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יוֹסֵף (yo.seph)

yo.seph

Joseph

H3130 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 186 verses

N:N-M-P

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
186 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
N:N-M-P

Word Overview

The name Yoseph, meaning "he will add" or "Jehovah has added," belongs primarily to the beloved son of Jacob and Rachel. It appears over 180 times in Scripture, with the majority of references concentrated in Genesis, where it identifies the patriarch who rose from slavery to become a ruler in Egypt. The name reflects his mother’s hope that God would give her another child after years of barrenness.

Beyond the famous son of Jacob, the lexicons note that Yoseph is a shared name among several other Israelites. It identifies a priest in Nehemiah’s time, a Levitical musician in Chronicles, and even a man who took a foreign wife during Ezra’s reforms. This variety shows how common the name was across different tribes and eras.

The sources also highlight a poetic shift in usage. In later books like Psalms and Ezekiel, "Joseph" often stands as a symbol for the northern tribes of Israel or specifically for Ephraim. By using the ancestor’s name to represent his descendants, the biblical writers connect the history of the individual with the destiny of the nation.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Yoseph carries the hopeful meaning "he will add." It reminds us that God often brings new blessings after seasons of waiting or lack. Rachel named her son this way because she trusted Yahweh to give her another child. This story shows that our current circumstances do not define our future. God can turn a difficult situation into one of provision and growth.

Joseph’s life illustrates how faithfulness in small things leads to greater responsibility. Whether he was tending flocks or managing Potiphar’s house, he remained steady. The text notes that the Lord was with him, bringing prosperity wherever he went. This consistency is a model for daily life. We can trust that God sees our integrity even when no one else does.

Later, this name became a symbol for the northern tribes of Israel. It connects personal history with national destiny. For us, it signifies that individual faithfulness contributes to a larger story. We are part of something bigger than ourselves. This perspective brings comfort and purpose to our daily walk.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 186 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • Joseph187×
  • and/ Joseph8×
  • to/ Joseph5×
  • [am] Joseph2×
  • and/ to/ Joseph1×
  • and/ of/ Joseph1×
  • [belonged] to/ Joseph1×
  • <to>/ Joseph1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • יוֹסֵ֖ף39×
  • יוֹסֵ֔ף37×
  • יוֹסֵף֙25×
  • יוֹסֵ֑ף21×
  • יוֹסֵ֛ף15×
  • יוֹסֵֽף\׃10×
  • יוֹסֵ֗ף7×
  • יוֹסֵ֤ף6×
  • יוֹסֵ֣ף5×
  • יוֹסֵף֮4×
  • יוֹסֵ֜ף4×
  • יוֹסֵף֒3×

Key Verses

  • Genesis 30:24
    She named him Joseph, saying, “May Yahweh add another son to me.”

    This verse establishes the meaning of the name as a prayer for addition, highlighting God's role in overcoming barrenness.

  • Genesis 39:2
    Yahweh was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

    Here the text explicitly links Joseph’s prosperity to the presence of Yahweh, showing divine favor in slavery.

  • Genesis 39:21
    But Yahweh was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

    Even in prison, God shows kindness to Joseph, demonstrating that His presence is not limited by human confinement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Joseph mean in Hebrew?

The name Yoseph comes from a root meaning "to add." It reflects the hope that God would increase the family by giving another child. This meaning is explicitly stated in Genesis 30:24 when Rachel names him.

Is Joseph only the son of Jacob?

No, the name appears for several other Israelites. It identifies a priest in Nehemiah, a Levitical musician in Chronicles, and a man who took a foreign wife during Ezra’s reforms. This shows the name was common across different tribes and eras.

Why is Joseph mentioned in Psalms and Ezekiel?

In these later books, Joseph often stands as a symbol for the northern tribes of Israel or specifically for Ephraim. The biblical writers use his name to connect the patriarch’s history with the destiny of the nation.

Every Occurrence (186 verses across 14 books)

Genesis 137 verses
Genesis 30:24

She named him Joseph, saying, “May Yahweh add another son to me.”

Genesis 30:25

When Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own place, and to my country.

Genesis 33:2

He put the servants and their children in front, Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear.

Genesis 33:7

Leah also and her children came near, and bowed themselves. After them, Joseph came near with Rachel, and they bowed…

Genesis 35:24

The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin.

Genesis 37:2

This is the history of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his…

Genesis 37:3

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age, and he made him a tunic of…

Genesis 37:5

Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brothers, and they hated him all the more.

Genesis 37:13

Israel said to Joseph, “Aren’t your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” He said…

Genesis 37:17

The man said, “They have left here, for I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” Joseph went after his brothers, and…

Genesis 37:23

When Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him;

Genesis 37:28

Midianites who were merchants passed by, and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the…

Genesis 37:29

Reuben returned to the pit, and saw that Joseph wasn’t in the pit; and he tore his clothes.

