Expert: Brenda Martin - 9/16/2004

Question
I am writing a story of Joseph and his coat and if possible need the answers to the following questions?

How old were the older brothers and Benjamin when Joseph was sold (I know Joseph was 17).

How long did it take to get to Egypt?

How old was Joseph when the bumper crops started?

I haven't found the answers myself in the Bible but haven't any idea where to actually look.  Please help if you can.

Cheers from Jess

Answer
Hi Jess, you asked--"HOW OLD WERE JOSEPH'S OLDER BROTHERS, AND BENJAMIN WHEN JOSEPH WAS SOLD?"

BENJAMIN--Jacob's 12th son and the full brother of Joseph. Benjamin appears to be the only son born to Jacob in the land of Canaan, the other sons being born in Paddan-aram. (Ge 29:31–30:25; 31:18) From the time of his birth until after his brother Joseph's being sold into slavery in Egypt, nothing further is told us about Benjamin.

It should be noted that, although Judah at this time referred to Benjamin as a “boy,” Benjamin by now was a young man. The record at Genesis 46:8, 21 presents Benjamin as the father of children at the time of Jacob's taking up residence in Egypt.

Joseph was sold to a caravan of traders headed for Egypt in 1750 B.C.E.

By the time of his father's death, Benjamin was apparently in his 40's with grandchildren. Jacob died in 1711 B.C.E., after 17 years of residence in Egypt, at the age of 147. (Ge 47:27, 28)

This is all I could find sorry.

"HOW LONG WOULD IT HAVE TAKEN TO GET TO EGYPT?"

The period from Abraham's move to Canaan until Jacob's going down into Egypt was 215 years. This figure is derived from the following facts: Twenty-five years passed from Abraham's departure from Haran to the birth of Isaac (Ge 12:4; 21:5); from then to the birth of Jacob was 60 years (Ge 25:26); and Jacob was 130 at the time of his entry into Egypt (Ge 47:9); thus giving a total of 215 years (from 1943 to 1728 B.C.E.). This means that an equal period of 215 years was thereafter spent by the Israelites in Egypt (from 1728 to 1513 B.C.E.)

But I don't know exactly how many miles it is from Canaan to Egypt.

"HOW OLD WAS JOSEPH WHEN THE 7-YRS BUMPER CROPS STARTED?"

Pharaoh recognized in 30-year-old Joseph the man wise enough to administer affairs during the time of plenty and the time of famine. Joseph was therefore constituted second ruler in Egypt, Pharaoh giving Joseph his own signet ring, fine linen garments, and a necklace of gold. (Ge 41:37-44, 46; compare Ps 105:17, 20-22.)

All the best
Brenda