Sold into Slavery

Joseph was seventeen and helped his brothers care for the flocks. Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because he was born in his old age, and made him a special coat. His brothers hated him and could not speak kindly to him.

Joseph dreamed that his brothers' sheaves of grain bowed to his sheaf. He dreamed again that the sun, moon and eleven stars bowed to him. His brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers near Shechem. They saw him coming and said, Behold, this dreamer comes. They plotted to kill him, but Reuben said, Let's not take his life, and they threw him into an empty pit. Judah said, What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, and let's sell him. They sold Joseph for twenty pieces of silver to traders going to Egypt. They dipped his coat in goat's blood, and Jacob believed a wild animal had killed Joseph. Jacob mourned many days. In Egypt Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh.