The Bible In Paintings: JOSEPH'S BROTHERS IN EGYPT

[Hebrews 11:6]

The Bible In Paintings 2
Engravings•Facades•Frescoes•Illuminations•Miniatures•Mosaics•Photographs•Reliefs•Sculptures•Tapestries•Windows

G E N E S I S
CHAPTERS 42-47

When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.” But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, because he was afraid that harm might come to him.

1
ADOLPHE ROGER
"Jacob Refusing to Let Benjamin Go to Egypt"

2
THÉOPHILE VAUCHELET
"Jacob Refusing to Surrender Benjamin"

Now Joseph was the one who sold grain. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. Joseph said to them, “If you are honest men, let one of you stay here in prison, while the rest of you take grain back for your starving households. But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified.”

3
JAMES TISSOT
"Joseph Dwells in Egypt"

4
BALTHASAR BESCHEY
"The Brothers Try to Buy Corn from Joseph, the Vice-Roy of Egypt"

Now the famine was still severe in the land. So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food. Take your brother also and go back to the man at once. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”

So the men took Benjamin. They hurried down to Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph. As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph went into his private room and wept there.

After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, “Serve the food.” So they feasted and drank freely with him.

Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: “Put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.”

Then the steward proceeded to search. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. At this, they tore their clothes. Then they all loaded their donkeys and returned to the city.

5
ALEXANDER IVANOV
"Joseph's Brothers Find the Silver Goblet in Benjamin's Sack"

6
PHILIP DE VERE
"Joseph's Cup Found in Benjamin's Sack"

7
JAMES TISSOT
"The Cup Found"

8
CLAES CORNELISZOON MOEYAERT
"Joseph's Steward Finds the Cup in Benjamin's Sack"

Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him. Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because IT WAS TO SAVE LIVES THAT GOD SENT ME AHEAD OF YOU. GOD SENT ME AHEAD OF YOU TO PRESERVE FOR YOU A REMNANT ON EARTH AND TO SAVE YOUR LIVES BY A GREAT DELIVERANCE. SO THEN, IT WAS NOT YOU WHO SENT ME HERE, BUT GOD.

Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay.”

Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.

9
OWEN JONES
"Joseph Weeps"

10
FRANZ ANTON MAULBERTSCH
"Joseph and His Brothers"

11
"Joseph Makes Himself Known to His Brethren"

12
ADOLF HULT
"Joseph Making Himself Known"

13
LÉON PIERRE URBAIN BOURGEOIS
"Joseph Recognized by His Brothers"

14
CHARLES THÉVENIN
"Joseph and His Brothers"

15
CHARLES THEVENIN
"Joseph Recognized by His Brothers"

16
GERARD HOET
"Joseph Makes Himself Known to His Brethren"

17
GERBRAND VAN DEN EECKHOUT
"Joseph and His Brothers"

18
WILLIAM BLAKE
"Joseph Making Himself Known to His Brethren"

19
JAMES TISSOT
"Joseph Makes Himself Known to His Brethren"

20
CHARLES MEYNIER
"Joseph Recognized by His Brothers"

21
FRANÇOIS PASCAL SIMON GÉRARD
"Joseph Recognised by His Brothers"

22
GUSTAVE DORÉ
"Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers"

23
PETER VON CORNELIUS
"Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers"

24
JEAN-CHARLES TARDIEU
"Joseph Recognized by His Brothers"

25
ABRAHAM BLOEMAERT
"Joseph and His Brothers"

26
GIOVANNI BATTISTA GAULLI
"Joseph Recognized by His Brothers"

27
JOSEPH-FORTUNET LAYRAUD
"Joseph Recognized by His Brothers"

28
"Joseph Reunited with His Brothers"

29
JAMES TISSOT
"The Brothers of Joseph"

30
JAMES TISSOT
"Joseph Converses with Judah"

31
JAMES TISSOT
"Joseph and His Brethren Welcomed by Pharaoh"

→ a n d... f i n a l l y ←

So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob. They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.”

