How long was Joseph in prison?
Genesis 39:1 - 23
NKJV - 1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
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Asked April 10 2014
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Zaina Mugagga
Supporter
Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
Great question, Zaina! Joseph was in prison at least 2 years because Genesis 41:1 opens with "When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream:..." The previous chapters, Genesis 39 and Genesis 40, closed with Joseph being in prison and the cupbearer forgetting Joseph in prison. So then, Joseph remained in prison for two more years, before he eventually was freed and elevated to responsibility in Pharaoh’s household.
Jeffrey Johnson
Supporter
How long was Joseph in prison? Genesis Chapter 41:1 tells us that Joseph had been in prison for 2 years. Two whole years passed. (Genesis 41:1) Imagine how frustrating that must have been for Joseph! Those two years might well have been the most challenging of all for Joseph to endure. Yet, he never gave up his trust in his God. Rather than giving in to despair, he was determined to survive, and he emerged from that trying time all the stronger. Perhaps his hopes were high after Jehovah gave him the understanding of the puzzling dreams of the cupbearer and the baker. And, as each day dawned, Joseph may have awakened with renewed hope that this would be the day of his release—only to find once again that the dull routine of prison life dragged on, unchanged. Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker while in prison. Two years after their release, Pharaoh had a dream, which led to Joseph's release from prison. The Genesis account tells us that after Joseph interpreted the dreams of the chief cupbearer and baker, the cupbearer was restored to his position but forgot about Joseph for two whole years. So, based on this, Joseph spent at least two years in prison, but possibly longer.
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