Story of Prophet Joseph as given in Bible (Gen 37:50) and in Qur’an (Chapter 12)-

A comparative study

In the name of Allah and May His peace and blessings be on His prophet Muhammad, afterward,

It is a common practice of Jews and Christians to insinuate that Qur’an is a poor copy of tales and fables
from their books of Old and New Testament. Prophet Mohammed just copied whatever material he heard
(from hearsay, since he could not read or write) from the local source. Qur’an is therefore imperfect and
contradictory to what is told in our scriptures.

Now, seeing in true prospective, since the common source of both scriptures is same (i.e. Revelation from
God Almighty), why there should not be commonality between them? Further the Prophets of Old
Testament and New Testament are also prophets of Islam, why then their stories should not be referred to
in both scriptures?

But when we take a close look at any of the story told in the two scriptures, we find a great difference
between the two stories. If names were not common, it would seem that they are referring to different
person’s altogether. To prove this point, I refer to the story of Prophet Joseph

Why Prophet Joseph:

A. It is the only example in Qur’an, where the complete story is put in one place. So it is easy to compare.
(General rule of Qur’an is that part of story is told at one place (according to the point of discussion) and
the other part at another place (as the critic will say, for having insufficient knowledge!)
B. The story has so many twists and bends, that it needs skilful handling in copying.

Rules Followed:
A. In this study, I’ve kept two versions of the story side by side, for reader to form his own opinion.
B. However to help the reader, salient points of the Qur’anic narrative are as below:
1. Economy of Words: It is amazing that 340 or so verses of Bible are compressed in less than 100
verses of Qur’an! Without leaving any thing important! It is no less than miraculous.
2. Avoiding Proper Names: In Qur’anic narrative, no proper names except that of Joseph and Jacob are
mentioned! To tell a tale of such variety without proper names is amazing.
3. Purpose of story: Not at any stage Qur’an forgets the purpose of this story is for guidance and not
merely as a tale.
4. Names and attributes of God are continued throughout: This helps in remembrance of God
throughout.
5. Evidence of “Pen of Historian” in Biblical Version: Biblical version concerns mainly with the
“Historical” side of the story, ignoring spiritual side. That is why after reading such a long story; we have
to guess about the moral.
6. Moral of the story: Both in beginning and in the end, Qur’an explains the moral of this story and
lessons we could take from it.

That is all from my side. Let the readers enjoy this study.

Final Note: Biblical version is taken from New King James Version, Qur’anic English is from the
Translation of Abdullah Yousuf Ali. Arabic Text of Qur’an is also given, for those who could read and
understand Arabic, and form their own meanings of the given passage.

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 Story of Prophet Joseph as given in Bible (Gen 37:50) and in Qur’an (Chapter 12)-
A comparative study

Subject According to Bible Quran Arabic Version According to Qur'an Remarks

(Gen Chapter 37:50) English Translation
(Chapter 12)
Opening 37.1 Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his )‫ن‬ ِ ‫ب امْلِبُم ِبني‬ ِ ‫ت امْل ِكباَتبا‬ ُ‫ك آباَيبا ِب‬ َ‫الر ِتمْل با‬ 1 Alif, Lam, Ra; These are the 1. See the graceful
of the story father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2 symbols (or Verses) of the opening statement
This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being ‫عباَر ِبًاّنيبا‬َ‫( ِإاَّنبا باَأنباَزمْلباَنباِبُه ِبُقمْرآن ًبا با‬1 Perspicuous Book. 2 We have sent of Qur'an. It is
seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with it down, as an Arabic Qur’an, in mentioned at the
his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of
ُ‫ح ِب‬
‫ن‬ ْ‫( باَن م‬2) ‫ن‬ َ‫باَلباَعاَّلِبُكمْم باَتمْع ِقِبُلنو با‬ order that you may learn wisdom 3 outset, that source
Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives; ِ ‫ص‬
‫ص‬ َ‫ن امْلباَق با‬ َ‫س با‬
َ‫ح با‬ ْ‫ك باَأ م‬ َ‫عباَلمْني با‬
َ‫ص با‬ ُّ ‫باَنِبُق‬ We do relate to you the most of this information
and Joseph brought a bad report of them to beautiful of stories, in that We is from God, the
his father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than
َ‫ك باَهباَذا امْلِبُقمْرآ با‬
‫ن‬ َ‫حمْنيباَنبا ِإباَلمْني با‬َ‫ ِبباَمبا باَأمْو با‬ reveal to you this (portion of the) Almighty by the
way of inspiration.
all his children, because he was the son of his ْ‫ن باَقمْب ِل ِه باَل ِم م‬
‫ن‬ ْ‫ت ِم م‬ َ‫ن ِبُكن با‬ ْ‫باَو ِإ م‬ Qur’an: before this, you too was
amongst those who knew it not. 2. As per Bible the
old age. Also he made him a tunic of many
colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their
3) ‫ن‬ َ‫امْلباَغبا ِف ِلني با‬ cause of special
love of Jacob for
father loved him more than all his brothers, they Joseph was
hated him and could not speak peaceably to him. because he
brought bad news
of his brethren.
3. See the
character of
Joseph and Jacob
according to Bible.
Dream of 5 Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his ِ ‫ف باَأل ِبني ِه باَيبا باَأباَبت‬ ُ‫س ِب‬ ُ‫ ِإمْذ باَقباباَل ِبُينو ِب‬ 1. Qur'an only
Joseph brothers; and they hated him even more. 6 So 4 Behold, Joseph said to his father: mentions only one
he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I ‫شباَر باَكمْنوباَكب ًبا‬ َ‫ع با‬
َ‫حباَد با‬ َ‫ت باَأ با‬ُ‫ ِإيِّنر ي باَرباَأمْي ِب‬ O my father! I did see eleven stars dream.
have dreamed: 7 There we were, binding and the sun and the moon: I saw 2 As per Qur'an
sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf
‫س باَوامْلباَقباَمباَر باَرباَأمْيِبُتِبُهمْم ِلر ي‬ َ‫شمْم با‬ َّ‫باَوال ا‬ them prostrate themselves to me! Joseph told his
arose and also stood upright; and indeed your 4) ‫ن‬ َ‫ج ِدي با‬ ِ ‫سبا‬ َ‫) با‬ dream to his father
sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my not to his brethren,
which is more
sheaf.” 8 And his brothers said to him, “Shall
logical.
you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed
3. As per Bible
have dominion over us?” So they hated him even Joseph taunts his
more for his dreams and for his words. 9 Then brothers with the
he dreamed still another dream and told it to his dream.
brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed 4. Which of two
another dream. And this time, the sun, the versions are more
moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.” worthy of the main
characters?

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 Story of Prophet Joseph as given in Bible (Gen 37:50) and in Qur’an (Chapter 12)-
A comparative study
Reaction of 10 So he told it to his father and his brothers; َ‫ص ِبُرمْؤباَيباكبا‬ ْ‫ص م‬ ُ‫ر ي ل باَتمْق ِب‬ َّ‫باَقباباَل باَيبا ِبُبباَن ا‬ 5 Said (the father): “ My dear little 1. According to
Jacob on and his father rebuked him and said to him, son! Relate not your vision to your Bible Jacob scolds
hearing the “What is this dream that you have dreamed? ‫ك باَكمْنيد ًا‬ َ‫ك باَفباَني ِكنيِبُدوا باَل با‬ َ‫خباَنو ِت با‬ ْ‫عباَل ى ِإ م‬ َ‫با‬ brothers, lest they concoct a plot his son for the
dream Shall your mother and I and your brothers against you: for Satan is to man an dream.2.
indeed come to bow down to the earth before
‫عِبُد ٌّو‬ َ‫ن با‬ ِ ‫سبا‬ َ‫إلن با‬ ِ ‫ن ِل‬ َ‫طبا با‬ َ‫شمْني با‬ َّ‫ن ال ا‬ َّ‫ ِإ ا‬ avowed enemy! 6 “Thus will your According to
you?” 11 And his brothers envied him, but his َ‫جباَت ِبني با‬
‫ك‬ ْ‫ك باَي م‬ َ‫( باَوباَكباَذ ِل با‬5) ‫ن‬ ٌ ‫ِبُم ِبني‬ Lord choose you and teach you the Qur'an he
father kept the matter in mind. interpretation of stories (and immediately knows
‫ن باَتمْأ ِوي ِل‬ ْ‫ك ِم م‬ َ‫ك باَوِبُيباَعيِّلِبُم با‬ َ‫باَر ُّب با‬ events) and perfect His favor to the about the future
great ness of his
َ‫عباَلمْني با‬
‫ك‬ َ‫ث باَوِبُي ِت ُّم ِنمْعباَمباَتِبُه با‬ ِ ‫حبا ِدي‬ َ‫اباَأل با‬ posterity of Jacob-even as He
perfected it to your fathers son and
‫ب باَكباَمبا باَأباَتاَّمباَهبا‬ َ‫عباَل ى آ ِل باَيمْعِبُقنو با‬ َ‫باَو با‬ Abraham and Isaac aforetime! For congratulates
God is full of knowledge and him.3. Which of
‫ن باَقمْبِبُل ِإمْبباَرا ِهنيباَم‬ ْ‫ك ِم م‬ َ‫عباَل ى باَأباَبباَنومْي با‬ َ‫با‬ wisdom” these two versions
‫ح ِكني ٌم‬ َ‫ع ِلني ٌم با‬ َ‫ك با‬ َ‫ن باَراَّب با‬ َّ‫ق ِإ ا‬ َ‫ح با‬ َ‫س با‬ ْ‫باَو ِإ م‬ apply to a great
father and son,
6)) Bible or Qur'an?
Brother's plot 12 Then his brothers went to feed their father’s ‫خباَنو ِت ِه‬ ْ‫ف باَو ِإ م‬ َ‫س با‬ ُ‫ن ِفر ي ِبُينو ِب‬ َ‫باَلباَقمْد باَكبا با‬ 7 Verily in Joseph and his 1. See the concise
against flock in Shechem. 13 And Israel said to Joseph, brethren are signs (or symbols) for statement of
Joseph “Are not your brothers feeding the flock in ‫( ِإمْذ باَقباِبُلنوا‬7) ‫ن‬ َ‫سبا ِئ ِلني با‬ َّ‫ت ِلل ا‬ ٌ ‫آباَيبا‬ Seekers (after Truth). 8 They said Qur'an and
Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” So he (i.e. brethren of Joseph): “Truly endless ramblings
said to him, “Here I am.” 14 Then he said to
‫ب ِإباَل ى‬ ُّ ‫ح‬ َ‫خنوِبُه باَأ با‬ ُ‫ف باَوباَأ ِب‬ ُ‫س ِب‬ ُ‫باَلِبُنينو ِب‬ Joseph and his brother are loved in Bible.
him, “Please go and see if it is well with your َّ‫صباَب ٌة ِإ ا‬
‫ن‬ ْ‫ع م‬ ُ‫ن ِب‬ ُ‫ح ِب‬ ْ‫باَأ ِبنيباَنبا ِماَّنبا باَوباَن م‬ more by our father than we: But 2. As per Quran
brothers and well with the flocks, and bring we are a goodly body! Really our the only cause of
back word to me.” So he sent him out of the
(8) ‫ن‬ ٍ ‫ضال ٍل ِبُم ِبني‬ َ‫باَأباَبباباَنبا باَل ِفر ي با‬ father is obviously wandering (in jealousy of
brethren was the
Valley of Hebron, and he went to Shechem. 15 ‫حنوِبُه‬ ُ‫طباَر ِب‬ ْ‫ف باَأمْو ا م‬ َ‫س با‬ ُ‫امْقِبُتِبُلنوا ِبُينو ِب‬ his mind)! 9 “ Kill you Joseph or
cast him out to some (unknown ) additional love of
Now a certain man found him, and there he was,
wandering in the field. And the man asked him,
‫جِبُه باَأ ِبنيِبُكمْم‬ ْ‫خِبُل باَلِبُكمْم باَو م‬ ْ‫باَأمْرض ًبا باَي م‬ land, that so the favor of your their father for
father may be given to you alone: Joseph.
saying, “What are you seeking?” 16 So he said, ‫ن باَبمْع ِد ِه باَقمْنوم ًبا‬ ْ‫باَوباَتِبُكنوِبُننوا ِم م‬ (there will be enough time) for you
“I am seeking my brothers. Please tell me where
they are feeding their flocks.” 17 And the man
9) ‫ن‬ َ‫حني با‬ ِ ‫صبا ِل‬ َ‫) با‬ to be righteous after that”!

said, “They have departed from here, for I heard

them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph
went after his brothers and found them in
Dothan. 18 Now when they saw him afar off,
even before he came near them, they conspired
against him to kill him. 19 Then they said to one
another, “Look, this dreamer is coming! 20
Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him
into some pit; and we shall say, ‘Some wild
beast has devoured him.’ We shall see what will
become of his dreams!”

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 Story of Prophet Joseph as given in Bible (Gen 37:50) and in Qur’an (Chapter 12)-
A comparative study
21 But Reuben heard it, and he delivered him ‫باَقباباَل باَقبا ِئ ٌل ِممْنِبُهمْم ل باَتمْقِبُتِبُلنوا‬ 10 Said one of them “ Kill not 1. Here Qur’an
Voice of out Joseph, but if you must do avoids mentioning
Restraint of their hands, and said, “Let us not kill him.” 22 ‫غباَنيباباَب ِة‬
َ‫ف باَوباَأمْلِبُقنوِبُه ِفر ي با‬ َ‫س با‬ ُ‫ِبُينو ِب‬ something throw him down to the the name of
And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood, but bottom of the well: he will be Reuben in keeping
cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness,
‫ساَّنيباباَر ِة‬
َّ‫ض ال ا‬ ُ‫طِبُه باَبمْع ِب‬ ْ‫ب باَيمْلباَت ِق م‬
ِّ‫ج ي‬ ُ‫امْل ِب‬ picked up by some caravan of with its policy.
and do not lay a hand on him”—that he might 10) ‫ن‬ َ‫ع ِلني با‬
ِ ‫ن ِبُكنِبُتمْم باَفبا‬ ْ‫ ِإ م‬ travelers”
deliver him out of their hands, and bring him
back to his father.
11 They said “O our father! Why 1 According to
Brethren ask
ْ‫غد ًا باَيمْرباَتمْع باَوباَيمْلباَعبم‬ َ‫سمْلِبُه باَمباَعباَنبا با‬ ِ ‫باَأمْر‬ do you not trust us with Joseph,- Bible Jacob sent
permission ‫( باَقباباَل‬12) ‫ن‬ َ‫ظنو با‬ ُ‫حبا ِف ِب‬ َ‫باَو ِإاَّنبا باَلِبُه باَل با‬ seeing we are indeed his sincere Joseph to spy on
of father to well wishers? 12 Send him with us their brethren
take Joseph ‫ن باَتمْذباَهِبُبنوا ِب ِه‬ ْ‫حِبُزِبُن ِنر ي باَأ م‬ ْ‫ ِإيِّنر ي باَلباَني م‬ tomorrow to enjoy himself and without asking.
with them ‫ب باَوباَأمْنِبُتمْم‬ُ‫ن باَيمْأِبُكباَلِبُه اليِّذمْئ ِب‬
ْ‫ف باَأ م‬ ُ‫خبا ِب‬ َ‫باَوباَأ با‬ play, and we shall take every care 2. According to
of him” 13 Jacob) said: “ Really it Qur'an Jacob was
ْ‫( باَقباِبُلنوا باَل ِئ م‬13) ‫ن‬
‫ن‬ َ‫غبا ِفِبُلنو با‬ َ‫عمْنِبُه با‬ َ‫با‬ saddens me that you should take hesitant to trust
Joseph with them
‫صباَب ٌة ِإاَّنبا‬ْ‫ع م‬ ُ‫ن ِب‬ ُ‫ح ِب‬ ْ‫ب باَوباَن م‬ ُ‫باَأباَكباَلِبُه اليِّذمْئ ِب‬ him away: I fear lest the wolf
should devour him, while you are 3 Now which is a
14) ‫ن‬ َ‫سِبُرو با‬ ِ ‫خبا‬ َ‫) ِإذ ًا باَل با‬ not attending to him” 14 They more reasonable
Said” If the wolf were to devour account befitting a
him while we are (so large) a great statesman
party, then should we indeed (first) kike Jacob?
have perished ourselves.!”.
23 So it came to pass, when Joseph had come ْ‫جباَمِبُعنوا باَأ م‬
‫ن‬ ْ‫باَفباَلاَّمبا باَذباَهِبُبنوا ِب ِه باَوباَأ م‬ 1. Joseph was
Joseph Cast to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his 15 So they did take him away, and already with them,
into well tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. ِّ‫ج ي‬
‫ب‬ ُ‫غباَنيباباَب ِة امْل ِب‬ َ‫جباَعِبُلنوِبُه ِفر ي با‬ ْ‫باَي م‬ they all agreed to throw him down so opening part of
24 Then they took him and cast him into a pit. to the bottom of the well: and We verse is
And the pit was empty; there was no water in it.
‫حمْنيباَنبا ِإباَلمْني ِه باَلِبُتباَنيِّبباَئاَّنِبُهمْم‬
َ‫باَوباَأمْو با‬ put into his heart (this message) ‘ meaningless
َ‫شِبُعِبُرو با‬
‫ن‬ ْ‫ ِبباَأمْم ِر ِهمْم باَهباَذا باَوِبُهمْم ل باَي م‬ Of a surety you shall (one day) tell 2. According to
them the truth of this their affair, Qur'an God
15)) while they know (you) not”. assured Joseph
that good will
come out of this
test.
25 And they sat down to eat a meal. Then they ‫سِبُلنوا‬ َ‫ساَّنيباباَر ٌة باَفباَأمْر با‬َ‫ت با‬ ْ‫جباباَء م‬ َ‫باَو با‬ 19 Then there came a caravan of 1. According to
Joseph lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a travelers: they sent their water Qur'an Joseph was
Picked company of Ishmaelite, coming from Gilead with ‫باَوا ِرباَدِبُهمْم باَفباَأمْدباَل ى باَدمْلباَنوِبُه باَقباباَل باَيبا‬ carrier (for water), and he let down taken out of well
by Caravan their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, his bucket (into the well)…He said by caravan
on their way to carry them down to Egypt. 26 So
‫س ُّروِبُه‬ َ‫غال ٌم باَوباَأ با‬ ُ‫شباَر ى باَهباَذا ِب‬ ْ‫ِبُب م‬ “Ah there! Good news! Here is a 2. According to
Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is there ‫ع ِلني ٌم ِبباَمبا‬ َ‫لل با‬ َّ‫ع ًة باَوا ِبُا‬ َ‫ضبا با‬ َ‫ ِب با‬ (fine) young man!” So they Bible it was by
if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 concealed him as a treasure! But brethren
Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelite, and
ٍ ‫شباَرمْوِبُه ِبباَثباَم‬
‫ن‬ َ‫( باَو با‬19) ‫ن‬ َ‫باَيمْعباَمِبُلنو با‬ God knows well all that they do! themselves