And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!”

“Here I am,” he replied. “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”

33
"Jacob Moves to Egypt to Be with Joseph"

34
WILLEM REUTER
"Jacob and His Family Entering Egypt"

35
GUSTAV DORÉ
"Jacob Goes to Egypt"

36
JAN DE BRAY
"Joseph Receiving His Father and Brothers in Egypt"

37
OWEN JONES
"Joseph and Jacob Reunited"

38
"The Meeting of Jacob and Joseph in Egypt"

39
Source

40
JAMES TISSOT
"Joseph Presents Jacob to Pharaoh"

41
"Jacob Blesses Pharaoh"

42
JAMES TISSOT
"Jacob’s Last Moments"

43
JAMES TISSOT
"Jacob’s Body Is Taken to Canaan"

New International Version ©1984, Abrdgd, EMPHASES Added

[Hebrews 11:6]

R E S O U R C E S
Read GENESIS 42 in full
Hear MAX McLEAN reading it
Hear a DRAMATIZATION of it
Read J-F-B's COMMENTARY
BIBLE TIMELINE

Click for 38 prior episodes in THIS series:
The Bible In Paintings 2
Click for 434 links in the FIRST series:
The Bible In Paintings 1


HOW GOD PROMPTED
THIS BIBLE-ART SERIES

CLICK HERE
FOR AN EXCELLENT
8-MINUTE OVERVIEW OF
GENESIS 12-50

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[Hebrews 11:6]

J O S E P H
YOUNG JOSEPH'S DREAMS
JOSEPH'S ABDUCTION TO EGYPT
JOSEPH AND POTIPHAR'S WIFE
JOSEPH INTERPRETS PRISONERS' DREAMS
JOSEPH INTERPRETS PHARAOH'S DREAMS
JOSEPH'S BROTHERS IN EGYPT

M O S E S
MOSES IN HIS ARK, 1
MOSES IN HIS ARK, 2
GOD PREPARES MOSES
MOSES MEETS GOD: BURNING BUSH, 1
MOSES MEETS GOD: BURNING BUSH, 2

[left that other site]

Good Morning, Dan. :-)

[Hebrews 11:6]

And to you, sweet Mary-Lou!

[etabeta]

The joy of little Benjamin in seeing his brother again is evident in many of these paintings. Great images.

[Hebrews 11:6]

The agony of Jacob in letting him go was matched by the joy of Joseph in seeing him.

[null and void]

#9, not Great Art, but moving to anyone who has ever cried alone.

[telescope115]

One of most beautiful stories of the Old Testament!

[Hebrews 11:6]

Well said.

[Hebrews 11:6]

There were a few years there when Joseph didn’t think so, Pete, but all’s well that ends well.

[telescope115]

Absolutely!🙂

[Scott from the Left Coast]

Tissot has a remarkable series here…but does not #19 look like a 70’s rock idol before his adoring fans?

[Hebrews 11:6]

With our cultural context, sure.

But Joseph, as he explained, was well aware how God superintended his whole ordeal (which was here coming to a head). Such awareness must lead to exultant personal worship, which is what I presume Tissot is portraying here.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

“ The joy of little Benjamin in seeing his brother again is evident in many of these paintings. Great images.”

Bourgeois in #13 really struck me.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good afternoon, Dan - thanks very much for all the recognition-themed Biblical Art. Lots of Tissot!

"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"

"God save all here!"

[etabeta]

Yes, #13 is great. Wonderful subject for a painter.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Apparently, Tom, Tissot was profoundly moved by Joseph’s epic story—and we are beneficiaries.

[delchiante]

Great selections..
I am drawn to #28.
I’d borrow from that if I was ever asked to tell the story of Joseph meeting his brothers..

[rusureitflies?]

Hello, was Benjamin alive when Joseph was sold to the Ishmaelites?

[jjotto]

Yes, Benjamin was born before Joseph’s sale. Rachel’s death and Benjamin’s birth in Gen 35. Joseph’s sale in Gen 37.