Original Word: יוֹסֵף
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yowceph
Pronunciation: yoh-SEF
Phonetic Spelling: (yo-safe')
KJV: Joseph
NASB: Joseph, Joseph's
Word Origin: [future of H3254 (יָסַף - again)]

1. let him add (or perhaps simply active participle adding)
2. Joseph, the name of seven Israelites

Joseph

Future of yacaph; let him add (or perhaps simply active participle adding); Joseph, the name of seven Israelites -- Joseph. Compare Yhowceph.

see HEBREW yacaph

see HEBREW Yhowceph

Word Origin
from yasaph
Definition
"he increases," a son of Jacob, also the name of several Isr.
NASB Translation
Joseph (194), Joseph's (19).

Name and Theological Import

Yosef occurs about 213 times in the Hebrew Bible and literally expresses the idea of increase or addition, an idea repeatedly reflected in the divine fruitfulness granted to the man and to the tribes that sprang from him.

Principal Bearer: Joseph Son of Jacob

Birth and Early Life

Genesis 30:24 records Rachel’s joy: “She named him Joseph, saying, ‘May the LORD add to me another son.’” Loved by his father and clothed with a “robe of many colors” (Genesis 37:3), Joseph from the outset embodies grace undeserved and favor bestowed.

Prophetic Dreams and Betrayal

Joseph’s God-given dreams foretold supremacy (Genesis 37:5-11). His brothers’ jealousy culminated in selling him to Ishmaelites (Genesis 37:28). Yet the very rejection that seemed to nullify the promise became the means of its fulfilment.

Integrity in Egypt

“The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man” (Genesis 39:2). Whether steward of Potiphar’s house or prisoner falsely accused, Joseph’s life demonstrates God’s presence amid humiliation, and the power of faithful purity (Genesis 39:7-12).

Exaltation and Administration

After interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph is elevated to second in Egypt (Genesis 41:39-41). His wise management of the seven-year famine displays divine wisdom executed through human diligence, securing food for “all the earth” (Genesis 41:57).

Preserver of the Covenant Family

When the famine drives Jacob’s sons to Egypt, Joseph discerns God’s providence: “God sent me ahead of you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5). His forgiveness culminates in reconciliation (Genesis 50:17-21) and protection for seventy persons of Jacob (Exodus 1:5).

Faith in the Promise

Joseph dies trusting the covenant: “God will surely visit you, and you must carry my bones up from this place” (Genesis 50:25; Exodus 13:19; Joshua 24:32). His unburied hope anchors Israel to Canaan during four centuries in Egypt.

Blessings upon Joseph

Jacob’s Blessing (Genesis 49:22-26)

Joseph is “a fruitful vine beside a spring,” assaulted but upheld “by the Mighty One of Jacob.” The patriarch links fruitfulness and military strength to the coming Shepherd-Rock, pointing forward to Messiah.

Moses’ Blessing (Deuteronomy 33:13-17)

Descendants receive “the best gifts of heaven,” “the choicest fruits of the earth,” and the majesty of the “firstborn of his ox,” depicting abundance and conquest fulfilled historically in Ephraim and Manasseh.

House of Joseph in Israel’s History

Conquest and Settlement

The “house of Joseph” (Joshua 17:14; Judges 1:22-26) spearheaded central conquest. Ephraim occupied the heartland where Shiloh stood, hosting the tabernacle for centuries.

Division and Monarchy

Jeroboam, an Ephraimite, led the northern revolt (1 Kings 11:26), so the northern kingdom is often called “Ephraim” or “Joseph” (Psalm 78:67; Amos 6:6). Prophets both warned and promised restoration (Zechariah 10:6).

Worship and Prophetic Memory

Psalm 80:1 petitions, “Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock.” The name becomes shorthand for God’s covenant people, reminding later generations of their origins in grace and preservation.

Typological Portrait of Christ

• Beloved Son – Genesis 37:3; Matthew 3:17
• Rejected by brothers yet exalted among Gentiles – Acts 4:10-11 echoes Genesis 37:28; 41:41
• Instrument of salvation for both Jew and Gentile, forgiving those who wronged Him – Genesis 45:5; Luke 23:34
• Name meaning “He will add” anticipates Messiah adding many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10).

Spiritual Themes

1. Sovereignty: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20).
2. Fruitfulness: Repeated imagery of abundance testifies that true increase is God-given.
3. Faithfulness in Exile: Joseph’s holiness and usefulness encourage believers scattered among the nations.
4. Forgiveness and Reconciliation: The narrative models familial healing grounded in God’s prior forgiveness.

Other Old Testament Instances

• Joseph, father of Igal the spy from Issachar (Numbers 13:7).
• Genealogical references linking tribal leaders to their patriarch (Numbers 1:10; 1 Chronicles 7:29).
• Poetic or prophetic mentions of the tribes or “house of Joseph” (Obadiah 1:18; Nahum 2:2).

Representative Occurrence Survey

Genesis (139), Exodus (4), Leviticus (2), Numbers (12), Deuteronomy (3), Joshua (9), Judges (8), Samuel–Kings (11), Chronicles (12), Psalms (7), Prophets (6). While counts vary slightly by manuscript tradition, the predominance in Genesis underlines the foundational role Joseph plays in redemptive history.

Ministry Significance Today

Joseph’s life calls believers to trust divine providence, pursue purity amid pressing temptation, practice wise stewardship of resources, forgive as forgiven, and cling to future resurrection hope symbolized by his transported bones. The God who “added” to Rachel also graciously “adds” souls to His kingdom through the greater Joseph, Jesus Christ.

וְיוֹסֵ֕ף וְיוֹסֵ֖ף וְיוֹסֵ֗ף וְיוֹסֵ֛ף וְיוֹסֵ֣ף וְיוֹסֵ֤ף וְיוֹסֵ֥ף וְיוֹסֵף֙ וּלְיוֹסֵ֣ף וּלְיוֹסֵ֤ף ויוסף וליוסף י֠וֹסֵף יוֹסֵ֑ף יוֹסֵ֔ף יוֹסֵ֖ף יוֹסֵ֗ף יוֹסֵ֛ף יוֹסֵ֜ף יוֹסֵ֞ף יוֹסֵ֡ף יוֹסֵ֣ף יוֹסֵ֤ף יוֹסֵ֥ף יוֹסֵ֧ף יוֹסֵ֨ף יוֹסֵֽף׃ יוֹסֵף֒ יוֹסֵף֙ יוֹסֵף֮ יוסף יוסף׃ לְיוֹסֵ֑ף לְיוֹסֵ֔ף לְיוֹסֵ֗ף לְיוֹסֵֽף׃ לְיוֹסֵף֙ לְיוֹסֵף֮ ליוסף ליוסף׃ lə·yō·w·sêp̄ leyoSef ləyōwsêp̄ ū·lə·yō·w·sêp̄ uleyoSef ūləyōwsêp̄ veyoSef wə·yō·w·sêp̄ wəyōwsêp̄ yō·w·sêp̄ yoSef yōwsêp̄Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts