Joseph's Dreams
A Dreamer Sold Into Slavery by His Own Brothers
Where to find this story in the Bible
The story of Joseph's Dreams is found in Genesis 37:1-36 of the King James Bible (Genesis).
Books: Genesis
Historical & Cultural Context
Joseph was 17 when he received his two prophetic dreams, the favored son of Jacob's old age and Rachel (Jacob's beloved wife). His brothers already resented him because of Jacob's favoritism — symbolized by the 'coat of many colors' (or 'coat with long sleeves,' indicating he was exempt from manual labor). His dreams of sheaves and stars bowing to him inflamed their hatred. Joseph's journey from dreamer to slave to prisoner to ruler of Egypt spans approximately 22 years, demonstrating that God-given visions often require decades of preparation.
Key Characters
Key Verses
Genesis 37:5
"And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more."Read in context
Genesis 50:20
"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."Read in context
The Favored Son
Jacob loved Joseph more than all his other sons and gave him a richly ornamented coat — a visible symbol of favoritism that ignited jealousy among the brothers. At seventeen, Joseph reported their misdeeds to their father and then received two vivid dreams: in the first, his brothers' sheaves of grain bowed to his; in the second, the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed to him. Even his father rebuked him — but quietly kept the matter in mind.
Betrayed by Blood
When Joseph's father sent him to check on his brothers tending flocks at Shechem, they saw him coming from a distance. 'Behold, this dreamer cometh,' they sneered. They plotted to kill him, but Reuben persuaded them to throw him into a pit instead. When Midianite traders passed by, Judah suggested selling Joseph as a slave for twenty pieces of silver. They dipped his coat in goat's blood and told Jacob that a wild animal had killed his beloved son.
The Road to Egypt
Joseph was taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. The brothers thought they had ended the dreamer's visions forever. Instead, they had unknowingly set in motion the very fulfillment of those dreams. Through years of slavery, false accusation, and imprisonment, God was preparing Joseph for a position of power that would save not only Egypt but his own family from famine — the very family that had betrayed him.
Symbolism & Typology
The Sheaves Bowing Down
Joseph's sheaf stood upright while his brothers' sheaves bowed. Grain represents sustenance — Joseph would literally control Egypt's food supply and his brothers would bow before him requesting bread. The dream was literally fulfilled decades later.
The Sun, Moon, and Stars
The sun (Jacob), moon (Rachel/Leah), and eleven stars (brothers) bowing represented Joseph's future authority over his entire family. Even Jacob rebuked him for this dream, yet kept the matter in mind — recognizing it might be from God.
The Coat of Many Colors
Jacob's gift marked Joseph as special — provoking deadly jealousy. Favoritism in families produces fractures. The coat was stripped from Joseph and dipped in blood — the favored son's identity was destroyed before God rebuilt it on a different foundation.
The Pit
Joseph's brothers threw him into an empty cistern — a waterless pit symbolizing death and hopelessness. Yet the pit was a waystation, not a destination. God uses the places where others discard us as the starting point of His greater purpose.
Cross-References
Spiritual Lessons
God's Plans Cannot Be Thwarted by Human Evil
The brothers' hatred, the slave traders' greed, Potiphar's wife's lies — every obstacle became a stepping stone. What humans intend for evil, God repurposes for good.
Favoritism Creates Division
Jacob's blatant favoritism fueled the brothers' resentment. Wisdom in family relationships requires showing love equitably, even when affections differ naturally.
Dreams from God May Take Years to Fulfill
Joseph was seventeen when he dreamed and thirty when he stood before Pharaoh. Thirteen years of suffering separated the promise from the fulfillment. God's timing tests our faith but never wastes our pain.
Discussion Questions
Use these questions for personal reflection, small groups, or family Bible time.
What does the story of Joseph's Dreams teach us about god's plans cannot be thwarted by human evil? How have you seen this truth in your own life?
Favoritism Creates Division: How does this lesson from Joseph's Dreams challenge the way you think or act today?
Put yourself in joseph's position. What would have been the hardest part of this experience? What would have required the most faith?
The theme of this story is "Patriarchs." Where do you see this theme playing out in the world today?
How does this Old Testament story point forward to Jesus and the gospel? What connections can you see?
If you could share one truth from Joseph's Dreams with someone who has never read the Bible, what would it be?
Family Activity Ideas
Bring this story to life with hands-on activities for children and families.
📖 Scripture Memory Challenge
Memorize Genesis 37:5 together as a family this week. Write it on a card, post it on the fridge, and practice saying it each morning. By the end of the week, see who can recite it from memory!
All ages🎭 Act It Out
Have family members take turns acting out different scenes from Joseph's Dreams. Assign roles, create simple costumes from household items, and let everyone participate. After the performance, discuss what each character might have been feeling.
Ages 4–12📝 Story Journal
Give each family member a few minutes to write or draw their favorite part of Joseph's Dreams. Share your entries and discuss what stood out to each person. Keep these pages in a family Bible journal you can look back on.
Ages 5+🍽️ Dinner Table Devotion
At dinner this week, read Genesis 50:20 aloud and ask each person: "What is one thing from the story of Joseph's Dreams that you want to remember?" Let everyone share — even the youngest.
All agesFrequently Asked Questions
Where is the story of Joseph's Dreams in the Bible?
The story of Joseph's Dreams is found in Genesis 37:1-36 of the King James Bible (Genesis).
Where in the Bible is the story of Joseph's Dreams?
You can find the story of Joseph's Dreams in Genesis 37:1-36 (KJV).
Where does the story of Joseph's Dreams start in the Bible?
The story of Joseph's Dreams begins in Genesis 37:1-36. Young Joseph, favored by his father Jacob, receives two prophetic dreams showing his family bowing to him. His jealous brothers sell him into slavery — but God uses their betrayal to position Joseph for the saving of nations.
What were Joseph's two dreams?
In the first dream, Joseph and his brothers were binding sheaves of grain in the field. Joseph's sheaf stood upright while his brothers' sheaves bowed down to it. In the second dream, the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed to Joseph. Both dreams prophetically depicted his future authority over his family — fulfilled when they came to Egypt for grain during the famine.
Why did Joseph's brothers hate him?
Three factors fueled their hatred: (1) Jacob's obvious favoritism, symbolized by the special coat; (2) Joseph's reports of their behavior to their father; and (3) his dreams of their future submission to him. The combination of preferential treatment and prophetic claims was more than they could bear.
How is Joseph a type of Christ?
Joseph is one of the most detailed Old Testament foreshadowings of Jesus: both were beloved sons, betrayed by their own, sold for silver, falsely accused, raised from humiliation to the highest authority, and ultimately saved the very people who rejected them. Joseph's words 'God meant it unto good' perfectly mirror the gospel — the cross was humanity's worst act, yet God's greatest redemption.
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