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 Story of Prophet Joseph as given in Bible (Gen 37:50) and in Qur’an (Chapter 12)-
A comparative study
let not our hand be upon him, for he is our ‫س باَدباَرا ِهباَم باَممْعِبُدوباَد ٍة باَوباَكباِبُننوا‬
ٍ ‫خ‬ ْ‫باَب م‬ 20 (The Brethren) sold him for a 3. See the Bible
brother and our flesh.” And his brothers listened. miserable price,- for a few dirhams confusion between
28 Then Midianite traders passed by; so the 20) ‫ن‬ َ‫ن الاَّزا ِه ِدي با‬ ْ‫ ِفني ِه ِم م‬ counted out! In such low Ishmaelite and
brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of estimation did they hold him. Midinites
the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelite for 4 Further the order
twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to of events is
Egypt. reversed in Bible
and Qur'an
29 Then Reuben returned to the pit, and indeed ُ‫سباَت ِب ِب‬
‫ق‬ ْ‫باَقباِبُلنوا باَيبا باَأباَبباباَنبا ِإاَّنبا باَذباَهمْبباَنبا باَن م‬ 1. According to
Bad news is Joseph was not in the pit; and he tore his 16 Then they came to their father Bible Jacob
brought to clothes. 30 And he returned to his brothers and ‫عباَنبا‬ِ ‫عمْنباَد باَمباَتبا‬ ِ ‫ف‬ َ‫س با‬ ُ‫باَوباَتباَرمْكباَنبا ِبُينو ِب‬ in early part of night weeping.17 believes that
Jacob said, “The lad is no more; and I, where shall I They Said” “O our father! We Joseph is killed
go?” 31 So they took Joseph’s tunic, killed a kid
ٍ ‫ت ِبِبُممْؤ ِم‬
‫ن‬ َ‫ب باَوباَمبا باَأمْن با‬ ُ‫باَفباَأباَكباَلِبُه اليِّذمْئ ِب‬ went racing with one another and 2. According to
of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. (17) ‫ن‬ َ‫صبا ِد ِقني با‬ َ‫باَلباَنبا باَوباَلمْنو ِبُكاَّنبا با‬ left Joseph with our things; and the Qur'an Jacob
32 Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and wolf devoured him but you will smells a plot and
they brought it to their father and said, “We
‫ص ِه ِبباَد ٍم‬ ِ ‫عباَل ى باَق ِمني‬ َ‫جباِبُءوا با‬ َ‫باَو با‬ never believe us, even though we accuses them so
3. Which version
have found this. Do you know whether it is your ‫ت باَلِبُكمْم‬ ْ‫ساَّنوباَل م‬
َ‫ب باَقباباَل باَبمْل با‬ ٍ ‫باَك ِذ‬ tell the truth”. 18 They stained his
matches with the
son’s tunic or not?” 33 And he recognized it and shirt with false blood. He said:
said, “It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has
‫سِبُكمْم باَأمْمر ًا‬
ُ‫) باَأنِبُف ِب‬ “No, but your minds have made up Character of
a tale (that may pass) with you Jacob?
devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to
pieces.”
34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on ُ‫سباَتباَعبا ِب‬
‫ن‬ ْ‫لل امْلِبُم م‬
َّ‫ج ِمني ٌل باَوا ِبُا‬ َ‫صمْب ٌر با‬
َ‫باَف با‬ (For me) patience is most fitting: 1. See the graceful
Jacob's his waist, and mourned for his son many days. against that which you assert, It is mourning of Jacob
lamentation 35 And all his sons and all his daughters arose to 18) ‫ن‬ َ‫صِبُفنو با‬
ِ ‫عباَل ى باَمبا باَت‬
َ‫با‬ God (alone) whose help can be as described in
for Joseph comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, sought” Qur'an and
and he said, “For I shall go down into the grave compare it with the
to my son in mourning.” Thus his father wept for scene in Bible.
him. 36 Now the Midianites[a] had sold him in 2. Now which
version is befitting
Egypt to
a prophet of God.
Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the
guard.
Genesis Chapter 38 tells here a very offensive story of Qur'an does not
Story of incest committed by Father in Law (Judah) to his soil its narration
Judah and Daughter in law (Tamar). Further child (Zerah) borne of with such dirty
Tamar this incest is added to the genealogy of Jesus Christ. stories, without
any moral and not
fitting to a holy
book reveled by
God to mankind for
guidance.

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 Story of Prophet Joseph as given in Bible (Gen 37:50) and in Qur’an (Chapter 12)-
A comparative study

39.1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. َ‫صربا‬ْ‫ن ِم م‬ ْ‫شباَتباَراِبُه ِم م‬ ْ‫باَوباَقباباَل ااَّل ِذ ي ا م‬ 21 The man in Egypt who bought 1 As usual Qur'an
And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of him said to his wife: “ Make his does not mention
Joseph the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the ‫س ى‬ َ‫ع با‬ َ‫لمْمباَرباَأ ِت ِه باَأمْك ِر ِمر ي باَممْثباَنواِبُه با‬ stay (among us) honorable: maybe the name of
being Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. 2 he will bring us much good, or we Egyptian officer
brought to The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a
‫خباَذِبُه باَوباَلد ًا‬ ِ ‫ن باَينباَفباَعباَنبا باَأمْو باَناَّت‬ ْ‫باَأ م‬ shall adopt him as a son.” Thus who bought
Egypt successful man; and he was in the house of his ‫ف ِفر ي‬ َ‫س با‬ ُ‫ك باَماَّكاَّنبا ِلِبُنينو ِب‬ َ‫باَوباَكباَذ ِل با‬ did We establish Joseph in the Joseph, this is the
master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that land, that We might the usual Qur'anic
the LORD was with him and that the LORD made
‫ن باَتمْأ ِوي ِل‬ ْ‫ض باَو ِلِبُنباَعيِّلباَمِبُه ِم م‬ ِ ‫اباَألمْر‬ interpretation of stories (and practice, to use
minimum words.
all he did to prosper in his hand.4 So Joseph ‫عباَل ى‬ َ‫ب با‬ ٌ ‫غبا ِل‬ َ‫لل با‬ َّ‫ث باَوا ِبُا‬ ِ ‫حبا ِدي‬ َ‫اباَأل با‬ events). And God has full power
and control over His affairs, but 2. Further see the
found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he
made him overseer of his house, and all that he
‫سل‬ ِ ‫ن باَأمْكباَثباَر الاَّنبا‬ َّ‫باَأمْم ِر ِه باَوباَل ِك ا‬ most among mankind know it not. grace full few
22 When Joseph attained his full words in which the
had he put under his authority. 5 So it was, from ‫شاَّدِبُه‬
ُ‫( باَوباَلاَّمبا باَبباَلباَغ باَأ ِب‬21) ‫ن‬ َ‫باَيمْعباَلِبُمنو با‬ manhood, We gave him power and topic is covered in
the time that he had made him overseer of his
house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed
َ‫عمْلم ًبا باَوباَكباَذ ِل با‬
‫ك‬ ِ ‫حمْكم ًبا باَو‬ ُ‫آباَتمْنيباَنباِبُه ِب‬ knowledge, thus do We reward Qur'an compared
those who do right. with the long
the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the 22) ‫ن‬ َ‫س ِنني با‬ ِ ‫ح‬ ْ‫ج ِز ي امْلِبُم م‬ ْ‫)باَن م‬ narrative of Bible.
blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in
the house and in the field. 6 Thus he left all that
he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know
what he had except for the bread which he ate.
Joseph Now Joseph was handsome in form and ‫باَوباَراباَوباَدمْتِبُه ااَّل ِتر ي ِبُهباَنو ِفر ي باَبمْني ِتباَهبا‬ Both versions
being appearance. 7 And it came to pass after these 23 But she in whose house he agree here but see
seduced by things that َ‫ت اباَألمْبباَنوا با‬
‫ب‬ ْ‫غاَّلباَق م‬َ‫س ِه باَو با‬ِ ‫ن باَنمْف‬ ْ‫ع م‬
َ‫با‬ was, sought to the
the wife of his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, sequel
his master and she said, “Lie with me.”
َ‫ت باَهمْني با‬
‫ت‬ ْ‫) باَوباَقباباَل م‬ seduce him from his (true) self: she
fastened the doors and said : Now
come you (dear one)!”
8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, ‫لل ِإاَّنِبُه باَريِّبر ي‬
َّ‫ك باَقباباَل باَمباَعباباَذ ا ِا‬ َ‫باَل با‬ He said “ God forbid! Truly (your Compare the
Joseph's “Look, my master does not know what is with husband) is my lord! He made my grace in the two
Reply me in the house, and he has committed all that ُ‫ ي ِإاَّنِبُه ل ِبُيمْف ِل ِب‬
‫ح‬ َ‫ن باَممْثباَنوا با‬ َ‫س با‬
َ‫ح با‬ ْ‫باَأ م‬ sojourn agreeable! Truly to no replies
he has to my hand. 9 There is no one greater in good come those who do wrong!”
this house than I, nor has he kept back anything
23) ‫ن‬ َ‫ظبا ِلِبُمنو با‬َّ‫ال ا‬
from me but you, because you are his wife. How
then can I do this great wickedness, and sin
against God?”
10 So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, ْ‫ت ِب ِه باَوباَهاَّم ِبباَهبا باَلمْنول باَأ م‬
‫ن‬ ْ‫باَهاَّم م‬ 24 And (with passion) did she 1 According to
Seduction that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be desire him, and he would have Bible Joseph left
continues with her. 11 But it happened about this time, َ‫ن باَريِّب ِه باَكباَذ ِل با‬
‫ك‬ َ‫باَرباَأ ى ِبُبمْرباَهبا با‬ desired her, but that he saw the his clothes and ran
when Joseph went into the house to do his work, evidence of his Lord: thus (did We 2 According to
and none of the men of the house was inside, 12
‫سنوباَء‬ ُّ ‫عمْنِبُه ال‬ َ‫ف با‬ َ‫ص ِر با‬ ْ‫ ِلباَن م‬ order) that We might turn away Qur'an, Joseph's
that she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie ‫عباَببا ِدباَنبا‬
ِ ‫ن‬ ْ‫شباباَء ِإاَّنِبُه ِم م‬ َ‫ح با‬
ْ‫باَوامْلباَف م‬ from him (all) evil and shameful garment was torn

6of37
 Story of Prophet Joseph as given in Bible (Gen 37:50) and in Qur’an (Chapter 12)-
A comparative study
with me.” But he left his garment in her hand, 24) ‫ن‬
َ‫صني با‬
ِ ‫خباَل‬
ْ‫)امْلِبُم م‬ from the back
and fled and ran outside. 3. Now which
version is befitting
deeds: for he was one of Our the dignity of a
servants sincere and purified. prophet?
13 And so it was, when she saw that he had left ‫صِبُه‬
َ‫ت باَق ِمني با‬ ْ‫ب باَوباَقاَّد م‬ َ‫سباَتباَبباَقبا امْلباَببا با‬ ْ‫باَوا م‬ 25 So they both raced each other 1. Look at the
his garment in her hand and fled outside, 14 that to the door, and she tore his shirt incredible story of
Wife she called to the men of her house and spoke to ‫سيِّنيباَدباَهبا باَلباَد ى‬
َ‫ن ِبُدِبُب ٍر باَوباَأمْلباَفباَنيبا با‬ْ‫ ِم م‬ from the back They both found her Bible and compare
Accuses them, saying, “See, he has brought in to us a lord near the door. She said: it with the precise
Joseph Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with
‫ن باَأباَراباَد‬ْ‫جباَزاِبُء باَم م‬ َ‫ت باَمبا با‬ ْ‫ب باَقباباَل م‬ ِ ‫امْلباَببا‬ “What is the (fitting) punishment narration of Qur'an
me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And it ‫ن باَأمْو‬ َ‫ج با‬َ‫س با‬
ْ‫ن ِبُي م‬ْ‫سنوء ًا ِإاَّل باَأ م‬ ُ‫ك ِب‬ َ‫ ِبباَأمْه ِل با‬ for one who formed an evil design 2 It is not
happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice against your wife, but prison or a improbable for
and cried out, that he left his garment with me,
25) ‫ب باَأ ِلني ٌم‬ ٌ ‫عباَذا‬ َ‫) با‬ grievous chastisement. master of the
house to return at
and fled and went outside.”
some awkward
16 So she kept his garment with her until his time, it so often
master came home. 17 Then she spoke to him happens in daily
with words like these, saying, “The Hebrew life, it is not a
servant whom you brought to us came in to me miracle.
to mock me; 18 so it happened, as I lifted my
voice and cried out, that he left his garment with
me and fled outside.”
19 So it was, when his master heard the words ‫سر ي‬ ِ ‫ن باَنمْف‬ ْ‫ع م‬ َ‫ر ي باَراباَوباَدمْت ِنر ي با‬ َ‫باَقباباَل ِه با‬ 26 He said: “It was she that sought 1. For once
Master beats which his wife spoke to him, saying, “Your to seduce me- from my (true) self” Qur'anic version is
servant did to me after this manner,” that his ْ‫ن باَأمْه ِلباَهبا ِإ م‬
‫ن‬ ْ‫شبا ِه ٌد ِم م‬ َ‫ش ِهباَد با‬ َ‫باَو با‬ And one of her household saw this longer! It has to
Joseph anger was aroused. and bore witness, (thus); - “If it be prove Joseph's
‫ن ِبُقِبُب ٍل‬ ْ‫صِبُه ِبُقاَّد ِم م‬ ُ‫ن باَق ِمني ِب‬ َ‫باَكبا با‬ that his shirt is rent from the front, innocence!
)‫ن‬ َ‫ن امْلباَكبا ِذ ِبني با‬ ْ‫ت باَوِبُهباَنو ِم م‬ ْ‫صباَدباَق م‬ َ‫باَف با‬ then her tale is true and he is a liar! 2. Compare it with
27 “ But it be that his shirt is torn the one sided
ْ‫صِبُه ِبُقاَّد ِم م‬
‫ن‬ ُ‫ن باَق ِمني ِب‬ َ‫ن باَكبا با‬ ْ‫( باَو ِإ م‬26 from the back, then she is the liar judgment as
depicted in Bible.
ْ‫ت باَوِبُهباَنو ِم م‬
‫ن‬ ْ‫ِبُدِبُب ٍر باَفباَكباَذباَب م‬ and he is telling the truth!”28 So
when he saw that his shirt.- that it 3. Now which
‫( باَفباَلاَّمبا باَرباَأ ى‬27) ‫ن‬ َ‫صبا ِد ِقني با‬ َّ‫ال ا‬ was torn at the back,- (Her conduct is more
husband) said: “Behold! It is a probable of a high
‫ن ِبُدِبُب ٍر باَقباباَل ِإاَّنِبُه‬ ْ‫صِبُه ِبُقاَّد ِم م‬ َ‫باَق ِمني با‬ snare of you women! Truly mighty state official (who
) ‫ظني ٌم‬ ِ ‫ع‬ َ‫ن با‬ َّ‫ن باَكمْنيباَدِبُك ا‬ َّ‫ن ِإ ا‬ َّ‫ن باَكمْني ِدِبُك ا‬ ْ‫ ِم م‬ is your snare! 29 “O Joseph, pass is also an
this over! (O wife) seek experienced man
‫ن باَهباَذا‬ ْ‫ع م‬ َ‫ض با‬ ْ‫ع ِر م‬ ْ‫ف باَأ م‬ ُ‫س ِب‬ ُ‫( ِبُينو ِب‬28 forgiveness for your sin, for truly of the world)
4 He himself had
ِ ‫ك ِبُكن‬
‫ت‬ ِ ‫ك ِإاَّن‬ ِ ‫سباَتمْغ ِف ِر ي ِلباَذمْن ِب‬ ْ‫باَوا م‬ you have been at fault!”.
seen the good
29) ‫ن‬ َ‫ط ِئني با‬ ِ ‫خبا‬ َ‫ن امْل با‬ ْ‫) ِم م‬ qualities of
Joseph, How could
he believe such
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 Story of Prophet Joseph as given in Bible (Gen 37:50) and in Qur’an (Chapter 12)-
A comparative study
grave charge on
his fidelity without
any investigation?
1. This picture
ِ ‫سباَنو ٌة ِفر ي امْلباَم ِديباَنة‬ ْ‫باَوباَقباباَل ِن م‬ 30 Ladies said in the city: “The which shows the
Story of ْ‫ع م‬
‫ن‬ َ‫امْمباَرباَأِبُة امْلباَع ِزي ِز ِبُتباَرا ِوِبُد باَفباَتباباَهبا با‬ wife of the (great) Aziz is seeking
to seduce her slave from his (true)
moral character of
city's women high Egyptian
and cutting ‫حًاّببا ِإاَّنبا‬ ُ‫شباَغباَفباَهبا ِب‬ َ‫س ِه باَقمْد با‬ ِ ‫باَنمْف‬ self, truly has he inspired her with society is missing
violent love: we see she is
off of their (30) ‫ن‬ ٍ ‫ضال ٍل ِبُم ِبني‬ َ‫باَلباَنباَراباَهبا ِفر ي با‬ evidently going astray.” 31 When
in Bible.
hands. 2. This shows the
ْ‫سباَل م‬
‫ت‬ َ‫ن باَأمْر با‬ َّ‫ت ِبباَممْك ِر ِه ا‬ ْ‫س ِمباَع م‬ َ‫باَفباَلاَّمبا با‬ she heard of their malicious talk, strong moral
she sent for them and prepared a character of
‫ن ِبُماَّتباَك ًأ‬ َّ‫ت باَلِبُه ا‬ ْ‫عباَتباَد م‬ ْ‫ن باَوباَأ م‬ َّ‫ ِإباَلمْني ِه ا‬ banquet for them: she gave each of Joseph and the
‫سيِّكنين ًبا‬ ِ ‫ن‬ َّ‫حباَد ٍة ِممْنِبُه ا‬ ِ ‫ت ِبُكاَّل باَوا‬ ْ‫باَوآباَت م‬ them a knife and she said (to
Joseph) “ Come out before them.”
hardship ha had to
face to guard his
‫ن باَفباَلاَّمبا‬ َّ‫عباَلمْني ِه ا‬ َ‫ج با‬ ْ‫خِبُر م‬ ْ‫ت ا م‬ ْ‫باَوباَقباباَل م‬ When they saw him, they did extol chastity.
him, and (in their amazement) cut
َّ‫ن باَأمْي ِدباَيِبُه ا‬
‫ن‬ َ‫طمْع با‬ َّ‫باَرباَأمْيباَنِبُه باَأمْكباَبمْرباَنِبُه باَوباَق ا‬ their hands: they said, “ God
3. This whole
chapter is missing
‫شر ًا‬ َ‫لل باَمبا باَهباَذا باَب با‬ َّ‫ش ِا‬ َ‫حبا با‬ َ‫ن با‬ َ‫باَوِبُقمْل با‬ preserve us! No mortal is this! This in Bible. From
is none other than a noble angel” where Muhammad
(31) ‫ك باَك ِري ٌم‬ ٌ ‫ن باَهباَذا ِإاَّل باَمباَل‬ ْ‫ ِإ م‬ 32 She said “ There before you is copied it?
‫ن ااَّل ِذ ي ِبُلمْمِبُتاَّن ِنر ي ِفني ِه‬ َّ‫ت باَفباَذ ِلِبُك ا‬ ْ‫باَقباباَل م‬ the man whom you did blame me !
I did seek to seduce him from his
‫س ِه‬ ِ ‫ن باَنمْف‬ ْ‫ع م‬ َ‫باَوباَلباَقمْد باَراباَود ُّتِبُه با‬ (true) self but he did firmly save
himself guiltless! And now, if he
‫ن باَلمْم باَيمْفباَعمْل باَمبا‬ ْ‫صباَم باَوباَل ِئ م‬ َ‫سباَتمْع با‬ ْ‫باَفبا م‬ does not do my bidding, he shall
َ‫ن ِم با‬
‫ن‬ َ‫ن باَوباَلباَنيِبُكنو با‬ َّ‫جباَن ا‬ َ‫س با‬ ْ‫آِبُمِبُرِبُه باَلِبُني م‬ certainly be cast into prison, and
(what is more) be of the company
ِّ‫( باَقباباَل باَر ي‬32) ‫ن‬
‫ب‬ َ‫غ ِري با‬ ِ ‫صبا‬ َّ‫ال ا‬ of the vilest!
‫ر ي ِماَّمبا‬ َّ‫ب ِإباَل ا‬ ُّ ‫ح‬ َ‫ن باَأ با‬ ُ‫ج ِب‬ ْ‫س م‬ ِّ‫ال ي‬ 33 He said: “O my Lord! The
prison is more to my liking than
ْ‫ص ِر م‬
‫ف‬ ْ‫عنوباَن ِنر ي ِإباَلمْني ِه باَو ِإاَّل باَت م‬ ُ‫باَيمْد ِب‬ that to which they invite me:
Unless You turn away their snare
َّ‫ب ِإباَلمْني ِه ا‬
‫ن‬ ُ‫ص ِب‬ ْ‫ن باَأ م‬ َّ‫عيِّنر ي باَكمْنيباَدِبُه ا‬ َ‫با‬ from me, I should (in my youthful
(33) ‫ن‬ َ‫جبا ِه ِلني با‬ َ‫ن امْل با‬ ْ‫ن ِم م‬ ْ‫باَوباَأِبُك م‬ folly) feel inclined towards then
and join the rank of the ignorant.”
َ‫صباَر با‬
‫ف‬ َ‫ب باَلِبُه باَر ُّبِبُه باَف با‬ َ‫جبا با‬ َ‫سباَت با‬ ْ‫باَفبا م‬ 34 So his Lord hearkened to him
‫س ِمنيِبُع‬ َّ‫ن ِإاَّنِبُه ِبُهباَنو ال ا‬ َّ‫عمْنِبُه باَكمْنيباَدِبُه ا‬ َ‫با‬ (in his prayer) and turned away
from him their snare: Verily He
34) ‫)امْلباَع ِلنيِبُم‬ Hears and Knows )all things).

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A comparative study

20 Then Joseph’s master took him and put him ‫ن باَبمْع ِد باَمبا باَرباَأمْوا‬
ْ‫ِبُثاَّم باَبباَدا باَلِبُهمْم ِم م‬ 35 Then it occurred to the men, 1. According to
Joseph goes Into the prison, a place where the king’s after they had Qur'an Joseph was
to prison prisoners were confined. And he was there in the )‫ن‬
ٍ ‫حني‬ ِ ‫حاَّت ى‬ َ‫جِبُناَّنِبُه با‬
ُ‫س ِب‬
ْ‫ت باَلباَني م‬
ِ ‫الباَيبا‬ seen the signs, (that it was best) to sent to prison, not
prison. imprison him for a time. for any crime, but
35) as face saving
action.
2. Which version is
more graceful,
Bible or Qur'anic?
21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed 1. Qur'an is silent
Joseph's him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of of these activities.
activities in the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of 2. Later we will
prison the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the see, what real
prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they activities of prison
did there, it was his doing. 23 The keeper of the Bible keeps silent
prison did not look into anything that was under of!
Joseph’s authority, [a] because the LORD was
with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made
it prosper.
40.1 It came to pass after these things that the ‫ن باَقباباَل‬ ِ ‫ن باَفباَتباَنيبا‬ َ‫ج با‬
ْ‫س م‬ ِّ‫خباَل باَمباَعِبُه ال ي‬ َ‫باَوباَد با‬ 36 Now with him there came into 1. See how
Prisoner's butler and the baker of the king of Egypt the prison two young men, said beautifully Qur'an
Dream offended their lord, the king of Egypt. 2 And ‫صِبُر‬ِ ‫ع‬ ْ‫حِبُدِبُهباَمبا ِإيِّنر ي باَأباَرا ِنر ي باَأ م‬ َ‫باَأ با‬ one of them: “ I see myself (in a in a few words
Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the dream) pressing wine.” Said the gives the gist of
chief butler and the chief baker. 3 So he put
‫خِبُر ِإيِّنر ي باَأباَرا ِنر ي‬ َ‫خمْمر ًا باَوباَقباباَل ال با‬ َ‫با‬ other: “ I see myself (in a dream) this long narration.
them in custody in the house of the captain of ‫خمْبز ًا باَتمْأِبُكِبُل‬ ُ‫سر ي ِب‬ ِ ‫ق باَرمْأ‬ َ‫ح ِمِبُل باَفمْنو با‬ ْ‫باَأ م‬ carrying bread on my head, and 2 Separating grain
the guard, in the prison, the place where Joseph birds are eating thereof.” “Tell us” from the chaff!
was confined. 4 And the captain of the guard
‫طمْنيِبُر ِممْنِبُه باَنيِّبمْئباَنبا ِبباَتمْأ ِوي ِل ِه ِإاَّنبا‬ َّ‫ال ا‬ (they said) “the truth and meaning
charged Joseph with them, and he served them; 36) ‫ن‬ َ‫س ِنني با‬ِ ‫ح‬ ْ‫ن امْلِبُم م‬ْ‫ك ِم م‬ َ‫باَنباَرا با‬ thereof: for we see are one that do
good (to all).”
so they were in custody for a while.
5 Then the butler and the baker of the king of
Egypt, who were confined in the prison, had a
dream, both of them, each man’s dream in one
night and each man’s dream with its own
interpretation. 6 And Joseph came in to them in
the morning and looked at them, and saw that
they were sad. 7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officers
who were with him in the custody of his lord’s
house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?”
8 And they said to him, “We each have had a
dream, and there is no interpreter of it.”
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A comparative study
So Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations
belong to God? Tell them to me, please.”
9 Then the chief butler told his dream to Joseph,
and said to him, “Behold, in my dream a vine
was before me, 10 and in the vine were three
branches; it was as though it budded, its
blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought
forth ripe grapes. 11 Then Pharaoh’s cup was in
my hand; and I took the grapes and pressed
them into Pharaoh’s cup, and placed the cup in
Pharaoh’s hand.”
37 He said: “Before any food 1 See how the
Joseph's
‫طباَعبا ٌم ِبُتمْرباَزباَقبا ِن ِه‬ َ‫باَقباباَل ل باَيمْأ ِتنيِبُكباَمبا با‬ comes (in due course) to feed Bible is Silent of
preaching in ْ‫ ِإاَّل باَناَّبمْأِبُتِبُكباَمبا ِبباَتمْأ ِوي ِل ِه باَقمْبباَل باَأ م‬
‫ن‬ either of you, I will surely reveal to the "Real"
the prison you the truth and meaning of this activities of a
‫عاَّلباَم ِنر ي‬ َ‫باَيمْأ ِتباَنيِبُكباَمبا باَذ ِلِبُكباَمبا ِماَّمبا با‬ before it befall you. This is pert of prophet of God
‫ت ِماَّلباَة باَقمْنو ٍم ل‬ ُ‫باَريِّبر ي ِإيِّنر ي باَتباَرمْك ِب‬ (the duty) which my Lord has wherever he may
taught me. I have (I assure you) be.
‫خباَر ِة‬ ِ ‫لل باَوِبُهمْم ِببال‬ َّ‫ن ِببا ِا‬ َ‫ِبُيمْؤ ِمِبُننو با‬ abandoned the ways of a people 2. Prophet Joseph
sees a moment of
ُ‫( باَوااَّتباَبمْع ِب‬37) ‫ن‬
‫ت‬ َ‫ِبُهمْم باَكبا ِفِبُرو با‬ that believe not in God ant that
(even) deny the hereafter. 38 “And advantage and
َ‫ح با‬
‫ق‬ َ‫س با‬ ْ‫ ِماَّلباَة آباَببا ِئر ي ِإمْبباَرا ِهنيباَم باَو ِإ م‬ I follow the ways of my fathers,- gives the true
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; and guidance to his
ْ‫ن باَلباَنبا باَأ م‬
‫ن‬ َ‫ب باَمبا باَكبا با‬ َ‫باَوباَيمْعِبُقنو با‬ never could we attribute any companions.
َ‫ر ي ٍء باَذ ِل با‬
‫ك‬ ْ‫ش م‬
َ‫ن با‬ ْ‫لل ِم م‬ َّ‫ك ِببا ِا‬ َ‫ش ِر با‬ ْ‫ِبُن م‬ partners whatever to God: that 3. Now which
(comes) of the grace of God to us version is
‫عباَل ى‬ َ‫عباَلمْنيباَنبا باَو با‬ َ‫لل با‬ َّ‫ض ِل ا ِا‬ ْ‫ن باَف م‬ ْ‫ ِم م‬ and to mankind: yet most men are matching with the
dignity of
‫سل‬ ِ ‫ن باَأمْكباَثباَر الاَّنبا‬ َّ‫س باَوباَل ِك ا‬ ِ ‫الاَّنبا‬ not grateful.
prophets? Bible or
‫ر ي‬
ِ ‫حباَب‬ ِ ‫صبا‬ َ‫( باَيبا با‬38) ‫ن‬ َ‫شِبُكِبُرو با‬ ْ‫باَي م‬ 39 “O my two companions of the Qur'an?
prison! (I ask you) : Are many
‫خمْني ٌر‬ َ‫ن با‬ َ‫ب ِبُمباَتباَفيِّرِبُقنو با‬ ٌ ‫ن باَأباَأمْرباَببا‬ ِ ‫ج‬ ْ‫س م‬ ِّ‫ال ي‬ lords differing amongst themselves
(39) ‫حِبُد امْلباَقاَّهباِبُر‬ ِ ‫لل امْلباَنوا‬ َّ‫باَأمْم ا ِبُا‬ better, or the One God, supreme
and Irresistible?
‫ن ِبُدو ِن ِه ِإاَّل‬ ْ‫ن ِم م‬ َ‫باَمبا باَتمْعِبُبِبُدو با‬ 40 “If not Him, you worship
‫ساَّممْنيِبُتِبُمنوباَهبا باَأمْنِبُتمْم‬ َ‫سباَمبا ًء با‬ ْ‫باَأ م‬ nothing but names which you have
named,- You and your fathers,- for
ْ‫لل ِبباَهبا ِم م‬
‫ن‬ َّ‫باَوآباَبباِبُؤِبُكمْم باَمبا باَأنباَزباَل ا ِبُا‬ which God has sent down no
authority: the command is for none
‫لل باَأباَمباَر‬ َّ‫حمْكِبُم ِإاَّل ِا‬ ُ‫ن امْل ِب‬ ْ‫ن ِإ م‬ ٍ ‫طبا‬ َ‫سمْل با‬ ُ‫ِب‬ but God; He has commanded that
ُ‫ك اليِّدي ِب‬
‫ن‬ َ‫باَأاَّل باَتمْعِبُبِبُدوا ِإاَّل ِإاَّيباِبُه باَذ ِل با‬ you worship none but him: that is
the right religion, but most men

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 Story of Prophet Joseph as given in Bible (Gen 37:50) and in Qur’an (Chapter 12)-
A comparative study
understand not…
‫سل‬ ِ ‫ن باَأمْكباَثباَر الاَّنبا‬ َّ‫امْلباَقيِّنيِبُم باَوباَل ِك ا‬
40) ‫ن‬ َ‫)باَيمْعباَلِبُمنو با‬
12 And Joseph said to him, “This is the ‫ن باَأاَّمبا‬ ِ ‫ج‬ ْ‫س م‬ ِّ‫ر ي ال ي‬ ِ ‫حباَب‬ ِ ‫صبا‬َ‫باَيبا با‬ 41 “O my two companions of the 1 Again see how in
interpretation interpretation of it: The three branches are three prison! As to one of you, he will a few words
of the days. 13 Now within three days Pharaoh will lift ‫خمْمر ًا‬ َ‫س ِقر ي باَراَّبِبُه با‬ ْ‫حِبُدِبُكباَمبا باَفباَني م‬ َ‫باَأ با‬ pour out the wine for his lord to Qur'an conveys
dreams up your head and restore you 16 When the chief drink: As for the other, he will the whole
baker saw that the interpretation was good, he
‫ب باَفباَتمْأِبُكِبُل‬ ُ‫صباَل ِب‬ ْ‫خِبُر باَفِبُني م‬ َ‫باَوباَأاَّمبا ال با‬ hang from the cross, and the birds message.
said to Joseph, “I also was in my dream, and ‫ر ي اباَألمْمِبُر‬ َ‫ض با‬ ِ ‫س ِه ِبُق‬ ِ ‫ن باَرمْأ‬ ْ‫طمْنيِبُر ِم م‬ َّ‫ال ا‬ will eat from off his head. So has 2 There is
there were three white baskets on my head. 17 been decreed that matter whereof unnecessary
In the uppermost basket were all kinds of baked
41) ‫ن‬ ِ ‫سباَتمْف ِتباَنيبا‬
ْ‫)ااَّل ِذ ي ِفني ِه باَت م‬ you two do enquire”.. repetition in the
Biblical version.
goods for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of
the basket on my head.”
18 So Joseph answered and said, “This is the
interpretation of it: The three baskets are three
days. 19 Within three days Pharaoh will lift off
your head from you and hang you on a tree; and
the birds will eat your flesh from you.” 20 Now
it came to pass on the third day, which was
Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all
his servants; and he lifted up the head of the
chief butler and of the chief baker among his
servants. 21 Then he restored the chief butler to
his butlership again, and he placed the cup in
Pharaoh’s hand. 22 But he hanged the chief
baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.
14 But remember me when it is well with you, ٍ ‫ن باَأاَّنِبُه باَنباج‬َّ‫ظ ا‬ َ‫باَوباَقباباَل ِلاَّل ِذ ي با‬ 42. And of the two, to that whom 1. Same plea, but
Joseph and please show kindness to me; make mention he considered about to be saved, Qur'anic version is
lingers of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house. َ‫عمْنباَد باَريِّب با‬
‫ك‬ ِ ‫ ِممْنِبُهباَمبا امْذِبُكمْر ِنر ي‬ he said: “mention me to your more
in Jail 15 For indeed I was stolen away from the land of lord.” But Satan made him forget graceful depicting
the Hebrews; and also I have done nothing here
‫ن ِذمْكباَر باَريِّب ِه‬ ُ‫طبا ِب‬َ‫شمْني با‬
َّ‫سباِبُه ال ا‬َ‫باَفباَأن با‬ to mention him to his lord: and high moral
that they should put me into the dungeon.” ... َ‫س ِنني با‬
‫ن‬ ِ ‫ضباَع‬ ْ‫ن ِب م‬ ِ ‫ج‬ ْ‫س م‬ ِّ‫ث ِفر ي ال ي‬ َ‫باَفباَل ِب با‬ (Joseph) lingered in prison a few character of
23 Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, (more) years. Joseph, compared
but forgot him.
42)) to the biblical
version!

