brought to him

Another way to say this would be: “ordered his servants to bring Joseph to him.”

and said, “God is going to send seven years of plentiful harvests followed by seven years of famine.”

This is direct quotation. It can also be stated as an indirect quotation: “and told him that God was going to send seven years of plentiful harvests followed by seven years of famine.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])

God is going to send

God will cause the crops to grow well for seven years, and after that he will cause them to produce very little food so that the people and animals will not have enough to eat.

famine

The gardens and fields would produce so little food that people and animals would not have enough to eat.

08-08

was so impressed with Joseph

Pharaoh was amazed by Joseph’s wisdom and felt respect for him; he trusted Joseph to make wise decisions that would benefit the people. It may be clearer to say: “impressed with Joseph’s wisdom.”

he appointed him to be the second most powerful man in all of Egypt!

This is a strong statement that emphasizes how unusual it was for a slave to be so honored by the Pharaoh. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])

the second most powerful man

Pharaoh made Joseph a very powerful and important ruler over all of Egypt. Only Pharaoh was more powerful and important than Joseph.

08-09

to store up large amounts of food

From the abundant harvests, they took food to the cities and stored it there. The food then belonged to Pharaoh.

famine

See how you translated this in 08:07.

08-10

The famine was severe

The famine was very bad. There was very little food and many people outside of Egypt were starving.

Egypt, but also in Canaan

For some languages, it may be clearer or more natural to say: “the country of Egypt, but also in the land of Canaan.”

08-11

So, Jacob sent his older sons to Egypt to buy food.

The connecting word So connects the result (Jacob send his sons to buy food), with the reason (the famine was bad in Canaan). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

his older sons

These were Joseph’s older brothers who had sold him into slavery.

did not recognize Joseph

They did not know that the man was Joseph, because now Joseph was much older than when they last saw him, and he was dressed as an Egyptian ruler.

But Joseph recognized them.

The connecting word But indicates a contrast relationship. It contrasts Joseph’s brothers not recognizing him with Joseph recognizing them. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast/01.md]])

08-12

After testing his brothers

The connecting word After begins a sequential clause. Joseph tested his brothers to see if they had changed and then he revealed who he was. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential/01.md]])

testing his brothers

Joseph placed his older brothers in a difficult situation to see if they would protect their youngest brother or treat him as badly as they had treated Joseph. When they protected their youngest brother, Joseph knew they had changed.

if they had changed

Another way to say this would be: “if they were different than they used to be.” Years ago Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. Joseph wanted to find out if they would now do what was right.

I am your brother, Joseph!

This is a strong statement that Joseph was indeed their brother, even though he knew they would find it very difficut to believe that. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])

Do not be afraid

Joseph gave this command to his brothers who were afraid because they had greatly wronged Joseph. Now, as a great ruler, he had the power to punish them. Joseph could refuse to sell them food, or could even put them in prison or kill them. Another way to say this would be: “You do not need to fear any punishment from me.”

but God used the evil for good!

The connecting word but contrasts Joseph’s brother’s desire to do evil to God’s using it for good. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast/01.md]])

God used the evil for good!

This is a strong statement, because it is surprising that God was able to cause good to happen from the evil thing the brothers did to Joseph. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])

evil for good

Joseph’s brothers did an evil thing when they sold Joseph as a slave and he was taken to Egypt. But God allowed this so that Joseph could save thousands of people, including his own family, from starving during the famine. This was a very good thing.

08-14

Even though Jacob was an old man, he moved to Egypt

Egypt was a great distance away from Canaan, and it would have been difficult for an elderly man to walk or ride a cart that far.

Before Jacob died

Jacob died in Egypt. He did not get to return to Canaan, the land God had promised to give to him and his descendants.

08-15

The covenant promises

Long ago God made an agreement with Abraham and promised him that he would give him many descendants; they would possess the land of Canaan and become a great nation. God also promised that all peoples would be blessed through Abraham’s line (See: 07:10).

were passed on to

Other ways to say this are: “passed down to” or “given to” or “applied to.” God’s promise to Abraham was also for Abraham’s children, grandchildren and all the rest of his descendants (See: 06:04).

the 12 tribes of Israel

God had promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that their descendants would become a great nation. God later changed Jacob’s name to Israel. The descendants of Jacob’s 12 sons became 12 great tribes. These 12 tribes made up the ancient nation called Israel, which was named by Jacob’s new name. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-names/01.md]])

12

This could also be written in words: “twelve.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-numbers/01.md]])

A Bible story from

These references may be slightly different in some Bible translations.