Translating Genesis: Joseph's Rise to Power
Work through the set text, Genesis 41 to 43: learn its key Hebrew vocabulary, follow the story of Joseph's rise in Egypt, and build towards translating it.
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The set text: Joseph in Egypt 📜
For Component 2, Section A, you study a **set text**: Genesis chapters **41 to 43**, the story of **Joseph's rise to power** in Egypt. This module helps you learn its key **Hebrew vocabulary** and follow the story, so you can translate it. The Hebrew is ancient and public domain; the English here is a plain retelling.
Key words 📖
Learn these words from the story:
Match each Hebrew word to its English meaning
- יוֹסֵף (Yosef)
- פַּרְעֹה (Par'oh)
- חֲלוֹם (chalom)
- מִצְרַיִם (Mitzrayim)
- Joseph
- Pharaoh
- dream
- Egypt
Which word?
Which Hebrew word means 'Pharaoh'?
- פַּרְעֹה (Par'oh)
- יוֹסֵף (Yosef)
- חֲלוֹם (chalom)
- רָעָב (ra'av)
Reading Biblical Hebrew 🔤
Biblical Hebrew is read from **right to left**. The small dots and lines around the letters are called **niqqud**: they are vowel points that show how to say each word. For example, מֶלֶךְ (melekh) means king. Use the transliteration in brackets to sound each word out.
Words in the story
Select the TWO words that name something central to the story of Joseph.
- חֲלוֹם (chalom)
- רָעָב (ra'av)
- בַּיִת (bayit)
- יוֹם (yom)
Joseph's rise, in order
An interactive activity.
Match each Hebrew word to its English meaning
- מֶלֶךְ (melekh)
- אֶרֶץ (eretz)
- לֶחֶם (lechem)
- אָב (av)
- king
- land
- bread
- father
The story in brief 📊
Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, dreams of seven fat cows and seven thin ones, and of seven full ears of grain and seven withered ones. No one can explain the dreams. Joseph, a young Hebrew brought from prison, says they mean seven years of plenty, then seven of famine. Pharaoh makes Joseph ruler over Egypt to prepare. When the famine comes, Joseph's brothers travel from Canaan to buy grain.
The story summary
In the story, _____ explains the dreams of Pharaoh. He warns of a coming _____. Pharaoh makes him ruler of _____. Later, his _____ come to buy food.
Understand the story
Why do Joseph's brothers travel to Egypt?
- To buy food during the famine
- To crown Joseph as king
- To interpret Pharaoh's dreams
- To build the pyramids
How do you say it?
Say each Hebrew word: יוֹסֵף is said _____, פַּרְעֹה is said _____, חֲלוֹם is said _____, and מִצְרַיִם is said _____.
Show what you know
An interactive activity.
Retell the story
An interactive activity.