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A comparative study

41.1 Then it came to pass, at the end of two full َ‫سمْبعبا‬َ‫ك ِإيِّنر ي باَأباَر ى با‬ ُ‫باَوباَقباباَل امْلباَم ِل ِب‬ 43. The king (of Egypt) said: “I do 1. See again how
King's years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, see (in a in a few graceful
Dream he stood by the river. 2 Suddenly there came up ‫سمْب ٌع‬ َ‫ن با‬ َّ‫ن باَيمْأِبُكِبُلِبُه ا‬
ٍ ‫سباَمبا‬ ِ ‫ت‬ ٍ ‫باَبباَقباَرا‬ vision) seven fat Cows whom words, the whole
out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; seven lean ones devour,- and seven meaning of
and they fed in the meadow. 3 Then behold,
‫ض ٍر‬
ْ‫خ م‬ ُ‫ت ِب‬ ٍ ‫سمْنِبُبال‬ ُ‫سمْبباَع ِب‬ َ‫ف باَو با‬ ٌ ‫جبا‬ َ‫ع با‬ ِ green years of Corn, and seven passage is given!
seven other cows came up after them out of the ٍ ‫سبا‬
‫ت‬ َ‫خباَر باَيبا ِب با‬ َ‫باَوِبُأ با‬ (others) withered 2. Further Qur'an
river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other does not call king
of Egypt as
cows on the bank of the river. 4 And the ugly
Pharaoh
and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine looking
3. Modern
and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke. 5 He slept and research has
dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven shown that king of
heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and Egypt at Joseph's
good. 6 Then behold, seven thin heads, blighted time was of a
by the east wind, sprang up after them. 7 And diffrent race than
the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump typical Egyptian
and full heads. race, that is why
he is not referred
to as Pharaoh in
Qur'an, a title
reserved for kings
of Egyptian race.
So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream. ‫باَيبا باَأ ُّيباَهبا امْلباَمأل باَأمْفِبُتنو ِنر ي ِفر ي‬ O ye chiefs! Expound to me my Here is the same
Chiefs 8 Now it came to pass in the morning that his vision if it be that you can interpret story in different
unable spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all ‫ن ِبُكنِبُتمْم ِلل ُّرمْؤباَيبا‬
ْ‫ِبُرمْؤباَيبا ي ِإ م‬ visions.” 44 They Said: “A words
to interpret the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And confused medley of dreams; and
the dream Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no
43) ‫ن‬ َ‫)باَتمْعِبُبِبُرو با‬ we are not skilled in the
one who could interpret them for Pharaoh. interpretation of dreams.”
ُ‫حنِب‬
ْ‫حال ٍم باَوباَمبا باَن م‬ ْ‫ث باَأ م‬
ُ‫ضباَغبا ِب‬
ْ‫باَقباِبُلنوا باَأ م‬
44) ‫ن‬ َ‫حال ِم ِبباَعبا ِل ِمني با‬ ْ‫) ِبباَتمْأ ِوي ِل اباَأل م‬

9 Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, ‫جبا ِممْنِبُهباَمبا باَو ِااَّدباَكباَر‬ َ‫باَوباَقباباَل ااَّل ِذ ي باَن با‬ 45 But the man who had been 1 Again see the
Joseph's saying: “I remember my faults this day. 10 released, one of the two (who had economy of words
referred When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and ‫باَبمْعباَد ِبُأاَّم ٍة باَأباَنبا ِبُأباَنيِّبِبُئِبُكمْم ِبباَتمْأ ِوي ِل ِه‬ been in prison) and who now in Qur’anic
for put me in custody in the house of the captain of bethought him after (so long) a narration
interpretation the guard, both me and the chief baker, 11 we
45) ‫ن‬ ِ ‫سِبُلنو‬ ِ ‫)باَفباَأمْر‬ space of time, said: “I will tell you 2. Further Qur'an
of dream each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of the truth of its interpretation: send says that Joseph
you me (therefore)” gave the
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A comparative study
us dreamed according to the interpretation of his interpretation of
own dream. 12 Now there was a young Hebrew King's dream from
man with us there, a servant of the captain of prison itself.
the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted
our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted
according to his own dream. 13 And it came to
pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it
happened. He restored me to my office, and he
hanged him.”
Joseph 14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and 1 According to
Comes they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; Qur'an Joseph did
out of prison and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came not came out of
to Pharaoh. prison yet
2. He was sent to
prison on false
charges and first
he had to prove his
innocence
3. Believe
whichever version
you like!
15 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a ‫ق باَأمْف ِتباَنبا‬
ُ‫صيِّدي ِب‬ ِّ‫ف باَأ ُّيباَهبا ال ي‬ ُ‫س ِب‬ ُ‫ِبُينو ِب‬ 46 “ O Joseph! (he said) “ man of 1. See the
Dreams told dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. truth! Expound to us (the dream) economy of
to Joseph But I have heard it said of you that you can ٍ ‫سباَمبا‬
‫ن‬ ِ ‫ت‬ ٍ ‫سمْب ِع باَبباَقباَرا‬ َ‫ ِفر ي با‬ of seven fat cows whom seven lean Qur'anic version
understand a dream, to interpret it.” 16 So ones devour, and of seven green again!
Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in
‫سمْب ِع‬ َ‫ف باَو با‬ ٌ ‫جبا‬ َ‫ع با‬ِ ‫سمْب ٌع‬ َ‫ن با‬ َّ‫باَيمْأِبُكِبُلِبُه ا‬ ears of corn and (seven) others 2. It avoids
me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” ٍ ‫سبا‬
‫ت‬ َ‫خباَر باَيبا ِب با‬ َ‫ض ٍر باَوِبُأ با‬ْ‫خ م‬ ُ‫ت ِب‬ ٍ ‫سمْنِبُبال‬ ُ‫ِب‬ withered: That I may return to the unnecessary
17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: “Behold, in my people, and that they may repetition.
dream I stood on the bank of the river. 18
‫س باَلباَعاَّلِبُهمْم‬ ِ ‫جِبُع ِإباَل ى الاَّنبا‬ ِ ‫باَلباَعيِّلر ي باَأمْر‬ understand.” 3. As per Qur'an
this happened
Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, 46) ‫ن‬ َ‫)باَيمْعباَلِبُمنو با‬ inside the prison.
fine looking and fat; and they fed in the
meadow. 19 Then behold, seven other cows
came up after them, poor and very ugly and
gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all
the land of Egypt. 20 And the gaunt and ugly
cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows. 21
When they had eaten them up, no one would
have known that they had eaten them, for they
were just as ugly as at the beginning. So I
awoke. 22 Also I saw in my dream, and suddenly
seven heads came up on one stalk, full and

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A comparative study
good. 23 Then behold, seven heads, withered,
thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprang up
after them. 24 And the thin heads devoured the
seven good heads. So I told this to the
magicians, but there was no one who could
explain it to me.”
25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of ‫ن باَدباَ با‬
ً ‫أب‬ َ‫س ِنني با‬ ِ ‫سمْبباَع‬ َ‫ن با‬ َ‫عنو با‬ ُ‫باَقباباَل باَتمْزباَر ِب‬ 47 (Joseph) said: “ For seven 1. Same story in
Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what years shall you diligently sow as in different words, but
Joseph's He is about to do: 26 The seven good cows are ‫سمْنِبُب ِل ِه‬
ُ‫صمْدِبُتمْم باَفباَذِبُروِبُه ِفر ي ِب‬ َ‫ح با‬ َ‫باَفباَمبا با‬ your wont: and the harvests that
interpretation seven years, and the seven good heads are you reap, you shall leave them in as usual Qur'anic
of dreams seven years; the dreams are one. 27 And the
‫( ِبُثاَّم‬47) ‫ن‬ َ‫ال ِماَّمبا باَتمْأِبُكِبُلنو با‬ ً ‫ ِإاَّل باَق ِلني‬ the ear,- except a little of which version is concise.
seven thin and ugly cows which came up after ‫شباَدا ٌد‬ِ ‫سمْب ٌع‬ َ‫ك با‬ َ‫ن باَبمْع ِد باَذ ِل با‬ ْ‫باَيمْأ ِتر ي ِم م‬ you shall eat. 48 “ Then will come
them are seven years, and the seven empty after that (period) seven dreadful
heads blighted by the east wind are seven years
ً ‫ن ِإاَّل باَق ِلني‬
‫ال‬ َّ‫ن باَمبا باَقاَّدمْمِبُتمْم باَلِبُه ا‬ َ‫باَيمْأِبُكمْل با‬ (years), which will devour what
of famine. 28 This is the thing which I have ‫( ِبُثاَّم باَيمْأ ِتر ي‬48) ‫ن‬ َ‫صِبُننو با‬ ِ ‫ح‬ ْ‫ ِماَّمبا ِبُت م‬ you shall have laid by in advance
for them,- (all) except a little
spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh
what He is about to do. 29 Indeed seven years
ُ‫عبا ٌم ِفني ِه ِبُيباَغبا ِب‬
‫ث‬ َ‫ك با‬ َ‫ن باَبمْع ِد باَذ ِل با‬ ْ‫ ِم م‬ which you shall have (specially)
guarded.
of great plenty will come throughout all the land 49) ‫ن‬ َ‫صِبُرو با‬ ِ ‫س باَو ِفني ِه باَيمْع‬ ُ‫)الاَّنبا ِب‬ 49 “Then will come after that
of Egypt; 30 but after them seven years of (period) a year in which the people
famine will arise, and all the plenty will be will have abundant water, and in
forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine which they will press (wine and
will deplete the land. 31 So the plenty will not be oil).”
known in the land because of the famine
following, for it will be very severe. 32 And the
dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because
the thing is established by God, and God will
shortly bring it to pass.

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A comparative study

50 So the king said: “Bring him to 1. According to

‫ك امْئِبُتنو ِنر ي ِب ِه باَفباَلاَّمبا‬ ُ‫باَوباَقباباَل امْلباَم ِل ِب‬ me.” But when the messengers Bible Joseph was
King calls ‫جمْع ِإباَل ى‬ ِ ‫سنوِبُل باَقباباَل امْر‬ ُ‫جباباَءِبُه الاَّر ِب‬ َ‫با‬ come to him (Joseph) said: “Go already out of
for you back to your lord, and ask him, prison.
Joseph and ‫سباَنو ِة‬ ْ‫سباَأمْلِبُه باَمبا باَبباِبُل اليِّن م‬ ْ‫ك باَفبا م‬ َ‫باَريِّب با‬ ‘what is the state of mind of the 2. But according to
his refusal ‫ن باَريِّبر ي‬ َّ‫ن ِإ ا‬ َّ‫ن باَأمْي ِدباَيِبُه ا‬ َ‫طمْع با‬ َّ‫ال ِتر ي باَق ا‬ َّ‫ال ا‬ aldies who cut their hands’? for Qur'an proving his
may Lord is certainly well aware innocence was
‫( باَقباباَل باَمبا‬50) ‫ع ِلني ٌم‬ َ‫ن با‬ َّ‫ ِبباَكمْني ِد ِه ا‬ of their snare.” 51 (The king) said more important to
him than his
َ‫س با‬
‫ف‬ ُ‫ن ِبُينو ِب‬ َّ‫ن ِإمْذ باَراباَود ُّت ا‬ َّ‫طِبُبِبُك ا‬ْ‫خ م‬ َ‫با‬ (to the ladies) “what was your
affair when you did seek to seduce freedom.
‫لل باَمبا‬ َّ‫ش ِا‬ َ‫حبا با‬ َ‫ن با‬ َ‫س ِه ِبُقمْل با‬ ِ ‫ن باَنمْف‬ ْ‫ع م‬ َ‫با‬ him from his (true) self?” The 3 It is at these
ladies said: “God preserve us! No instances, that the
ْ‫سنو ٍء باَقباباَل م‬
‫ت‬ ُ‫ن ِب‬ ْ‫عباَلمْني ِه ِم م‬ َ‫ع ِلمْمباَنبا با‬ َ‫با‬ evil we know against him!” Said true moral
َ‫ح با‬
‫ص‬ َ‫ص با‬ ْ‫ح م‬ َ‫ن با‬ َ‫امْمباَرباَأِبُة امْلباَع ِزي ِز ال با‬ the Aziz ‘s wife: “Now is the truth character of
manifest (to all): it was I who prophets do shine
‫س ِه‬ ِ ‫ن باَنمْف‬ ْ‫ع م‬ َ‫ق باَأباَنبا باَراباَود ُّتِبُه با‬ ُّ ‫ح‬ َ‫امْل با‬ sought to seduce him from his in Qur'anic
narratives.
(51) ‫ن‬ َ‫صبا ِد ِقني با‬ َّ‫ن ال ا‬ ْ‫باَو ِإاَّنِبُه باَل ِم م‬ (true) self. He is indeed of those
who are (ever) true (and virtuous)”. 4. The reader can
‫خمْنِبُه‬ ُ‫ك ِلباَنيمْعباَلباَم باَأيِّنر ي باَلمْم باَأ ِب‬ َ‫باَذ ِل با‬ choose whichever
52 (Joseph said) “This (I say) in version he likes.
‫لل ل باَيمْه ِد ي باَكمْنيباَد‬ َّ‫ن ا باَا‬ َّ‫ب باَوباَأ ا‬ ِ ‫ ِببامْلباَغمْني‬ order that I have never been false
ُ‫( باَوباَمبا ِبُأباَبيِّر ِب‬52) ‫ن‬
‫ئ‬ َ‫خبا ِئ ِنني با‬ َ‫امْل با‬ to him in his absence and that God
will never guide the snare of the
‫س باَألاَّمباباَر ٌة‬ َ‫ن الاَّنمْف با‬ َّ‫سر ي ِإ ا‬ ِ ‫باَنمْف‬ false ones.
َّ‫حباَم باَريِّبر ي ِإ ا‬
‫ن‬ ِ ‫سنو ِء ِإاَّل باَمبا باَر‬ ُّ ‫ ِببال‬ 53 “Nor do I absolve my own self
(of blame): the (Human) soul is
53) ‫حني ٌم‬ ِ ‫غِبُفنو ٌر باَر‬ َ‫)باَريِّبر ي با‬ certainly prone to evil. Unless my
Lord do bestow His mercy: but
surely My Lord is oft-forgiving ,
Most Merciful.”
33 “Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning ِ ‫ك امْئِبُتنو ِنر ي ِبه‬ ُ‫باَوباَقباباَل امْلباَم ِل ِب‬ 54 So the king said: “Bring him to 1. Again see the
King Talks and wise man, and set him over the land of me; I will take him specially to economy of words
to Joseph Egypt.34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint ‫سر ي باَفباَلاَّمبا باَكاَّلباَمِبُه‬ِ ‫صِبُه ِلباَنمْف‬ ْ‫خ ِل م‬ ْ‫سباَت م‬ ْ‫باَأ م‬ serve about my own person.” in
officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the Therefore when he had spoken to Qur'anic narrative.
produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful
ٌ ‫ك امْلباَنيمْنوباَم باَلباَدمْيباَنبا باَم ِكني‬
‫ن‬ َ‫باَقباباَل ِإاَّن با‬ him, he said” You are in my
years. 35 And let them gather all the food of ‫عباَل ى‬ َ‫جباَعمْل ِنر ي با‬ ْ‫( باَقباباَل ا م‬54) ‫ن‬ ٌ ‫باَأ ِمني‬ presence, with rank firmly
those good years that are coming, and store up established and fidelity fully
grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let
ٌ ‫ح ِفني‬
‫ظ‬ َ‫ض ِإيِّنر ي با‬ ِ ‫ن اباَألمْر‬ ِ ‫خباَزا ِئ‬ َ‫با‬ proved!. 55 (Joseph) said: “Set me
them keep food in the cities. 36 Then that food 55) ‫ع ِلني ٌم‬ َ‫) با‬ over the store houses of the land: I
will indeed guard them, as one that
shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven
knows (their importance).”
years of famine which shall be in the land of
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A comparative study
Egypt, that the land may not perish during the
famine.” 37 So the advice was good in the eyes of
Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. 38
And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find
such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of
God?”
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as ‫ف ِفر ي‬ َ‫س با‬ ُ‫ك باَماَّكاَّنبا ِلِبُنينو ِب‬ َ‫باَوباَكباَذ ِل با‬ 56 Thus did we established power 1. Qur'an's
God has shown you all this, there is no one as to Joseph in the land to take economy in words
Joseph's discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be over ُ‫حمْني ِب‬
‫ث‬ َ‫ض باَيباَتباَباَّنوِبُأ ِممْنباَهبا با‬ ِ ‫اباَألمْر‬ possession therein as, when or is no less that a
rise my house, and all my people shall be ruled where he pleased. We bestow of miracle.
to power in according to your word; only in regard to the
ْ‫حباَم ِتباَنبا باَم م‬
‫ن‬ ْ‫ب ِبباَر م‬ ُ‫صني ِب‬ ِ ‫شباِبُء ِبُن‬ َ‫باَي با‬ our mercy on whom We please, 2. Not leaving any
Egypt throne will I be greater than you.” 41 And ‫جباَر‬ ْ‫ضنيِبُع باَأ م‬ِ ‫شباِبُء باَول ِبُن‬ َ‫باَن با‬ and We suffer not, to be lost, the thing of
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over rewards of those who do good. 57 importance,
all the land of Egypt.”
‫جِبُر‬
ْ‫( باَوباَأل م‬56) ‫ن‬ َ‫س ِنني با‬ ِ ‫ح‬ ْ‫امْلِبُم م‬ But verily the reward of the always keeping
the purpose in
42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand ‫ن آباَمِبُننوا‬ َ‫خمْني ٌر ِلاَّل ِذي با‬ َ‫خباَر ِة با‬ ِ ‫ال‬ hereafter is the best, for those who
believe, and are constant in mind.
and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him
in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain
57) ‫ن‬ َ‫)باَوباَكباِبُننوا باَياَّتِبُقنو با‬ righteousness.
around his neck. 43 And he had him ride in the
second chariot which he had; and they cried out
before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over
all the land of Egypt 44 Pharaoh also said to
Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent
no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of
Egypt.”
45 And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath- 1. Qur'an does not
Joseph 's Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the mention about this
life daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out "historian" side of
in Egypt over all the land of Egypt. 46 Joseph was thirty years old Joseph's life in
when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Egypt
Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went 2 It is concerned
throughout all the land of Egypt. 47 Now in the seven more with the
plentiful years the ground brought forth abundantly. 48 So "spiritual" side of
he gathered up all the food of the seven years which the story.
were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the
cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which
surrounded them. 49 Joseph gathered very much grain,
as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it
was immeasurable.
50 And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of
famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-
Pherah priest of On, bore to him. 51 Joseph called the