Genesis 37:31

They took Joseph’s tunic, and killed a male goat, and dipped the tunic in the blood.

Genesis 37:33

He recognized it, and said, “It is my son’s tunic. An evil animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn in…

Genesis 39:1

Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him…

Genesis 39:2

Yahweh was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

Genesis 39:4

Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and Potiphar made him overseer over his house, and all that he…

Genesis 39:5

From the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, Yahweh blessed the Egyptian’s house for…

Genesis 39:6

He left all that he had in Joseph’s hand. He didn’t concern himself with anything, except for the food which he ate.…

Genesis 39:7

After these things, his master’s wife set her eyes on Joseph; and she said, “Lie with me.”

Genesis 39:10

As she spoke to Joseph day by day, he didn’t listen to her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

Genesis 39:20

Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were bound, and he was…

Genesis 39:21

But Yahweh was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Genesis 39:22

The keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever they did there,…

Genesis 40:3

He put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.

Genesis 40:4

The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he took care of them. They stayed in prison many days.

Genesis 40:6

Joseph came in to them in the morning, and saw them, and saw that they were sad.

Genesis 40:8

They said to him, “We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it.” Joseph said to them, “Don’t…

Genesis 40:9

The chief cup bearer told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, “In my dream, behold, a vine was in front of me,

Genesis 40:12

Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days.

Genesis 40:16

When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, “I also was in my dream, and behold,…

Genesis 40:18

Joseph answered, “This is its interpretation. The three baskets are three days.

Genesis 40:22

but he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.

Genesis 40:23

Yet the chief cup bearer didn’t remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Genesis 41:14

Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon. He shaved himself, changed his…

Genesis 41:15

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you,…

Genesis 41:16

Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It isn’t in me. God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

Genesis 41:17

Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, “In my dream, behold, I stood on the brink of the river;

Genesis 41:25

Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dream of Pharaoh is one. What God is about to do he has declared to Pharaoh.

Genesis 41:39

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because God has shown you all of this, there is no one so discreet and wise as you.

Genesis 41:41

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”

Genesis 41:42

Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen,…

Genesis 41:44

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh. Without you, no man shall lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.”

Genesis 41:45

Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-Paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife.…

Genesis 41:46

Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh,…

Genesis 41:49

Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the sea, very much, until he stopped counting, for it was without number.

Genesis 41:50

To Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore…

Genesis 41:51

Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, “For”, he said, “God has made me forget all my toil, and all my…

Genesis 41:54

The seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of…

Genesis 41:55

When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians,…

Genesis 41:56

The famine was over all the surface of the earth. Joseph opened all the store houses, and sold to the Egyptians. The…

Genesis 41:57

All countries came into Egypt, to Joseph, to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all the earth.

Genesis 42:3

Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.

Genesis 42:4

But Jacob didn’t send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers; for he said, “Lest perhaps harm happen to him.”

Genesis 42:6

Joseph was the governor over the land. It was he who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph’s brothers came, and…

Genesis 42:7

Joseph saw his brothers, and he recognized them, but acted like a stranger to them, and spoke roughly with them. He…

Genesis 42:8

Joseph recognized his brothers, but they didn’t recognize him.

Genesis 42:9

Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed about them, and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see the…

Genesis 42:14

Joseph said to them, “It is like I told you, saying, ‘You are spies!’

Genesis 42:18

Joseph said to them the third day, “Do this, and live, for I fear God.

Genesis 42:23

They didn’t know that Joseph understood them; for there was an interpreter between them.

Genesis 42:25

Then Joseph gave a command to fill their bags with grain, and to restore each man’s money into his sack, and to give…

Genesis 42:36

Jacob, their father, said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children! Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you…

Genesis 43:15

The men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and got up, went down to Egypt, and…

Genesis 43:16

When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and butcher an…

Genesis 43:17

The man did as Joseph commanded, and the man brought the men to Joseph’s house.

Genesis 43:18

The men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “Because of the money that was…

Genesis 43:19

They came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they spoke to him at the door of the house,

Genesis 43:24

The man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet. He gave their donkeys…

Genesis 43:25

They prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.

Genesis 43:26

When Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves down…

Genesis 43:30

Joseph hurried, for his heart yearned over his brother; and he sought a place to weep. He entered into his room, and…

Genesis 44:2

Put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, with his grain money.” He did according to the word…

Genesis 44:4

When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, “Up, follow after the men.…

Genesis 44:14

Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, and he was still there. They fell on the ground before him.

