biography
| biography:
| Biblical character, the subject of many stories (Gen 37–50); the 11th son of Jacob, but the first by his wife Rachel. He is depicted as Jacob's favourite son (marked by the gift of a multicoloured coat) who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, yet who by prudence and wisdom rose from being a servant to high office in Pharaoh's court, with special responsibility for distributing grain supplies during a time of famine. Eventually he is portrayed as reconciled with his brothers, who came to Egypt to escape the famine. His sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, were blessed by Jacob, and became ancestors of two of the tribes of Israel. |
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