Redemption Illustrated through Joseph's Story in the Bible
Redemption, in its biblical sense, refers to the purchase back of something lost through the payment of a ransom [2]. The Greek term apolutrosis, appearing nine times in Scripture, consistently carries this meaning of a price paid [2]. The Old Testament uses lutron in contexts of human-to-human relations, such as in Leviticus 19:20 or Exodus 21:30, and also in the context of humanity's relationship with God, as seen in Numbers 3:49 [2]. The concept is central to the biblical narrative, often associated with God bringing back the captivity of his people [3, 7].
The story of Joseph, whose name means "remover or increaser" [5], provides a powerful illustration of redemption. Joseph, the elder of Jacob's two sons by Rachel, was deeply loved by his father, who made him a special tunic [1, 5]. This favoritism, combined with Joseph's prophetic dreams, fueled his brothers' hatred [1]. They sold him into slavery, leading to his eventual imprisonment in Egypt [11]. Despite these adversities, Joseph rose to a position of power, becoming second only to Pharaoh [11]. His journey from slavery and imprisonment to a place of authority demonstrates a form of personal redemption and restoration [11].
The narrative of Joseph also foreshadows a broader redemptive theme for his family and, by extension, for Israel. Through Joseph's position, his family was saved from famine, and he was able to forgive his brothers, stating that God intended their evil for good [11]. This act of deliverance and reconciliation mirrors the larger biblical theme of God redeeming his people from captivity and distress [3, 6]. The return from captivity is a recurring motif, as seen in the psalmist's longing for the salvation of Israel when God "bringeth back the captivity of his people" [3, 7].
The concept of a redeemer is also found in the Old Testament, where God is frequently identified as the one who ransoms and redeems [10]. For instance, Isaiah proclaims that "Zion in judgment is redeemed, And her captivity in righteousness" [4]. This redemption is not merely political or physical but also spiritual, involving deliverance from sin and the curse of the law [8, 9]. The story of Joseph, therefore, serves as an early narrative example of God's redemptive work, where suffering and betrayal are transformed into salvation and restoration through divine providence [11].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Joseph — (increase). + The elder of the two sons of Jacob by Rachel. He was born in Padan-aram (Mesopotamia), probably about B.C. 1746. He is first mentioned when a youth, seventeen years old. Joseph brought the evil report of his brethren to his father, and they hated him because his father loved him more than he did them, and had shown his preference by making a dress which appears to have been a long tunic with sleeves, worn by youths and maidens of the richer class. (Genesis 37:2) He dreamed a dream foreshadowing his future power, which increased the hatred of his”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redemption — The purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word occurring nine times in Scripture, and always with the idea of a ransom or price paid, i.e., redemption by a lutron (see Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). There are instances in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament of the use of lutron in man's relation to man (Lev. 19:20; 25:51; Ex. 21:30; Num. 35:31, 32; Isa. 45:13; Prov. 6:35), and in the same sense of man's relation to God (Num. 3:49; 18:15). There are many passages in the New Tes”
- King James Version “[KJV] Psalms 53:6 — Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.”
- Isaiah “Isaiah 1:27 (YLT) — Zion in judgment is redeemed, And her captivity in righteousness.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Joseph — Remover or increaser. (1.) The elder of the two sons of Jacob by Rachel (Gen. 30:23, 24), who, on the occasion of his birth, said, "God hath taken away [Heb. asaph] my reproach." "The Lord shall add [Heb. yoseph] to me another son" (Gen. 30:24). He was a child of probably six years of age when his father returned from Haran to Canaan and took up his residence in the old patriarchal town of Hebron. "Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age," and he "made him a long garment with sleeves" (Gen. 37:3, R.V. marg.),”
- Jeremiah “For Yahweh has ransomed Jacob, and redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he. -- Jeremiah 31:11”
- King James Version “[KJV] Psalms 14:7 — Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Redemption — Defined -- 1Co 6:20; 7:23. Is of God -- Isa 44:21-23; 43:1; Lu 1:68. Is by Christ -- Mt 20:28; Ga 3:13. Is by the blood of Christ -- Ac 20:28; Heb 9:12; 1Pe 1:19; Re 5:9. Christ sent to effect -- Ga 4:4,5. Christ is made, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Is from The bondage of the law. -- Ga 4:5. The curse of the law. -- Ga 3:13. The power of sin. -- Ro 6:18,22. The power of the grave. -- Ps 49:15. All troubles. -- Ps 25:22. All iniquity. -- Ps 130:8; Tit 2:14. All evil. -- Ge 48:16. The present evil world. -- Ga 1:4. Vain conversation. -- 1Pe 1:18. Enemies. -- Ps 106”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 1:27: Zion shall be redeemed with judgment,.... The blessing of redemption by Christ is the source and foundation of the other blessings of grace, before mentioned, the little remnant are favoured with, as justification, pardon of sin, and conversion, Isa 1:18, Isa 1:25 it is of a spiritual nature; the redemption of the soul is a deliverance from the captivity of sin, Satan, and the law, and is plenteous and eternal; the objects of redeeming grace are "Zion" and her converts; not the world, but the church is redeemed by Christ; for by Zion is meant, not a place, but peopl”
- Job (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Job 19:25: 19:25 Job’s faith in a Redeemer could find fulfillment only in Christ; the same was true of his request for an advocate (9:33) and a witness in heaven (16:19). The term “Redeemer” (Hebrew go’el) comes from both criminal and civil law. An individual could redeem or avenge wrongful bloodshed (Num 35:12-18) or redeem lost property, perhaps by buying back a slave or marrying the heir’s widow (Lev 25:25, 47-49; 27:11-13; Ruth 3:13). The Old Testament knew the Lord as redeemer (Exod 6:6; Pss 19:14; 103:4; Prov 23:10-11; Isa 43:1 [“ransomed”]; Isa 54:5); New Testament beli”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 39 (introduction): At this chapter we return to the story of Joseph. We have him here, I. A servant, a slave in Potiphar's house (Gen 39:1), and yet there greatly honoured and favoured, I. By the providence of God, which made him, in effect, a master (Gen 39:2-6). 2. By the grace of God, which made him more than a conqueror over a strong temptation to uncleanness (Gen 39:7-12). II. We have him here a sufferer, falsely accused (Gen 39:13-18), imprisoned (Gen 39:19, Gen 39:20), and yet his imprisonment made both honourable and comfortable by the tokens of God's special p”