Genesis 44:15

Joseph said to them, “What deed is this that you have done? Don’t you know that such a man as I can indeed do…

Genesis 45:1

Then Joseph couldn’t control himself before all those who stood before him, and he called out, “Cause everyone to go…

Genesis 45:3

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Does my father still live?” His brothers couldn’t answer him; for they were…

Genesis 45:4

Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” They came near. He said, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you…

Genesis 45:9

Hurry, and go up to my father, and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says, “God has made me lord of all Egypt.…

Genesis 45:16

The report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” It pleased Pharaoh well, and his…

Genesis 45:17

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals, and go, travel to the land of Canaan.

Genesis 45:21

The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision…

Genesis 45:26

They told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” His heart fainted, for he…

Genesis 45:27

They told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them. When he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry…

Genesis 45:28

Israel said, “It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

Genesis 46:4

I will go down with you into Egypt. I will also surely bring you up again. Joseph’s hand will close your eyes.”

Genesis 46:19

The sons of Rachel, Jacob’s wife: Joseph and Benjamin.

Genesis 46:20

To Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On,…

Genesis 46:27

The sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two souls. All the souls of the house of Jacob, who came into…

Genesis 46:28

Jacob sent Judah before him to Joseph, to show the way before him to Goshen, and they came into the land of Goshen.

Genesis 46:29

Joseph prepared his chariot, and went up to meet Israel, his father, in Goshen. He presented himself to him, and fell…

Genesis 46:30

Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face, that you are still alive.”

Genesis 46:31

Joseph said to his brothers, and to his father’s house, “I will go up, and speak with Pharaoh, and will tell him, ‘My…

Genesis 47:1

Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, and said, “My father and my brothers, with their flocks, their herds, and all…

Genesis 47:5

Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, “Your father and your brothers have come to you.

Genesis 47:7

Joseph brought in Jacob, his father, and set him before Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

Genesis 47:11

Joseph placed his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in…

Genesis 47:12

Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all of his father’s household with bread, according to the sizes of their…

Genesis 47:14

Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which…

Genesis 47:15

When the money was all spent in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph, and…

Genesis 47:16

Joseph said, “Give me your livestock; and I will give you food for your livestock, if your money is gone.”

Genesis 47:17

They brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for the horses, and for the flocks, and…

Genesis 47:20

So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for every man of the Egyptians sold his field, because the famine…

Genesis 47:23

Then Joseph said to the people, “Behold, I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh. Behold, here is seed for…

Genesis 47:26

Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth. Only the land of…

Genesis 47:29

The time came near that Israel must die, and he called his son Joseph, and said to him, “If now I have found favor in…

Genesis 48:1

After these things, someone said to Joseph, “Behold, your father is sick.” He took with him his two sons, Manasseh and…

Genesis 48:2

Someone told Jacob, and said, “Behold, your son Joseph comes to you,” and Israel strengthened himself, and sat on the…

Genesis 48:3

Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,

Genesis 48:8

Israel saw Joseph’s sons, and said, “Who are these?”

Genesis 48:9

Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” He said, “Please bring them to me, and I…

Genesis 48:11

Israel said to Joseph, “I didn’t think I would see your face, and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.”

Genesis 48:12

Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.

Genesis 48:13

Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward…

Genesis 48:15

He blessed Joseph, and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my…

Genesis 48:17

When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him. He held up his father’s…

Genesis 48:18

Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.”

Genesis 48:21

Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am dying, but God will be with you, and bring you again to the land of your fathers.

Genesis 49:22

“Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine by a spring. His branches run over the wall.

Genesis 49:26

The blessings of your father have prevailed above the blessings of my ancestors, above the boundaries of the ancient…

Genesis 50:1

Joseph fell on his father’s face, wept on him, and kissed him.

Genesis 50:2

Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father; and the physicians embalmed Israel.

Genesis 50:4

When the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spoke to Pharaoh’s staff, saying, “If now I have found favor in your…

Genesis 50:7

Joseph went up to bury his father; and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, all the…

Genesis 50:8

all the house of Joseph, his brothers, and his father’s house. Only their little ones, their flocks, and their herds,…

Genesis 50:14

Joseph returned into Egypt—he, and his brothers, and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried…

Genesis 50:15

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully…

Genesis 50:16

They sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father commanded before he died, saying,

Genesis 50:17

‘You shall tell Joseph, “Now please forgive the disobedience of your brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to…

Genesis 50:19

Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for am I in the place of God?

Genesis 50:22

Joseph lived in Egypt, he, and his father’s house. Joseph lived one hundred ten years.

Genesis 50:23

Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on…

Genesis 50:24

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am dying, but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land…

Genesis 50:25

Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones…

Genesis 50:26

So Joseph died, being one hundred ten years old, and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

Exodus 4 verses
Numbers 12 verses
Deuteronomy 3 verses
Joshua 11 verses
Judges 3 verses
I Kings 1 verse
I Chronicles 6 verses
Ezra 1 verse
Nehemiah 1 verse
Psalms 2 verses
Amos 3 verses
Obadiah 1 verse
Zechariah 1 verse