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A comparative study
name of the firstborn Manasseh:[a] “For God has made
me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.” 52 And
the name of the second he called Ephraim:[b] “For God
has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
1 Here also Qur'an
Years of 53 Then the seven years of plenty which were in the is silent as this
Famine in land of Egypt ended, 54 and the seven years of famine was already
Egypt began to come, as Joseph had said. The famine was in implied in the
all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. 55 interpretation of
So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people dream
cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the 2. No need to
Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.” repeat the same
56 The famine was over all the face of the earth, and story
Joseph opened all the storehouses [c] and sold to the 3. Qur’an
Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of "Economy" in the
Egypt. 57 So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to use of words is
buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands. miraculous.
42.1 When Jacob saw that there was grain in ‫خِبُلنوا‬
َ‫ف باَفباَد با‬ َ‫س با‬ ُ‫خباَنوِبُة ِبُينو ِب‬ ْ‫جباباَء ِإ م‬
َ‫باَو با‬ 58 Then came Joseph’s brethren: 1. Can there be a
Joseph 's Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at they entered his presence and he better example of
Brothers one another?” 2 And he said, “Indeed I have ‫عباَلمْني ِه باَفباَعباَرباَفِبُهمْم باَوِبُهمْم باَلِبُه‬
َ‫با‬ knew them, but they knew him not. "economy" of
come to heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to words?
Egypt that place and buy for us there, that we may live
58) ‫ن‬ َ‫)ِبُمن ِكِبُرو با‬ 2. What is
and not die.” expressed in one
3 So Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy paragraph of Bible
is expressed in
grain in Egypt. 4 But Jacob did not send Joseph’s
one line in Qur'an!
brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said,
“Lest some calamity befall him.” 5 And the sons of
Israel went to buy grain among those who
journeyed, for the famine was in the land of
Canaan. 6 Now Joseph was governor over the
land; and it was he who sold to all the people of
the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed
down before him with their faces to the earth. 7
Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but
he acted as a stranger to them and spoke roughly
to them. Then he said to them, “Where do you
come from?” And they said, “From the land of
Canaan to buy food.” 8 So Joseph recognized his
brothers, but they did not recognize him.

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A comparative study

9 Then Joseph remembered the dreams which 1 Qur'an does not

he had dreamed about them, and said to them, repeat this portion,
Joseph “You are spies! You have come to see the as it is not befitting
plays nakedness of the land!” 10 And they said to him, the majesty of his
'Cat & “No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy position
Mouse' food. 11 We are all one man’s sons; we are 2. How could he
with honest men; your servants are not spies.” take advantage of
brothers his position to his
12 But he said to them, “No, but you have come
own brothers?
to see the nakedness of the land.”
3 Putting an
13 And they said, “Your servants are twelve innocent man in
brothers, the sons of one man in the land of prison is not
Canaan; and in fact, the youngest is with our befitting a prophet
father today, and one is no more.” of God
14 But Joseph said to them, “It is as I spoke to 4. Falsely
you, saying, ‘You are spies!’ 15 In this manner accusing them as
you shall be tested: By the life of Pharaoh, you being 'spies' is
shall not leave this place unless your youngest also not befitting a
brother comes here. 16 Send one of you, and let prophet of God.
him bring your brother; and you shall be kept in
prison, that your words may be tested to see
whether there is any truth in you; or else, by the
life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies!” 17 So he
put them all together in prison three days.
18 Then Joseph said to them the third day, “Do َ‫جباَهبا ِز ِهمْم باَقبالبا‬ َ‫جاَّهباَزِبُهمْم ِب با‬َ‫باَوباَلاَّمبا با‬ 59 And when he had furnished 1. Compare the
Joseph this and live, for I fear God: 19 If you are honest them forth with provisions two version and
asks men, let one of your brothers be confined to your ‫ن باَأ ِبنيِبُكمْم باَأل‬ ْ‫خ باَلِبُكمْم ِم م‬ٍ ‫امْئِبُتنو ِنر ي ِبباَأ‬ (suitable) for them, he said: “Bring judge which is
for his prison house; but you, go and carry grain for the to me a brother you have, of the more befitting to a
brother famine of your houses. 20 And bring your
‫ن باَأيِّنر ي ِبُأو ِفر ي امْلباَكمْنيباَل باَوباَأباَنبا‬ َ‫باَتباَرمْو با‬ same father as yourself, (but a prophet of God
to come to youngest brother to me; so your words will be ‫ن باَلمْم‬ ْ‫( باَف ِإ م‬59) ‫ن‬ َ‫خمْنيِبُر امْلِبُمن ِز ِلني با‬
َ‫با‬ different mother): See you not that 2. Qur'an shows
Egypt verified, and you shall not die.” I pay out full measure, and that I exemplary conduct
And they did so. 21 Then they said to one
‫عن ِد ي‬ ِ ‫باَتمْأِبُتنو ِنر ي ِب ِه باَفال باَكمْنيباَل باَلِبُكمْم‬ do provide the best hospitality? 60 of Joseph in all his
dealings with his
another, “We are truly guilty concerning our ْ ‫لاو‬
‫ا‬ ُ‫قلاو‬ َ (60) ‫ن‬ ِ ‫باَول باَتمْقباَرِبُبنو‬ “ Now if you bring him not to me,
You shall have no measure (of brothers
brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when
he pleaded with us, and we would not hear;
ُ ‫بلا‬
‫ه‬ َ‫ه أ‬ ُ‫نو‬ ْ ‫ع‬ َ‫د‬ ُ‫وو‬ ِ‫راد‬ َ‫ن‬ ُ‫سو‬ َ corn) from me, nor shall you 4. In Qur'an the
(even) come near me.” 61 They bringing of brother
therefore this distress has come upon us.” )‫ن‬ َ‫لاو‬ ُ‫عو‬ ِ‫فلال‬ َ‫ل‬ َ ‫نلا‬ َّ‫وِإا‬ َ said: “ We shall certainly seek to is voluntarily linked
22 And Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not
speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’;
61 get our wish about him from his with the bringing of
father: Indeed we shall do it.” brother
and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his 3. In Bible, it is
blood is now required of us.” 23 But they did not cohersive,

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 Story of Prophet Joseph as given in Bible (Gen 37:50) and in Qur’an (Chapter 12)-
A comparative study
know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke because one of
to them through an interpreter. 24 And he turned the brother is held
himself away from them and wept. Then he as ransom, we
returned to them again, and talked with them. can see a
And he took Simeon from them and bound him vindictive nature.
before their eyes.

The Money
‫نه‬
ِ‫ل‬ ِ‫يلال‬ َ‫ت‬ ْ ‫ف‬
ِ‫لل‬ِ‫ل ل‬َ‫قلا‬َ‫و‬َ 62 And (Joseph) told his
servants to put
1. As per Qur'an,
the brothers did
25 Then Joseph gave a command to fill their sacks
is with grain, to restore every man’s money to his
ْ‫هع‬
‫م‬ ُ ‫ت‬
َ‫ع‬ َ‫ضلا‬ َ‫ب‬ ِ‫ا د‬
ْ ‫لاو‬ ُ‫عو‬
َ‫ج‬ْ‫اع‬ their stock-in-trade (with which not find that their
returned to they had bartered) into their money was
the
sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. ْ‫هع‬
‫م‬ ُ ‫ل‬َّ‫عا‬
َ‫ل‬ َ‫م‬ ْ‫لع‬ِ‫حلال‬
ِ‫د‬ َ‫ر‬ِ‫ف د‬
ِ saddlebags, so they should returned until they
Thus he did for them. 26 So they loaded their
brothers
donkeys with the grain and departed from there.
‫ذا‬َ‫نلا ِإإ ا‬َ‫فاوإ ا‬
َ ُ‫رو‬
ِ‫عد‬
ْ‫يع‬
َ know it only when they returned reached their
to their people, in order that destination.
27 But as one of them opened his sack to give his َ‫ا ِإ‬
‫ل‬ ْ ‫باو‬ ُ ‫ل‬
َ‫ق‬َ‫ان‬ they might come back 2. As per Bible,
donkey feed at the encampment, he saw his
money; and there it was, in the mouth of his
ْ‫هع‬
‫م‬ ُ ‫ل‬ َّ‫عا‬
َ‫ل‬َ‫م‬ ْ‫هع‬
ِ‫لد‬
ِ‫هل‬
ْ‫أع‬ they discovered it
on the way
sack. 28 So he said to his brothers, “My money 62) ‫ن‬ َ‫عاو‬ ُ ‫ج‬
ِ‫رد‬ َ)
ْ ‫ي‬ 3. The difference
has been restored, and there it is, in my sack!” is minor one, but it
Then their hearts failed them and they were makes difference
afraid, saying to one another, “What is this that in narrative in
God has done to us?” coming verses.
29 Then they went to Jacob their father in the 63 Now when they returned to 1' Qur'anic version
Brothers land of Canaan and told him all that had
. their father, they said: “O our is always short
Talk happened to them, saying: 30 “The man who is ‫لعع‬ َ‫عععاوا ِإ‬ ُ ‫ج‬ِ‫رد‬
َ ‫ملا‬َّ‫لا‬
َ‫ف‬ َ father! No more measure of grain and precise
to their lord of the land spoke roughly to us, and took us shall we get (unless we take our 2. In Bible there is
father for
‫يععلا‬ َ‫ا‬ ْ ‫لاو‬
ُ‫قلاو‬ َ‫م‬ ْ‫هع‬
ِ‫بيد‬ ِ‫أد‬ brother): so send our brother with so much repetition
for spies of the country. 31 But we said to him,
the ‘We are honest men; we are not spies. 32 We are ‫نععلا‬ َّ‫ما‬
ِ‫ع ل‬
َ‫نعع‬ ِ‫مل‬ُ ‫نلا‬
َ‫بلا‬ َ‫أ‬ us, that we may get our measure; that it causes
younger and we indeed take every care of distraction
brother
twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no ْ ‫سععع‬
‫ل‬ ِ‫رل‬
ْ ‫فَأ‬َ‫ل‬ ُ‫يعععو‬ ْ‫كع‬
َ‫ل‬ ْ ‫ا‬ him.” 64 He said: “Shall I trust you
more, and the youngest is with our father this day
in the land of Canaan.’ 33 Then the man, the lord ْ ‫ت‬
‫ل‬ َ‫ك‬ْ ‫ن‬َ ‫نلا‬ َ‫خلا‬ َ‫نلا أ‬ َ‫ع‬ َ‫م‬ َ with him with any result other than
when I trusted you with his brother
of the country, said to us, ‘By this I will know that )‫ن‬ َ‫ظاو‬ ُ‫فو‬
ِ‫للال‬َ‫ه إ ا‬
َ ُ‫لو‬َ ‫نلا‬َّ‫وِإا‬ َ aforetime? But God is the best to
you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers
here with me, take food for the famine of your ْ ‫هععع‬
‫ل‬ َ‫ل‬ َ‫قعععلا‬ َ (63 take care (of him) and He is the
Most Merciful of those who show
households, and be gone. 34 And bring your َّ ‫ه ِإك‬
‫ال‬ ِ‫يععل‬ ْ‫لع‬
َ‫ع‬ َ‫م‬ ْ‫كععع‬ ُ‫نو‬
ُ‫مو‬َ‫آ‬ mercy!.”
youngest brother to me; so I shall know that you
are not spies, but that you are honest men. I will ‫لعع ى‬ َ‫ع‬ َ‫م‬ ْ‫كع‬
ُ‫تو‬ ُ‫منو‬ ِ‫ملا أل‬ َ‫ك‬ َ
grant your brother to you, and you may trade in ُ ‫فععلاْيَخ‬
َّ‫ه‬
‫لل‬ َ‫ل‬ ُ‫بو‬
ْ‫قع‬َ ‫م ن‬ ِ‫ه ل‬
ِ‫خيل‬ ِ‫أل‬
the land.’”
َ‫هعع‬
‫او‬ ُ ‫و‬
َ ‫ظععلا‬ ً‫ف ا‬
ِ‫حلال‬َ ‫يعع‬ ٌ ‫خاَح‬
ْ َ
64) ‫ني‬ َ‫ح‬ِ‫رال‬
ِ‫ل‬ َّ‫م الا‬ ُ ‫ح‬
َ‫ر‬ْ ‫)أ‬
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 Story of Prophet Joseph as given in Bible (Gen 37:50) and in Qur’an (Chapter 12)-
A comparative study

35 Then it happened as they emptied their sacks, ‫ج جِبُدوا‬ َ‫عِبُهمْم باَو با‬َ‫حججنوا باَمباَتججبا با‬ ُ‫باَوباَلاَّمبا باَفباَت ِب‬ 65 Then wherein they opened their 1. The money was
Jacob that surprisingly each man’s bundle of money baggage, they found their stock-in- already discovered
Refuses was in his sack; and when they and their father ‫ت ِإباَلمْني ِهمْم باَقباِبُلنوا باَيبا‬ ْ‫عباَتِبُهمْم ِبُراَّد م‬ َ‫ضبا با‬ َ‫ ِب با‬ trade had been returned to them, on the way! There
to part with saw the bundles of money, they were afraid 36 they said: “O our father! What is a clear
Benjamin And Jacob their father said to them, “You have
‫عِبُتباَنبا‬
َ‫ضججبا با‬َ‫باَأباَبباباَنبا باَمبا باَنمْب ِغججر ي باَه ج ِذ ِه ِب با‬ (more) can we desire? This our contradiction here
bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no ‫ت ِإباَلمْنيباَنججججبا باَوباَن ِمنيججججِبُر باَأمْهباَلباَنججججبا‬ ْ‫ِبُراَّد م‬ stock-in-trade has been returned to 2. Qur'an 's
more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these us: so we shall get (more) food for version is more
things are against me.”
‫خباباَنججبا باَوباَنججمْزباَداِبُد باَكمْنيججباَل‬ َ‫ظ باَأ با‬ ُ‫حباَفجج ِب‬ ْ‫باَوباَن م‬ our family; we shall take care of consistent!
65) ‫سني ٌر‬ ِ ‫ك باَكمْني ٌل باَي‬ َ‫)باَب ِعني ٍر باَذ ِل با‬ our brother; and add (at the same
time) a full camel’s load (of grain
to our provisions). This is but a
small quantity.
Jacob 66 (Jacob) said: “Never will I send 1. Don't you
agrees
‫حاَّت ى‬
َ‫سباَلِبُه باَمباَعِبُكمْم با‬
ِ ‫ن ِبُأمْر‬ْ‫باَقباباَل باَل م‬ him with you until you swear a marvel at the
but puts َّ‫ن ا ِا‬
‫لل‬ ْ‫ِبُتمْؤِبُتنو ِنر ي باَممْنو ِثق ًبا ِم م‬ solemn oath to me, in God’s name, strange suggestion
condition that you will be sure to bring him of Reuben!
‫ط ِبِبُكمْم‬ َ‫حبا با‬ َ‫ن ِبُي با‬
ْ‫باَلباَتمْأِبُتنوباَن ِنر ي ِب ِه ِإاَّل باَأ م‬ back to me unless you are yourself 2. I think that is
َّ‫باَفباَلاَّمبا آباَتمْنوِبُه باَممْنو ِثباَقِبُهمْم باَقباباَل ا ِبُا‬
‫لل‬ hemmed in (and made powerless). reason why
And when they had sworn their vicarious
66) ‫عباَل ى باَمبا باَنِبُقنوِبُل باَو ِكني ٌل‬ َ‫) با‬ solemn oath, he said: “Over all that punishment
we say, be God the Witness and concept comes in
Guardian!” Christianity! Some
37 Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying,
body else to pay
“Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to the price for your
you; put him in my hands, and I will bring him sin!
back to you.” 38 But he said, “My son shall not 3. Qur'an depicts
go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he Jacob in much
is left alone. If any calamity should befall him better light. He is
along the way in which you go, then you would afraid, but he feels
bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the he has no other
grave.” choice
Jacob's 1 Now the famine was severe in the land. 2 And ْ‫خِبُلنوا ِمنم‬ ُ‫باَوباَقباباَل باَيبا باَب ِنر ي ل باَتمْد ِب‬ 67 Further he said: “O my sons! 1. Unnecessary
advice it came to pass, when they had eaten up the Enter all (of you) by one gate: You rambling in Bible,
to his sons grain which they had brought from Egypt, that ٍ ‫ن باَأمْبباَنوا‬
‫ب‬ ْ‫خِبُلنوا ِم م‬ ُ‫ح ٍد باَوامْد ِب‬ ِ ‫ب باَوا‬ ٍ ‫باَببا‬ enter by different gates. Not that I the same story is
on entering their father said to them, “Go back, buy us a little can profit you aught against God repeated again
Egypt food.” 3 But Judah spoke to him, saying, “The
ْ‫عنِبُكمْم ِم م‬
‫ن‬ َ‫غ ِنر ي با‬ ْ‫ِبُمباَتباَفيِّرباَق ٍة باَوباَمبا ِبُأ م‬ (with my advice); None can and again, till one
man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not ‫حمْكِبُم ِإاَّل‬ ُ‫ن امْل ِب‬ ْ‫ر ي ٍء ِإ م‬ ْ‫ش م‬ َ‫ن با‬ ْ‫لل ِم م‬ َّ‫ا ِا‬ command except God: on Him do I gets tired of it!
see my face unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If put my trust: and let all that trust 2. Qur'an always
you send our brother with us, we will go down
‫عباَلمْني ِه‬
َ‫ت باَو با‬ ُ‫عباَلمْني ِه باَتباَنواَّكمْل ِب‬
َ‫لل با‬ َّ‫ ِا‬ put their trust on Him.” 68 And chooses very few
words and gives
and buy you food. 5 But if you will not send him, (67) ‫ن‬ َ‫باَفمْلباَنيباَتباَنواَّكمْل امْلِبُمباَتباَنويِّكِبُلنو با‬ when they entered in the manner
their father had enjoined, it did not the gist of matter
we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You
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 Story of Prophet Joseph as given in Bible (Gen 37:50) and in Qur’an (Chapter 12)-
A comparative study
shall not see my face unless your brother is with ْ‫ث باَأباَمباَرِبُهمم‬ ُ‫حمْني ِب‬
َ‫ن با‬ ْ‫خِبُلنوا ِم م‬ َ‫باَوباَلاَّمبا باَد با‬ profit them in the least against (the on hand
you.’” plan of) God: It was but a necessity
6 And Israel said, “Why did you deal so ْ‫عمْنِبُهمْم ِم م‬
‫ن‬ َ‫ن ِبُيمْغ ِنر ي با‬ َ‫باَأِبُبنوِبُهمْم باَمبا باَكبا با‬ of Jacob’s souls, which he
wrongfully with me as to tell the man whether discharged. For he was by our
you had still another brother?”
‫ج ًة ِفر ي‬ َ‫حبا با‬َ‫ر ي ٍء ِإاَّل با‬ ْ‫ش م‬َ‫ن با‬ ْ‫لل ِم م‬ َّ‫ا ِا‬ instructions, full of knowledge
7 But they said, “The man asked us pointedly ‫ضباباَهبا باَو ِإاَّنِبُه‬ َ‫ب باَق با‬ َ‫س باَيمْعِبُقنو با‬ ِ ‫باَنمْف‬ (and experience): but most men
about ourselves and our family, saying, ‘Is your know not.
father still alive? Have you another brother?’ And
َّ‫عاَّلمْمباَنباِبُه باَوباَل ِك ا‬
‫ن‬ َ‫عمْل ٍم ِلباَمبا با‬ ِ ‫باَلِبُذو‬
we told him according to these words. Could we 68) ‫ن‬ َ‫س ل باَيمْعباَلِبُمنو با‬ ِ ‫باَأمْكباَثباَر الاَّنبا‬
possibly have known that he would say, ‘Bring
your brother down’?”
8 Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the
lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we
may live and not die, both we and you and also
our little ones. 9 I myself will be surety for him;
from my hand you shall require him. If I do not
bring him back to you and set him before you,
then let me bear the blame forever.
43.15 So the men took that present and ‫ف آباَو ى‬ َ‫س با‬ ُ‫عباَل ى ِبُينو ِب‬ َ‫خِبُلنوا با‬ َ‫باَوباَلاَّمبا باَد با‬ 69 Now when they came into 1 Can any thing be
Benjamin Benjamin, Joseph’s presence, he received his shorter and more
comes and they took double money in their hand, and َ‫خنو با‬
‫ك‬ ُ‫خباِبُه باَقباباَل ِإيِّنر ي باَأباَنبا باَأ ِب‬َ‫ ِإباَلمْني ِه باَأ با‬ (full) brother to stay with him. He precise than the
to Egypt arose and went down to Egypt; and they stood said (to him): “Behold! I am your Qur'anic
before Joseph. 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin
َ‫س ِبباَمبا باَكباِبُننوا باَيمْعباَمِبُلنو با‬
‫ن‬ ْ‫باَفال باَتمْبباَت ِئ م‬ (own) brother; so grieve not at statement?
with them, he said to the steward of his house, 69)) aught of their doings.” 2. Compare it with
“Take these men to my home, and slaughter an the confused
statements and
animal and make ready; for these men will dine
ramblings of Bible.
with me at noon.” 17 Then the man did as
Joseph ordered, and the man brought the men
into Joseph’s house.
18 Now the men were afraid because they were
brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is
because of the money, which was returned in our
sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so
that he may make a case against us and seize us,
to take us as slaves with our donkeys.”
19 When they drew near to the steward of
Joseph’s house, they talked with him at the door
of the house, 20 and said, “O sir, we indeed came
down the first time to buy food; 21 but it
happened, when we came to the encampment,

