Joseph - A Type Of Christ

The Old Testament contains various "types" of Christ - people who reflected what the Messiah would be like, but I think the one person who foreshadowed Jesus the most was Joseph, the son of Jacob. Here is a list of similarities I've found:

Similarities	Joseph	Jesus
Both are first-born.	Genesis 30:22-24 (of Rachel)	Matthew 1:25 (of Mary)
Both are shepherds.	Genesis 37:2	Matthew 2:26, 26:31 John 10:11
Both are the most loved of their fathers.	Genesis 37:3	Matthew 3:17, 12:18
Both were prophecied to be rulers.	Genesis 37:5-11	Daniel 7:13-14 Micah 4:7,5:2 Psalm 2
Both Joseph's and Jesus' brothers were jealous of them, and did not believe them.	Genesis 37:4-5, 11	John 7:3-5, 15:18-19
The prophecies that Joseph would rule his brothers (the tribes of Israel), and Jesus would rule the whole world, including Israel.	Genesis 37:6-11	Daniel 7:13-14 Psalm 2:1-12
Joseph was sent by his father to his brothers. Jesus was sent by His Father to Israel.	Genesis 37:13,18-20	Matthew 21:37-38, Mark 12:6-7, Luke 20:13-15, John 5:23
Joseph was apparently put to death, and Jesus truly, by their own people to get them out of the way.	Genesis 37:18-28	Acts 2:22-23
Reuben wanted to rescue Joseph. Pilate wanted to rescue Jesus.	Genesis 37:21-22	Matthew 27:24
Joseph was sold as a slave to Egypt. Jesus was betrayed for the price of a slave.	Genesis 37:26-28	Matthew 26:15, Exodus 21:32, Zechariah 11:12-13
Both went to Egypt.	Genesis 37:28	Matthew 2:13-15
Both were made slaves.	Genesis 39:1	Philippians 2:7
Both were falsely accused.	Genesis 36:11-20	Matthew 26:59-61
Yahweh was with them both.	Genesis 39:3,21,23 Acts 7:9	Acts 10:38 Luke 2:52 John 1:1-2, 3:2
Both were with two others condemned to die, one of which was pardoned and given life.	Genesis 40:1-3,20-22	Luke 23:32,39-43
God's Spirit indwelt them both.	Genesis 41:38	Luke 4:1 Acts 10:38
The king of Egypt exalted Joseph ruler over all to bring all under the king's rule. Jesus is exalted to bring all under God's rule.	Genesis 41:40-44	Acts 2:32-33 1 Corinthians 15:27-28
All knees bowed to Joseph. All knees will bow to Jesus.	Genesis 41:43	Philippians 2:10
Both were given a name meaning Savior.	Genesis 41:45 ("Savior of the World" or "Sustainer of Life")	Matthew 1:21 ("Yahweh is Salvation")
Both were given a gentile bride by the King.	Genesis 41:45	2 Corinthians 11:2
Troubled times come during their rule. 7 years of "tribulation".	Genesis 41:54-55	Mark 13:8 Jeremiah 30:7
The king of Egypt appointed Joseph to be the sole source of life for all. God appointed Jesus to be our sole source of eternal life.	Genesis 41:55-57	Acts 4:12 1 John 5:11-12
Joseph's brothers did not recognize him. Jesus' own people didn't either.	Genesis 42:8	John 1:10
Trouble for Joseph's brothers. Trouble for Israel ("Jacob's trouble").	Genesis 42:21-22,36	Isaiah 40:1-2 Jeremiah 30:7
Joseph was finally revealed to his brothers. Jesus to finally be revealed to Israel.	Genesis 45:3	Zechariah 12:10 Matthew 24:30-31 Revelation 1:7
The evil Joseph's brothers intended God meant for good to save them. The same is true of the evil Jesus' own people intended to him...	Genesis 45:5-8	Acts 3:12-18 Genesis 50:20
...therefore they are forgiven.	Genesis 45:5,10-15	Luke 23:34
Joseph's brothers shared Pharaoh's favor because of Joseph, not themselves. We share God's favor because of Jesus, not because we are worthy.	Genesis 45:16-20	Ephesians 2:4-8 Philippians 4:19
Both are to bring all under rule of the King.	Genesis 47:19-20	Ephesians 1:10-12
Both are Savior	Genesis 47:25	Acts 13:23
Joseph's sons (Manasseh and Ephriam) come through his gentile wife and are given full tribe status. Gentiles who believe are considered full members of God's people.	Genesis 48:5,9	Hebrews 2:13 (Isaiah 8:18) Acts 28:28
While only Jesus was truly sinless, Joseph is one of the few people significantly written about in the Bible of which no sins are mentioned.	(silent)	1 Peter 2:22

