THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JOSEPH'S NAME

Are you ready to embark on this transformative journey?

Let's uncover the hidden depths of Joseph's story in the Hebrew Bible. From his colourful robe to his rise to power in Egypt, Joseph's life is intertwined with the concept of "gathering" and "harvesting." Let's explore the profound significance of his name and discover the rich connections to food, livelihood, and the fulfillment of God's vision of unity.

Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel as written in Genesis 35:24, is a vibrant character in the Hebrew Bible. We know that God is with Joseph through the ups and downs of his life, but we do not notice the significance that the Bible assigns to his name. We identify with Jacob's love for Joseph as we imagine him wearing an elaborate and colourful robe; we are shocked by his brother's jealousy and hatred when they sell him into Egyptian slavery, we are upset when he is falsely accused and thrown into Potiphar's jail; and we rejoice in his vindication when Pharaoh appoints him to the highest post in his kingdom. Finally, after Joseph confronts the brothers who betrayed him and reveals his identity amidst an outpouring of emotion, we are moved.

All these important and impactful events become even more significant when we understand that Joseph's name alludes to the idea of "gathering together", so that the biblical figure fulfills God's vision of unity and Shalom.

Joseph's name (yosef) is base on a Hebrew verb that literally means "he takes away".

What can be so significant in the meaning?, Nothing on the surface. But ancient Hebrew is a root - based language and the root of his name is (asaf), which means "to gather, collect, bring in, or assemble."

A keyword with the same root is (asif), meaning "harvest", that which is collected. Joseph's name is related to the idea of "taking away" in a sense of "gathering" (taking the crops away from the field) as occurs in collecting a harvest.

Now ponder the dream of grain sheaves bowing to Joseph (Gen. 37:7) in light of his name's allusion to "gathering" and "harvest". Suddenly, Joseph is "taken away" to Egypt (removed from his homeland). At Potiphar's house, Joseph was put in charge of everything, the "household and field", except the food his master ate.

In jail, Joseph encountered the royal cup bearer and the chief baker, people whose livelihood is directly associated with food and harvest (Gen. 40:1). More, Pharaoh's dream was about the harvest, and as a result of the dream, Joseph was put in charge of Egypt's harvest and future food supply.

Are you beginning to see a common thread running through these stories?

There are so many more connections to the idea of "harvesting" and "gathering" in Joseph's narrative!

In the end, Joseph's brothers come to Egypt because of a famine ( a lack of harvest food) and eventually, the entire family is gathered there. Thus, Joseph's entire life reflects the notion of "gathering" and "harvesting" reflected in his Hebrew name!

Considering the Hebrew terminology that stands behind these stories can help us to see Scripture in new and deeper ways.