How Many Brothers Did Joseph Have? Exploring the Story and Names of Joseph's Brothers

he story of Joseph is one of the most famous stories in the Bible. It's a story that everyone knows, but not everyone understands. And it's a story that has been told and retold countless times.

Joseph was born to Jacob, who was also known as Israel. Jacob had 12 sons and one daughter, but one day he would have two more sons with his favorite wife, Rachel. The first son was Benjamin and the second son was Dan (Genesis 35:24).

It was Joseph's brothers who sold him into slavery after they found him in bed with their father's wife, Leah (Genesis 37:1-11). After several years of being in Egypt as a slave working for Potiphar (a military officer), Joseph became an important official in Pharaoh's court. While Joseph was still in prison, two other Hebrews were brought before him for trial—one was called Judah, and the other Zaphnath-Paaneah (Genesis 41:45).

Joseph revealed himself to his brothers during a family reunion when he recognized them by their voices (Genesis 45:4). His own brothers did not recognize him until he spoke to them from inside

How Many Brothers Did Joseph Have?

Joseph had eleven brothers. Joseph's father, Jacob and his wife, Leah, had 12 sons. The first 11 were born to Leah, and the last was born to Rachel. The brothers' names were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher and Issachar. Joseph was the son of Rachel and Jacob's favorite son.

Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons because he was his favorite child. He also gave Joseph a special coat of many colors (Genesis 37:3). It is because of this that his brothers hated him so much that they sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:28).

Joseph's story begins when he told his brothers that he had a dream that they would bow down to him like they bowed down to Pharaoh (Genesis 37:8). His brothers hated him even more after this because they thought he was trying to take away their inheritance by telling them what to do with their lives (Genesis 37:11).

Joseph's brothers were jealous of him because their father loved him more than them (Genesis 37:4). They did not want Joseph around anymore so they sold him into slavery for 20 pieces of silver (Genesis 37:27).

Joseph’s Father and Brothers Settle in Goshen

In Egypt, Joseph became second in command under Pharaoh. He interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and saved many lives during a famine by storing grain during good years for use during bad years.

Joseph's brothers came to Egypt seeking food but were afraid to reveal their true identities because they feared Joseph would take revenge on them for selling him into slavery 20 years earlier. They settled in Goshen where they lived quietly until they could safely return home without fear of being recognized by Joseph (Genesis 42:36).

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