Esther2010-12-02 21:07:56: Thanks, this is what I was looking for.
Constant2010-12-20 14:11:55: Thank you, very helpful indeed!
R. Brodeur2010-12-23 23:50:59: Thank you for presenting this in a simple and easy to read format. God bless you for your work!
todd2011-03-15 19:32:32: thank you so much for doing this, it was most helpful in writing religion papers
Florida Bruce2011-05-29 13:16:06: Here is a type that I found one day while studying this about 20 years ago: Jospeh like Jesus was falsly accused. Jesus was eventually crucified as a result of being falsely accused. Joseph was thrown in a dungeon. During Christ's crucifixion he was there with two other - thieves - one of which was saved and the other lost. In Joseph's dungeon jail cell he also wasa accompanied by two - a butler and a baker... one of which were restored and the other lost. Joseph came forth from the dungeon jail and was exalted to the right hand of Pharaoh. Christ was exalted to God's right hand....

I especially like thge part about the two men with each of them... Remember also that Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver while Jospeph was sold for 20 pieces.
Andrew Bernhardt2011-05-30 09:46:59: Thanks F.B. Don't know how I could have missed the falsely accused similarity - very obvious now that you mentioned it. The two others is also a good point, and the being sold for a price.
Rob Missouri2011-06-05 12:56:08: Also Joseph (no sins listed)...Jesus was perfect as we know
MADHU SAMUEL2011-07-05 07:36:30: THANK YOU, FOR THIS COMARATIVE STUDY MATERIAL, MAY GOD BLESS YOU.
Stephanie2011-10-11 14:11:03: This is great! Thank you so much.
Therese2011-10-11 15:52:21: Also, in Genesis 45:5, Joseph says "for God sent me before you to preserve life." Similarly was Jesus sent to earth by God to save our souls.
Skip2012-01-05 10:00:32: Joseph was betrayed for money, so was Jesus.
Andrew Bernhardt2012-01-05 15:26:34: Another good call Skip. I'll add that to the list.
Chip2012-01-15 15:35:32: here's a similarity- Joseph was 'stripped of his coat' Gen 37:23, likewise the soldiers took the seamless garment of Jesus John 19:23
Maxine2012-01-16 13:10:13: We have been studying this portion of scripture in Sunday School. At the end where Joseph sends wagons to get his Family(brothers and their families) and brings them to be with him for care and protection from difficult times, I am wondering if this is a foreshadow of the rapture where the redeemed will be taken to safety while the great tribulation is going on?
Sam2012-01-19 14:12:23: did you get this from personal study or a book? if a book...what book? I am working on a project for school.
Andrew Bernhardt2012-01-19 14:44:36: This is through personal study. I don't know of a book that lists all of these similarities.
poohpity2012-01-23 09:00:34: Just stopped by to read your blog, interesting.
Jerry Malone2012-01-27 19:55:18: This list is very good. I have been looking for this.
Chris2012-02-28 06:26:48: Thank you. This was what I was looking for. Excellent for further studies.
Lucky .E2012-03-08 15:07:57: Inspiring indeed! We need a man like Joseph who took no advantage of grace to sin.
Darryl h2012-03-16 08:08:10: Teaching about Joseph in sunday school and seeing how perfect God has made this type between Joseph and Jesus I was currious as to why the difference in the peices of silver 20 vrs. 30. I fuond that 20 pcs of silver in Joseph's day was equal to 30 pcs 2200 years later, 50% inflation; makes God's type perfect!!Thank you for this study, God Bless you!
Nchor2012-04-15 11:41:35: Yes both of them sat in judgement.Joseph over is brethren and Jesus over His brethren (Israel)
ELMORE2012-04-27 11:48:27: VERY GOOD CHART. THANK YOU MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU
Stephen Hassell2012-04-30 16:26:36: This is one of the most extensive types that I've ever encountered.

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Topic viewed 7077 times since 2009-07-02 02:50:14.
Last updated by System on 2012-05-07 07:59:20.