21of37
 Story of Prophet Joseph as given in Bible (Gen 37:50) and in Qur’an (Chapter 12)-
A comparative study
that we opened our sacks, and there, each man’s
money was in the mouth of his sack, our money
in full weight; so we have brought it back in our
hand. 22 And we have brought down other
money in our hands to buy food. We do not know
who put our money in our
Benjamin 23 But he said, “Peace be with you, do not 1. Bible narration
comes be afraid. Your God and the God of your father goes on & on
to Egypt has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your endlessly.
(Contd) money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.
24 So the man brought the men into Joseph’s
house and gave them water, and they washed
their feet; and he gave their donkeys feed. 25
Then they made the present ready for Joseph’s
coming at noon, for they heard that they would
eat bread there.
26 And when Joseph came home, they brought
him the present which was in their hand into the
house, and bowed down before him to the earth.
27 Then he asked them about their well-being,
and said, “Is your father well, the old man of
whom you spoke? Is he still alive?”
28 And they answered, “Your servant our father
is in good health; he is still alive.” And they
bowed their heads down and prostrated
themselves.
29 Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother
Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this
your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?”
And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.”
30 Now his heart yearned for his brother; so
Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to
weep. And he went into his chamber and wept
there. 31 Then he washed his face and came out;
and he restrained himself, and said, “Serve the
bread.” 32 So they set him a place by himself,
and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who
ate with him by themselves; because the
Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews,
for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. 33

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 Story of Prophet Joseph as given in Bible (Gen 37:50) and in Qur’an (Chapter 12)-
A comparative study
And they sat before him, the firstborn according
to his birthright and the youngest according to
his youth; and the men looked in astonishment at
one another. 34 Then he took servings to them
from before him, but Benjamin’s serving was five
times as much as any of theirs. So they drank
and were merry with him.
44.1 And he commanded the steward of his ‫جباَعباَل‬ َ‫جباَهبا ِز ِهمْم با‬ َ‫جاَّهباَزِبُهمْم ِب با‬ َ‫باَفباَلاَّمبا با‬ 70 At length we had furnished 1 Again see the
Joseph house, them forth with provisions economy of words
Hides saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much ‫خني ِه ِبُثاَّم‬ِ ‫ح ِل باَأ‬ْ‫سباَقباباَيباَة ِفر ي باَر م‬ ِّ‫ال ي‬ (suitable) for them, he put the used in Qur'an.
the Cup as they can carry, and put each man’s money in drinking cup into his brother’s 2 Is it a Human
the mouth of his sack. 2 Also put my cup, the
‫ن باَأاَّيِبُتباَهبا امْل ِعنيِبُر ِإاَّنِبُكمْم‬
ٌ ‫ن ِبُمباَؤيِّذ‬َ‫باَأاَّذ با‬ saddlebag. Then shouted out a effort?
silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the 70) ‫ن‬ َ‫سبا ِرِبُقنو با‬َ‫)باَل با‬ crier: “O you (in) the caravan!
youngest, and his grain money.” So he did Behold! You are thieves, without
according to the word that Joseph had spoken. 3 doubt!”
)
As soon as the morning dawned, the men were
sent away, they and their donkeys. When they
had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off,
Joseph said to his steward, “Get up, follow the
men; and when you overtake them, say to them,
‘Why have you repaid evil for good? 5 Is not this
the one from which my lord drinks, and with
which he indeed practices divination? You have
done evil in so doing.’”6 So he overtook them,
and he spoke to them these same word
7 And they said to him, “Why does my lord say ‫عباَلمْني ِهججمْم باَمججباباَذا‬ َ‫باَقججباِبُلنوا باَوباَأمْقباَبِبُلججنوا با‬ 71 They said turning towards 1. The two version
Arguments these words? Far be it from us that your servants them: “What is that you miss?” 72 tally here almost
about the should do such a thing. 8 Look, we brought back ‫( باَقجججباِبُلنوا باَنمْف ِقجججِبُد‬71) ‫ن‬ َ‫باَتمْف ِقجججِبُدو با‬ They said: “ We miss the great word by word.
theft charge to you from the land of Canaan the money which beaker of the king; for him who 2. But Qur'anic
we found in the mouth of our sacks. How then
‫جججباباَء ِب ج ِه‬ َ‫ن با‬ ْ‫ك باَو ِلباَم ج م‬ ِ ‫ع امْلباَم ِل‬ َ‫صباَنوا با‬ ُ‫ِب‬ produce it, is (the reward of) a version has more
could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s ) ‫عنيج ٌم‬ ِ ‫حمْمجِبُل باَب ِعنيج ٍر باَوباَأباَنججبا ِبج ِه باَز‬ ِ camels load; I will be bound by grace.
house? 9 With whomever of your servants it is it.”73 (the brothers) said: “By God!
found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s
‫ع ِلمْمِبُتمْم باَمججبا‬ َ‫لل باَلباَقمْد با‬َّ‫( باَقباِبُلنوا باَتبا ِا‬72 Well you know that we came not
slaves.” ‫ض باَوباَمججبا‬ ِ ‫سجباَد ِفججر ي اباَألمْر‬ ِ ‫جمْئباَنبا ِلِبُنمْف‬ ِ to make mischief in the land and
we are no thieves!” 74 (The
10 And he said, “Now also let it be according to
your words; he with whom it is found shall be my
‫( باَق جباِبُلنوا باَفباَمججبا‬73) ‫ن‬ َ‫سبا ِر ِقني با‬ َ‫ِبُكاَّنبا با‬ Egyptians) said: “What then shall
be the penalty of this, if you are
slave, and you shall be blameless. (74) ‫ن‬ َ‫ن ِبُكنِبُتمْم باَكججبا ِذ ِبني با‬ ْ‫جباَزاِبُؤِبُه ِإ م‬ َ‫با‬ (proved) to have lied?” 75 They
‫ج جباَد ِفججر ي‬ ِ ‫ن ِبُو‬ ْ‫ج جباَزاِبُؤِبُه باَم ج م‬ َ‫باَق جباِبُلنوا با‬ Said: “The penalty should be that
in he in whose saddle-bag it is
َ‫ججججباَزاِبُؤِبُه باَكجججباَذ ِل با‬
‫ك‬ َ‫ح ِلججج ِه باَفِبُهجججباَنو با‬ ْ‫باَر م‬ found, should be held (as

