Yosef/0
Yosef – Overview
Overview
The Yosef narratives extend from Bereshit 37 through the end of the book, providing the reader with significantly more details about Yosef's life, personality, and interactions than any of the other tribes. He progresses on a roller coaster of ups and downs, as his position as favored child morphs into that of degraded slave, then back to head of household, only to revert once more to forgotten prisoner. He finally emerges as second in command to Paroh, paving the way for the family's descent to Egypt.
Throughout, Yosef is a composite of opposites. He is both loved and hated, admired and disdained. He is a dreamer, but capable of facing harsh reality. He is an outsider, who makes it in. He is a man who can control Egypt, but cannot hold in his tears.The various aspects of Yosef's character have invited multiple interpretations throughout centuries of exegesis, often resulting in contrasting portraits of the fascinating figure.