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 Story of Prophet Joseph as given in Bible (Gen 37:50) and in Qur’an (Chapter 12)-
A comparative study
bondmen) to atone for the (crime).
75) ‫ن‬
َ‫ظبا ِل ِمني با‬
َّ‫ج ِز ي ال ا‬
ْ‫باَن م‬ Thus it is we punish the wrong
doers!”
11 Then each man speedily let down his sack to ِ ‫عباء‬ َ‫عباَني ِت ِهمْم باَقمْبباَل ِو با‬ ِ ‫باَفباَبباَدباَأ ِبباَأمْو‬ 1. Qur'an explains
The Thief is the ground, and each opened his sack. 12 So he 76 So he began (the search) with the motive behind
Caught searched. He began with the oldest and left off ْ‫جباَهبا ِم م‬
‫ن‬ َ‫خباَر با‬ ْ‫سباَت م‬ْ‫خني ِه ِبُثاَّم ا م‬ ِ ‫باَأ‬ their baggage, before (he came to)
the baggage of his brother; at
Joseph's behavior.
with the youngest; and the cup was found in 2. Otherwise the
Benjamin’s sack. 13 Then they tore their clothes,
‫ك ِكمْدباَنبا‬ َ‫خني ِه باَكباَذ ِل با‬ ِ ‫عبا ِء باَأ‬ َ‫ ِو با‬ length he brought it out of his two versions are
brother’s baggage. Thus did we
and each man loaded his donkey and returned to ‫خباِبُه‬
َ‫خباَذ باَأ با‬ ُ‫ن ِلباَنيمْأ ِب‬َ‫ف باَمبا باَكبا با‬ َ‫س با‬ ُ‫ ِلِبُنينو ِب‬ plan for Joseph. He could not take
similar.
the city.
‫شباباَء‬َ‫ن باَي با‬ ْ‫ك ِإاَّل باَأ م‬ ِ ‫ن امْلباَم ِل‬ ِ ‫ ِفر ي ِدي‬ his brother by the law of the king
except that God willed it so. We
‫شباِبُء‬ َ‫ن باَن با‬ ْ‫ت باَم م‬ ٍ ‫جبا‬ َ‫لل باَنمْرباَفِبُع باَدباَر با‬
َّ‫ا ِبُا‬ raise to degrees (of wisdom) whom
‫ع ِلني ٌم‬ َ‫عمْل ٍم با‬ ِ ‫ق ِبُكيِّل ِذ ي‬ َ‫باَوباَفمْنو با‬ We please: but over all endued
with knowledge in One, the All
Knowing.
77 They said: “If he steals, there 1. Here also the
Brothers
ٌ ‫ق باَأ‬
‫خ‬ َ‫سباَر با‬ َ‫ق باَفباَقمْد با‬ ْ‫س ِر م‬ ْ‫ن باَي م‬ ْ‫باَقباِبُلنوا ِإ م‬ was a brother of his who did steal two versions tally
beseech ُ‫س ِب‬
‫ف‬ ُ‫ساَّرباَهبا ِبُينو ِب‬ َ‫ن باَقمْبِبُل باَفباَأ با‬ ْ‫باَلِبُه ِم م‬ before him.” But these things did each other, there
Joseph Joseph keep locked in his heart, is choice of words
14 So Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s ‫س ِه باَوباَلمْم ِبُيمْب ِدباَهبا باَلِبُهمْم باَقباباَل‬ ِ ‫ ِفر ي باَنمْف‬ revealing not the secrets to them. and as usual,
house, and he was still there; and they fell before
him on the ground. 15 And Joseph said to them, ‫عباَلِبُم ِبباَمبا‬ ْ‫لل باَأ م‬َّ‫ش ٌّر باَمباَكبان ًبا باَوا ِبُا‬ َ‫باَأمْنِبُتمْم با‬ He (simply) said to (himself) “You Qur’an version is
are the worse situated; and God more graceful.
“What deed is this you have done? Did you not ‫( باَقباِبُلنوا باَيبا باَأ ُّيباَهبا‬77) ‫ن‬ َ‫صِبُفنو با‬ ِ ‫باَت‬ knows best the truth of what you
know that such a man as I can certainly practice
divination?” 16 Then Judah said, “What shall we ‫شمْنيخ ًبا باَك ِبنير ًا‬ َ‫ن باَلِبُه باَأب ًبا با‬ َّ‫امْلباَع ِزيِبُز ِإ ا‬ assert!” 78 They said: “O exalted
one! Behold he has a father, aged
say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how ْ‫ك ِم م‬
‫ن‬ َ‫حباَدباَنبا باَمباَكباباَنِبُه ِإاَّنبا باَنباَرا با‬ َ‫خمْذ باَأ با‬ ُ‫باَف ِب‬ and venerable, (who will grieve for
shall we clear ourselves? God has found out the him); so take one of us in his place;
iniquity of your servants; here we are, my lord’s ‫( باَقباباَل باَمباَعباباَذ‬78) ‫ن‬ َ‫س ِنني با‬ ِ ‫ح‬ ْ‫امْلِبُم م‬ for we see that you are (gracious)
slaves, both we and he also with whom the cup ‫جمْدباَنبا‬َ‫ن باَو با‬ ْ‫خباَذ ِإاَّل باَم م‬ ُ‫ن باَنمْأ ِب‬ ْ‫لل باَأ م‬
َّ‫ا ِا‬ in doing good.” 79 He said: “God
was found.” 17 But he said, “Far be it from me forbid that we take other than him
that I should do so; the man in whose hand the ‫ظبا ِلِبُمنون‬ َ‫عمْنباَدِبُه ِإاَّنبا ِإذ ًا باَل با‬ ِ ‫عباَنبا‬ َ‫باَمباَتبا با‬ with whom we found our property:
cup was found, he shall be my slave. And as for indeed (if we did so), we should be
you, go up in peace to your father.” acting wrongfully.”
18 Then Judah came near to him and said: “O my ‫صنوا‬ ُ‫خباَل ِب‬
َ‫سنوا ِممْنِبُه با‬ ُ‫سباَتمْنيباَئ ِب‬ْ‫باَفباَلاَّمبا ا م‬ 80 Now when they saw no hope of 1. Here Qur'anic
Judah lord, please let your servant speak a word in my his (yielding), they held a version is totally
speaks lord’s hearing, and do not let your anger burn ‫جًاّنيبا باَقباباَل باَك ِبنيِبُرِبُهمْم باَأباَلمْم باَتمْعباَلِبُمنوا‬ ِ ‫باَن‬ conference in private. The leader different from
for against your servant; for you are even like among them said: “You know that Bible.
Benjamin Pharaoh. 19 My lord asked his servants, saying,
‫عباَلمْنيِبُكمْم باَممْنو ِثق ًبا‬
َ‫خباَذ با‬ َ‫ن باَأباَبباِبُكمْم باَقمْد باَأ با‬ َّ‫باَأ ا‬ your father did take an oath from 2. Brothers return
‘Have you a father or a brother?’ 20 And we said ‫ن باَقمْبِبُل باَمبا باَفاَّرطِبُتمْم‬ ْ‫لل باَو ِم م‬ َّ‫ن ا ِا‬
ْ‫ ِم م‬ you in God’s name, and how back to their house
to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a before this, you did fail in your and are sent back
child of his old age, who is young; his brother is
َ‫ح اباَألمْر با‬
‫ض‬ َ‫ن باَأمْبباَر با‬ْ‫ف باَفباَل م‬ َ‫س با‬ ُ‫ ِفر ي ِبُينو ِب‬ duty with Joseph? Therefore I will to look for Joseph
not leave the land until my father by their father.
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 Story of Prophet Joseph as given in Bible (Gen 37:50) and in Qur’an (Chapter 12)-
A comparative study
3. The two
َ‫حِبُكمبا‬ ْ‫ن ِلر ي باَأ ِبر ي باَأمْو باَي م‬ َ‫حاَّت ى باَيمْأباَذ با‬ َ‫با‬ versions are so
dead, and he alone is left of his mother’s
)‫ن‬ َ‫حبا ِك ِمني با‬ َ‫خمْنيِبُر امْل با‬ َ‫لل ِلر ي باَوِبُهباَنو با‬ َّ‫ا ِبُا‬ different, it is up to
reader to select
children, and his father loves him.’ 21 Then you ‫جِبُعنوا ِإباَل ى باَأ ِبنيِبُكمْم‬ ِ ‫( امْر‬80 whichever he likes.
said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, permits me, or God commands me;
that I may set my eyes on him.’ 22 And we said
َ‫سباَر با‬
‫ق‬ َ‫ك با‬ َ‫ن امْبباَن با‬ َّ‫باَفِبُقنوِبُلنوا باَيبا باَأباَبباباَنبا ِإ ا‬ and He is the best to command. 81
to my lord, ‘The lad cannot leave his father, for if ‫ع ِلمْمباَنبا باَوباَمبا‬ َ‫ش ِهمْدباَنبا ِإاَّل ِبباَمبا با‬ َ‫باَوباَمبا با‬ “You turn back to your father, and
say ‘O our father! Behold! Your
he should leave his father, his father would die.’
23 But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your (81) ‫ن‬ َ‫ظني با‬ ِ ‫ب حبا ِف‬ ِ ‫ِبُكاَّنبا ِلمْلباَغمْني‬ son committed theft! We bear
witness only to what we know, and
youngest brother comes down with you, you shall ‫سباَأمْل امْلباَقمْرباَيباَة ااَّل ِتر ي ِبُكاَّنبا ِفنيباَهبا‬ ْ‫باَوا م‬ we could not well guard against the
see my face no more.’ 24 “So it was, when we
went up to your servant my father, that we told ‫باَوامْل ِعنيباَر ااَّل ِتر ي باَأمْقباَبمْلباَنبا ِفنيباَهبا باَو ِإاَّنبا‬ unseen! 82 “’Ask at the town
where we have been and the
him the words of my lord. 25 And our father said, ‫( باَقباباَل باَبمْل‬82) ‫ن‬ َ‫صبا ِدِبُقنو با‬ َ‫باَل با‬ caravan in which we returned, and
‘Go back and buy us a little food.’ 26 But we said,
‘We cannot go down; if our youngest brother is ‫سِبُكمْم باَأمْمر ًا‬ ُ‫ت باَلِبُكمْم باَأنِبُف ِب‬ ْ‫ساَّنوباَل م‬ َ‫با‬ (you will find) we are indeed
telling the truth.’” 83 (Jacob) said:
with us, then we will go down; for we may not ْ‫لل باَأ م‬
‫ن‬ َّ‫س ى ا ِبُا‬ َ‫ع با‬ َ‫ج ِمني ٌل با‬ َ‫صمْب ٌر با‬ َ‫باَف با‬ “No, but you have yourself
see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is contrived a story (good enough)
with us.’ 27 Then your servant my father said to ‫ج ِمنيع ًبا ِإاَّنِبُه ِبُهباَنو‬ َ‫باَيمْأ ِتباَني ِنر ي ِب ِهمْم با‬ for you. So patience is most fitting
us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons; 28 ‫( باَوباَتباَنواَّل ى‬83) ‫ح ِكنيِبُم‬ َ‫امْلباَع ِلنيِبُم امْل با‬ (for me). Maybe God will bring
and the one went out from me, and I said, them (back) all to me (in the end).
“Surely he is torn to pieces”; and I have not seen ‫عباَل ى‬ َ‫سباَف ى با‬ َ‫عمْنِبُهمْم باَوباَقباباَل باَيبا باَأ با‬ َ‫با‬ For He is indeed full of knowledge
him since. 29 But if you take this one also from َ‫عمْنيباَنباِبُه ِم با‬
‫ن‬ َ‫ت با‬ ْ‫ض م‬ َّ‫ف باَوامْبباَني ا‬ َ‫س با‬ ُ‫ِبُينو ِب‬ and wisdom.” 84 And he turned
away from them, and said: “How
me, and calamity befalls him, you shall bring
down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.’ ‫( باَقباِبُلنوا‬84) ‫ظني ٌم‬ ِ ‫ن باَفِبُهباَنو باَك‬ ِ ‫حمْز‬ ُ‫امْل ِب‬ great is my grief for Joseph!” and
his eyes became white with sorrow
30 “Now therefore, when I come to your servant ‫حاَّت ى‬ َ‫ف با‬ َ‫س با‬ ُ‫لل باَتمْفباَتِبُأ باَتمْذِبُكِبُر ِبُينو ِب‬ َّ‫باَتبا ِا‬ and he felt into silent melancholy.
my father, and the lad is not with us, since his
life is bound up in the lad’s life, 31 it will happen, ْ‫ن ِم م‬
‫ن‬ َ‫حباَرض ًبا باَأمْو باَتِبُكنو با‬ َ‫ن با‬ َ‫باَتِبُكنو با‬ 85 They said: “By God! (never)
will you cease to remember Joseph
when he sees that the lad is not with us, that he ‫( باَقباباَل ِإاَّنباَمبا‬85) ‫ن‬ َ‫امْلباَهبا ِل ِكني با‬ until you reach the last extremity
will die. So your servants will bring down the gray
hair of your servant our father with sorrow to the َّ‫حمْز ِنر ي ِإباَل ى ا ِا‬
‫لل‬ ُ‫شِبُكنو باَبيِّثر ي باَو ِب‬ ْ‫باَأ م‬ of illness, or until you die!” 86 He
said: “I only complain of my
grave. 32 For your servant became surety for the َ‫لل باَمبا ل باَتمْعباَلِبُمنو با‬
‫ن‬ َّ‫ن ا ِا‬ ْ‫عباَلِبُم ِم م‬ ْ‫باَوباَأ م‬ distraction and anguish to God, and
lad to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him I know from god that which you
back to you, then I shall bear the blame before ‫( باَيبا باَب ِنر ي امْذباَهِبُبنوا‬86) know not… 87 “O my sons! Go
my father forever.’ 33 Now therefore, please let ‫خني ِه‬ ِ ‫ف باَوباَأ‬ َ‫س با‬ ُ‫ن ِبُينو ِب‬ ْ‫سنوا ِم م‬ ُ‫س ِب‬ َّ‫ح ا‬ َ‫باَفباَت با‬ you back and enquire about Joseph
your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave and his brother, and never give up
to my lord, and let the lad go up with his ‫لل ِإاَّنِبُه‬ َّ‫ح ا ِا‬ ِ ‫ن باَرمْو‬ ْ‫سنوا ِم م‬ ُ‫باَول باَتمْنيباَئ ِب‬ hope of God’s soothing mercy:
brothers. 34 For how shall I go up to my father if ‫لل ِإاَّل‬ َّ‫ح ا ِا‬ ِ ‫ن باَرمْو‬ ْ‫س ِم م‬ ُ‫ل باَيمْنيباَئ ِب‬ truly no one despairs of God’s
the lad is not with me, lest perhaps I see the evil soothing mercy except who have
that would come upon my father?” 87) ‫ن‬ َ‫امْلباَقمْنوِبُم الباَكبا ِفِبُرو با‬ no faith.”

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 Story of Prophet Joseph as given in Bible (Gen 37:50) and in Qur’an (Chapter 12)-
A comparative study
45.1 Then Joseph could not restrain himself ‫عباَلمْني ِه باَقباِبُلنوا باَيبا باَأ ُّيباَهبا‬ َ‫خِبُلنوا با‬ َ‫باَفباَلاَّمبا باَد با‬ 88 Then, when they came (back) 1. Again see the
Joseph before into (Joseph’s) presence they said: economy of words
Reveals all those who stood by him, and he cried out, ‫ض ُّر‬ ُّ ‫سباَنبا باَوباَأمْهباَلباَنبا ال‬ َّ‫امْلباَع ِزيِبُز باَم ا‬ “O exalted one! Distress has seized used in Qur'an.
Himself “Make everyone go out from me!” So no one us and our family: we have (now) 2. Joseph forgives
stood with him while Joseph made himself known
ِ ‫جبا ٍة باَفباَأمْو‬
‫ف‬ َ‫ع ٍة ِبُممْز با‬ َ‫ضبا با‬ َ‫جمْئباَنبا ِب ِب با‬ ِ ‫باَو‬ brought but scanty capital: so pay his brothers in a
to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, and the َّ‫عباَلمْنيباَنبا ِإ ا‬
‫ن‬ َ‫ق با‬ ْ‫صاَّد م‬ َ‫باَلباَنبا امْلباَكمْنيباَل باَوباَت با‬ us full measure, (we pray you), and graceful speech.
Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. 3 treat it as a charity to us: for God
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph;
(88) ‫ن‬ َ‫صيِّد ِقني با‬ َ‫ج ِز ي امْلِبُمباَت با‬ ْ‫لل باَي م‬ َّ‫ا باَا‬ does reward the charitable.” 89 He
does my father still live?” But his brothers could ‫ع ِلمْمِبُتمْم باَمبا باَفباَعمْلِبُتمْم‬ َ‫باَقباباَل باَهمْل با‬ said: “Do you know how you dealt
with Joseph and his brother, not
not answer him, for they were dismayed in his
presence. 4 And Joseph said to his brothers,
‫خني ِه ِإمْذ باَأمْنِبُتمْم‬ ِ ‫ف باَوباَأ‬ َ‫س با‬ ُ‫ ِبِبُنينو ِب‬ knowing (what were you doing)?”
90 They said: “Are you indeed
“Please come near to me.” So they came near. َ‫( باَقباِبُلنوا باَأ ِئاَّن با‬89) ‫ن‬
‫ك‬ َ‫جبا ِهِبُلنو با‬ َ‫با‬ Joseph?” He said: “I am Joseph
Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom
you sold into Egypt. 5 But now, do not therefore
ُ‫س ِب‬
‫ف‬ ُ‫ف باَقباباَل باَأباَنبا ِبُينو ِب‬ ُ‫س ِب‬ ُ‫ت ِبُينو ِب‬ َ‫باَألمْن با‬ and this is my brother: God has
indeed been gracious to us (all):
be grieved or angry with yourselves because you ‫عباَلمْنيباَنبا‬ َ‫لل با‬ َّ‫ن ا ِبُا‬ َّ‫خر ي باَقمْد باَم ا‬ ِ ‫باَوهباَذا باَأ‬ behold, he that is righteous and
sold me here; for God sent me before you to
preserve life. 6 For these two years the famine
َّ‫ن ا باَا‬
‫لل‬ َّ‫ص ِبمْر باَف ِإ ا‬ ْ‫ق باَوباَي م‬ ِ ‫ن باَياَّت‬ ْ‫ ِإاَّنِبُه باَم م‬ patient,-never will God suffer the
reward to be lost, of those who do
has been in the land, and there are still five years )‫ن‬ َ‫س ِنني با‬ ِ ‫ح‬ ْ‫جباَر امْلِبُم م‬ ْ‫ضنيِبُع باَأ م‬ ِ ‫ل ِبُي‬ right.” 91 They said: “By God!
in which there will be neither plowing nor Indeed has God preferred you
harvesting. 7 And God sent me before you to
َّ‫ك ا ِبُا‬
‫لل‬ َ‫لل باَلباَقمْد آباَثباَر با‬ َّ‫( باَقباِبُلنوا باَتبا ِا‬90 above us, and we certainly have
preserve posterity for you in the earth, and to )‫ن‬ َ‫ط ِئني با‬ ِ ‫خبا‬ َ‫ن ِبُكاَّنبا باَل با‬ ْ‫عباَلمْنيباَنبا باَو ِإ م‬ َ‫با‬ been guilty of sin!” 92 He said:
save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now “This day let no reproach be (cast)
it was not you who sent me here, but God; and ‫عباَلمْنيِبُكمْم‬ َ‫ب با‬ َ‫( باَقباباَل ل باَتمْث ِري با‬91 on you: let God forgive you, and
He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of ‫لل باَلِبُكمْم باَوِبُهباَنو‬ َّ‫امْلباَنيمْنوباَم باَيمْغ ِفِبُر ا ِبُا‬ He is the Most Merciful of those
who show mercy.!
all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land
of Egypt. 92) ‫ن‬ َ‫ح ِمني با‬ ِ ‫حِبُم الاَّرا‬ َ‫)باَأمْر با‬

9 “Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, ‫صر ي باَهباَذا باَفباَأمْلِبُقنوِبُه‬ ِ ‫امْذباَهِبُبنوا ِبباَق ِمني‬ 93 “Go with this my shirt, and cast 1. Again in a few
Joseph ‘Thus says your son Joseph: “God has made me it over the face of my father: he words Qur'an
calls lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry. ‫صنير ًا‬ ِ ‫ت باَب‬ ِ ‫ج ِه باَأ ِبر ي باَيمْأ‬ ْ‫عباَل ى باَو م‬َ‫با‬ will come to see (clearly). Then conveys the full
for 10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you c0ome you (here) to e together meaning of this
his father shall be near to me, you and your children, your
)‫ن‬ َ‫جباَم ِعني با‬ ْ‫باَومْأِبُتنو ِنر ي ِبباَأمْه ِلِبُكمْم باَأ م‬ with all your family.” long passage
children’s children, your flocks and your herds, 93) 2. Bible does not
and all that you have. 11 There I will provide for mention any thing
about Joseph's
you, lest you and your household, and all that
shirt and its effect
you have, come to poverty; for there are still five
on Jacob's eye!
years of famine.”’ 12 “And behold, your eyes and
the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my
mouth that speaks to you. 13 So you shall tell my
father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you

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A comparative study
have seen; and you shall hurry and bring my
father down here.” 14 Then he fell on his brother
Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on
his neck. 15 Moreover he kissed all his brothers
and wept over them, and after that his brothers
talked with him.
16 Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s 1. Qur'an does not
Festivities house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” So have space for
in it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well. 17 And such "Historian's"
Pharaoh's Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, tales
Household ‘Do this: Load your animals and depart; go to the 2. It deals only with
land of Canaan. 18 Bring your father and your the parts which
households and come to me; I will give you the have some
instructions for
best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat
guidance.
of the land. 19 Now you are commanded—do
this: Take carts out of the land of Egypt for your
little ones and your wives; bring your father and
come. 20 Also do not be concerned about your
goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is
yours.’”
21 Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph ‫ت امْل ِعنيِبُر باَقباباَل باَأِبُبنوِبُهمْم‬ْ‫صباَل م‬
َ‫باَوباَلاَّمبا باَف با‬ 94 When the caravan left (Egypt), 1. Aren't these few
Brothers gave them carts, according to the command of their father said: “I do indeed scent words of Qur'an
leave Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the ‫ف باَلمْنول‬ َ‫س با‬ ُ‫ح ِبُينو ِب‬ َ‫جِبُد ِري با‬ِ ‫ ِإيِّنر ي باَأل‬ the presence of Joseph: nay, do not heavier than this
to bring journey. 22 He gave to all of them, to each man, think me a dotard.” 95 They said: long passage of
their father changes of garments; but to Benjamin he gave
َّ‫( باَقباِبُلنوا باَتبا ِا‬94) ‫ن‬
‫لل‬ ِ ‫ن ِبُتباَفيِّنِبُدو‬ ْ‫باَأ م‬ “By God! Truly you are in your Bible?
to Egypt three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of 95) ‫ك امْلباَق ِدي ِم‬ َ‫ضال ِل با‬ َ‫ك باَل ِفر ي با‬ َ‫ ِإاَّن با‬ old age wandering mind.”
garments. 23 And he sent to his father these
things: ten donkeys loaded with the good things
of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with
grain, bread, and food for his father for the
journey. 24 So he sent his brothers away, and
they departed; and he said to them, “See that
you do not become troubled along the way.”
25 Then they went up out of Egypt, and came to ُ‫شنيِبُر باَأمْلباَقباهِب‬
ِ ‫جباباَء امْلباَب‬ َ‫ن با‬ ْ‫باَفباَلاَّمبا باَأ م‬ 96 Then when the bearer of the 1. Compare the
Jacob the land of Canaan to Jacob their father. 26 And good news grace of words of
receives they told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and ‫صنير ًا باَقباباَل‬ ِ ‫ج ِه ِه باَفبامْرباَتاَّد باَب‬ ْ‫عباَل ى باَو م‬ َ‫با‬ came’ and cast (the shirt) over his Jacob as given in
good news he is governor over all the land of Egypt.” And face, and he forthwith regained Qur'an and
Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not
َّ‫ن ا ِا‬
‫لل‬ ْ‫عباَلِبُم ِم م‬ ْ‫باَأباَلمْم باَأِبُقمْل باَلِبُكمْم ِإيِّنر ي باَأ م‬ clear sight. He said: “Did I not say compare it with the
believe them. 27 But when they told him all the 96) ‫ن‬ َ‫)باَمبا ل باَتمْعباَلِبُمنو با‬ to you, ‘I know from God that Bible's version
words which Joseph had said to them, and when which you know not?’” 2. Which is more
befitting a prophet
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he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry of God?
him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. 28
Then Israel said, “It is enough. Joseph my son is
still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
46.1 So Israel took his journey with all that he ‫سباَتمْغ ِفمْر باَلباَنبا‬
ْ‫باَقباِبُلنوا باَيبا باَأباَبباباَنبا ا م‬ 97 They said: “O our father! Ask Should we
Jacob's had, and came to Beersheba, and offered for us forgiveness for our sins, for comment on the
Journey sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. 2 Then (97) ‫ن‬ َ‫ط ِئني با‬ِ ‫خبا‬ َ‫ِبُذِبُننوباَبباَنبا ِإاَّنبا ِبُكاَّنبا با‬ we were truly are at fault.” 98 He two versions
to Egypt God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, said: “Soon will I ask my lord for
and said, “Jacob, Jacob!” And he said, “Here I
‫سباَتمْغ ِفِبُر باَلِبُكمْم باَريِّبر ي‬ ْ‫ف باَأ م‬ َ‫سمْنو با‬ َ‫باَقباباَل با‬ forgiveness for you: for He is
am.” 3 So He said, “I am God, the God of your 98) ‫حنيِبُم‬ ِ ‫) ِإاَّنِبُه ِبُهباَنو امْلباَغِبُفنوِبُر الاَّر‬ indeed Oft-forgiving, Most
father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will Merciful.”
make of you a great nation there. 4 I will go
down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely
bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand
on your eyes.” 5 Then Jacob arose from
Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried their
father Jacob, their little ones, and their wives, in
the carts which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. 6
So they took their livestock and their goods,
which they had acquired in the land of Canaan,
and went to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants
with him. 7 His sons and his sons’ sons, his
daughters and his sons’ daughters, and all his
descendants he brought with him to Egypt.
Who All 8 Now these were the names of the children of 1. Who should be
Went Israel, Jacob and his sons, who went to Egypt: interested in this
to Egypt Reuben was Jacob’s firstborn. 9 The sons of list except a
Reuben were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. Historian
10 The sons of Simeon were Jemuel,[a] Jamin, 2. Why would God
Ohad, Jachin,[b] Zohar,[c] and Shaul, the son of a reveal this
Canaanite woman. 11 The sons of Levi were information to
posterity?
Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 12 The sons of
3. Does it has any
Judah were Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah
effect on guidance
(but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan). or believe?
The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul. 13 4. Passage such
The sons of Issachar were Tola, Puvah,[d] Job,[e] as these prove
and Shimron. 14 The sons of Zebulun were that Bible in not
Sered, Elon, and Jahleel. 15 These were the sons Word of God fully.
of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Padan Aram,
with his daughter Dinah. All the persons, his sons

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and his daughters, were thirty-three.16 The sons
of Gad were Ziphion,[f] Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon,[g]
Eri, Arodi,[h] and Areli. 17 The sons of Asher
were Jimnah, Ishuah, Isui, Beriah, and Serah,
their sister. And the sons of Beriah were Heber
and Malchiel. 18 These were the sons of Zilpah,
whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter; and
these she bore to Jacob: sixteen persons. ... 26
All the persons who went with Jacob to Egypt,
who came from his body, besides Jacob’s sons’
wives, were sixty-six persons in all. 27 And the
sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt
were two persons. All the persons of the house of
Jacob who went to Egypt were seventy.
28 Then he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to ‫ف آباَو ى‬َ‫س با‬
ُ‫عباَل ى ِبُينو ِب‬ َ‫خِبُلنوا با‬ َ‫باَفباَلاَّمبا باَد با‬ 99 Then when they entered the 1. Bible's version
Jacob point out before him the way to Goshen. And presence of Joseph, he provided a is so worldly, it
Reaches they came to the land of Goshen. 29 So Joseph ‫صباَر‬
ْ‫خِبُلنوا ِم م‬
ُ‫ ِإباَلمْني ِه باَأباَبباَنومْي ِه باَوباَقباباَل امْد ِب‬ home for his parents with himself, never has any
in the made ready his chariot and went up to Goshen to and said: “Enter you Egypt (all) in higher motive
presence of meet his father Israel; and he presented himself
99) ‫ن‬ َ‫لل آ ِم ِنني با‬ َّ‫شباباَء ا ِبُا‬ َ‫ن با‬ ْ‫ ِإ م‬ safety if it please God.” except for goods of
Joseph to him, and fell on his neck and wept on his neck this world
a good while. 30 And Israel said to Joseph, “Now 2. Qur'an always
goes for spiritual
let me die, since I have seen your face, because
side of the matter.
you are still alive.” 31 Then Joseph said to his
brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go
up and tell Pharaoh, and say to him, ‘My brothers
and those of my father’s house, who were in the
land of Canaan, have come to me. 32 And the
men are shepherds, for their occupation has been
to feed livestock; and they have brought their
flocks, their herds, and all that they have.’ 33 So
it shall be, when Pharaoh calls you and says,
‘What is your occupation?’ 34 that you shall say,
‘Your servants’ occupation has been with
livestock from our youth even till now, both we
and also our fathers,’ that you may dwell in the
land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an
abomination to the Egyptians.”

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A comparative study

47.1 Then Joseph went and told Pharaoh, and 1. Qur'an keeps
Pharaoh said, “My father and my brothers, their flocks and away from such
and their herds and all that they possess, have come passages that do
Jacob from the land of Canaan; and indeed they are in not have any
the land of Goshen.” 2 And he took five men from spritual side
among his brothers and presented them to 2.
Pharaoh. 3 Then Pharaoh said to his brothers,
“What is your occupation?” And they said to
Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, both we
and also our fathers.” 4 And they said to
Pharaoh, “We have come to dwell in the land,
because your servants have no pasture for their
flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of
Canaan. Now therefore, please let your servants
dwell in the land of Goshen.”
5 Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, “Your
father and your brothers have come to you. 6
The land of Egypt is before you. Have your father
and brothers dwell in the best of the land; let
them dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you
know any competent men among them, then
make them chief herdsmen over my livestock.” 7
Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and set
him before Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
8 Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How old are you?” 9
And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The days of the
years of my pilgrimage are one hundred and
thirty years; few and evil have been the days of
the years of my life, and they have not attained
to the days of the years of the life of my fathers
in the days of their pilgrimage.” 10 So Jacob
blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before
Pharaoh.

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A comparative study

11 And Joseph situated his father and his

Jacob brothers, and gave them a possession in the land
Settles of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of
in Egypt Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. 12 Then
Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all
his father’s household with bread, according to
the number in their families.
Fulfillment 1. Surprisingly
of Dream's ِ ‫عباَل ى امْلباَعمْرش‬ َ‫باَوباَرباَفباَع باَأباَبباَنومْي ِه با‬ 100 And he raised his parents high Bible is silent
on the
prophecy ِ ‫جد ًا باَوباَقباباَل باَيبا باَأباَب‬
‫ت‬ َّ‫س ا‬ ُ‫خ ُّروا باَلِبُه ِب‬ َ‫باَو با‬ throne (of dignity), and they fell
about the
fulfillment of the
‫ن باَقمْبِبُل باَقمْد‬ ْ‫باَهباَذا باَتمْأ ِويِبُل ِبُرمْؤباَيبا ي ِم م‬ down in prostration, (all) before dream that
him. He said: “O my father! This
َ‫س با‬
‫ن‬ َ‫ح با‬ ْ‫حًاّقبا باَوباَقمْد باَأ م‬ َ‫جباَعباَلباَهبا باَريِّبر ي با‬ َ‫با‬ is the fulfillment of my vision of
caused it all!
2. Bible deals
ِ ‫ج‬
‫ن‬ ْ‫س م‬ ِّ‫ن ال ي‬ ْ‫ج ِنر ي ِم م‬ َ‫خباَر با‬ْ‫ ِبر ي ِإمْذ باَأ م‬ old! God has made it come true!
He was indeed good to me when
with so many un-
important matters
‫ن باَبمْع ِد‬ ْ‫ن امْلباَبمْد ِو ِم م‬ ْ‫جباباَء ِبِبُكمْم ِم م‬ َ‫باَو با‬ He took me out of prison and that it leaves the
brought you (all here) out of the
َ‫ن باَبمْني ِنر ي باَوباَبمْني با‬
‫ن‬ ُ‫طبا ِب‬
َ‫شمْني با‬ َّ‫غ ال ا‬ َ‫ن باَنباَز با‬ ْ‫باَأ م‬ desert, (even) after Satan had
best part of them!

‫ف ِلباَمبا‬ ٌ ‫طني‬ ِ ‫ن باَريِّبر ي باَل‬ َّ‫خباَنو ِتر ي ِإ ا‬ ْ‫ ِإ م‬ sworn enmity between me and my
brothers. Verily my Lord
) ‫ح ِكنيِبُم‬ َ‫شباِبُء ِإاَّنِبُه ِبُهباَنو امْلباَع ِلنيِبُم امْل با‬ َ‫باَي با‬ understands best the mysteries of
100) all that He plans to do. For verily,
He is full of knowledge and
wisdom.
101 “O my Lord! You have indeed 1. This prayer
Joseph's
ِ ‫ن امْلِبُممْلك‬ ْ‫ب باَقمْد آباَتمْنيباَت ِنر ي ِم م‬ ِّ‫باَر ي‬ bestowed which is a crown
Prayer ِ ‫حبا ِدي‬
‫ث‬ َ‫ن باَتمْأ ِوي ِل اباَأل با‬ ْ‫عاَّلمْمباَت ِنر ي ِم م‬ َ‫باَو با‬ on me some power, and taught me jewel of spiritual
of Gratitude something of the interpretation of side of Joseph
ِ ‫سباَمباَنوا‬
‫ت‬ َّ‫طباَر ال ا‬ ِ ‫باَفبا‬ dream and events,- O You Creator does not find a
‫ر ي ِفر ي الجج ُّدمْنباَنيبا‬ ِّ‫ت باَو ِل ي‬ َ‫ض باَأمْن با‬ِ ‫باَواباَألمْر‬ of the heavens and the earth! You place in Bible!
are my protector in this world and 2. It shows the
‫سجججج ِلم ًبا‬ ْ‫خججججباَر ِة باَتججججباَنواَّف ِنر ي ِبُم م‬ ِ ‫باَوال‬ in the hereafter. Take you my soul real character
and his greatness
101) ‫ن‬ َ‫حني با‬ ِ ‫صبا ِل‬
َّ‫حمْق ِنر ي ِببال ا‬ ِ ‫)باَوباَأمْل‬ (at death) as one submitting to your
will (as a Muslim) and unite me as a prophet of
with the righteous.” God.

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13 Now there was no bread in all the land; for ِ ‫حنيه‬ ِ ‫ب ِبُنججنو‬ ِ ‫ن باَأمْنباَبججبا ِء امْلباَغمْنيج‬ ْ‫ك ِم م‬ َ‫باَذ ِل با‬ the stories of what happened 1. While Bible
Moral of the famine was very severe, so that the land of unseen which We reveal to you by dwells on how
Story Egypt and the land of Canaan languished because ‫ت باَلجججباَدمْي ِهمْم ِإمْذ‬ َ‫ك باَوباَمجججبا ِبُكنججج با‬ َ‫ ِإباَلمْنيججج با‬ inspiration: you were not (present) Joseph became
of the famine. 14 And Joseph gathered up all the with them when they concerted rich and owned
money that was found in the land of Egypt and in
َ‫جباَمِبُعنوا باَأمْمباَرِبُهمْم باَوِبُهمْم باَيمْمِبُكججِبُرو با‬
‫ن‬ ْ‫باَأ م‬ their plans together in the weaving most of land of
the land of Canaan, for the grain which they ‫س باَوباَلججمْنو‬ ِ ‫( باَوباَمبا باَأمْكباَثِبُر الاَّنبا‬102) of their plots.103 Yet no faith, will Egypt, to take
bought; and Joseph brought the money into the greater part of mankind have, advantage of
Pharaoh’s house.15 So when the money failed in
(103) ‫ن‬ َ‫ت ِبِبُمججججمْؤ ِم ِنني با‬ َ‫صجججج با‬ ْ‫حباَر م‬ َ‫با‬ However ardently you do desire it. people during
their miseries,
the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all ْ‫ج ٍر ِإ م‬
‫ن‬ ْ‫ن باَأ م‬ ْ‫عباَلمْني ِه ِم م‬ َ‫سباَأِبُلِبُهمْم با‬ ْ‫باَوباَمبا باَت م‬ 104 And no reward do you ask of
them for this: it is no less than a probably asking
the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us
bread, for why should we die in your presence?
(104) ‫ن‬ َ‫ِبُهباَنو ِإاَّل ِذمْكج ٌر ِلمْلباَعجباباَل ِمني با‬ message for all creatures.105 And his followers to
how many signs in the heavens and do the same!
For the money has failed.” ِ ‫س جباَمباَنوا‬
‫ت‬ َّ‫ن آباَي ٍة ِفججر ي ال ا‬ ْ‫ن ِم م‬ ْ‫باَوباَكباَأيِّي م‬ the earth do they pass by? Yet they 2. Qur'an on the
16 Then Joseph said, “Give your livestock, and I
will give you bread for your livestock, if the
‫عباَلمْنيباَهبا باَوِبُهججمْم‬ َ‫ن با‬ َ‫ض باَيِبُم ُّرو با‬ ِ ‫باَواباَألمْر‬ turn away (their faces) from them! other hand tells
106 And most of them believe not us the purpose,
money is gone.” 17 So they brought their ‫( باَوباَمجبا‬105) ‫ن‬ َ‫ضجنو با‬ ُ‫عمْنباَهبا ِبُممْع ِر ِب‬ َ‫با‬ in God without associating (others why God has
livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them bread revealed this
in exchange for the horses, the flocks, the cattle
‫لل ِإاَّل باَوِبُهجمْم‬ َّ‫ن باَأمْكباَثِبُرِبُهجمْم ِبججبا ِا‬ ُ‫ِبُيجمْؤ ِم ِب‬ as partners) with Him! 107 Do they
then feel secure from the coming story and what is
of the herds, and for the donkeys. Thus he fed ْ‫( باَأباَفججباَأ ِمِبُننوا باَأ م‬106) ‫ن‬
‫ن‬ َ‫ش ِرِبُكنو با‬ ْ‫ِبُم م‬ against them of the covering veil of the moral behind
them with bread in exchange for all their the wrath of God,- or of coming it
livestock that year. 18 When that year had
‫للجج‬ َّ‫ب ا ِا‬ ِ ‫عباَذا‬ َ‫ن با‬ ْ‫شباَني ٌة ِم م‬ ِ ‫غبا‬ َ‫باَتمْأ ِتباَنيِبُهمْم با‬ against them of the (final) Hour all 3. These tales
ended, they came to him the next year and said ‫عِبُة باَبمْغباَت ج ًة باَوِبُه جمْم‬ َ‫سبا با‬ َّ‫باَأمْو باَتمْأ ِتباَنيِبُهمْم ال ا‬ of a sudden while they perceive provide us
to him, “We will not hide from my lord that our not? 108 You Say: “This is my guidance and
money is gone; my lord also has our herds of ‫( ِبُقجمْل باَهج ِذ ِه‬107) ‫ن‬ َ‫شجِبُعِبُرو با‬ ْ‫ل باَي م‬ way: I do invite to God,- on increase our faith
in God and His
livestock. There is nothing left in the sight of my ‫عباَلجج ى‬ َ‫للج با‬ َّ‫عججنو ِإباَلجج ى ا ِا‬ ُ‫سج ِبني ِلر ي باَأمْد ِب‬ َ‫با‬ evidence clear as the seeing with
one’s eyes.- I and whoever follows wonderful ways.
lord but our bodies and our lands. 19 Why should
we die before your eyes, both we and our land? ‫ن ااَّتباَبباَع ِنجججر ي‬ ْ‫صجججنيباَر ٍة باَأباَنجججبا باَوباَمججج م‬ ِ ‫باَب‬ me. Glory to God and never will I
join gods with God!” 109 Nor did 4. With this
Buy us and our land for bread, and we and our ْ‫للجج باَوباَمججبا باَأباَنججبا ِمجج م‬
‫ن‬ َّ‫ن ا ِا‬ َ‫حبا با‬ َ‫سججمْب با‬ ُ‫باَو ِب‬ we send before you (as apostle) Qur'an end its
land will be servants of Pharaoh; give us seed,
that we may live and not die, that the land may ‫( باَوباَمججججججبا‬108) ‫ن‬ َ‫شجججججج ِر ِكني با‬ ْ‫امْلِبُم م‬ any but men, whom We did narrative of
inspire,- (men) living in human Joseph's story
not be desolate.” ‫جججبا ًل‬ َ‫ك ِإاَّل ِر با‬ َ‫ن باَقمْب ِل ج با‬ ْ‫سججمْلباَنبا ِمجج م‬ َ‫باَأمْر با‬ habitations. Do they not travel and the
20 Then Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for subsequent
Pharaoh; for every man of the Egyptians sold his ‫ن باَأمْه ج ِل امْلِبُق جباَر ى‬ ْ‫حر ي ِإباَلمْني ِهمْم ِم م‬ ِ ‫ِبُننو‬ through the earth, and see what
was the end of those before them? passages from
field, because the famine was severe upon them. ِ ‫سجججنيِبُروا ِفجججر ي اباَألمْر‬
‫ض‬ ِ ‫باَأباَفباَلجججمْم باَي‬ But the home of the hereafter is Bible have no
So the land became Pharaoh’s. 21 And as for the best, for those who do right, Will references in
people, he moved them into the cities,[a] from ‫عبا ِقباَبججِبُة‬ َ‫ن با‬ َ‫ف باَكججبا با‬ َ‫ظججِبُروا باَكمْنيجج با‬ ُ‫باَفباَنيمْن ِب‬ you then not understand? 110 Qur'an.
one end of the borders of Egypt to the other end. ‫ن باَقمْب ِل ِهجججمْم باَوباَلجججباَداِبُر‬ ْ‫ن ِمججج م‬ َ‫ااَّلججج ِذي با‬ (Respite will be granted) until,
22 Only the land of the priests he did not buy; for when the apostles give up hope (of
the priests had rations allotted to them by ‫ن ااَّتباَقجمْنوا باَأباَفال‬ َ‫خمْني ٌر ِلاَّلج ِذي با‬ َ‫خباَر ِة با‬ ِ ‫ال‬ their people) and (come to) think
Pharaoh, and they ate their rations, which ‫حاَّتججججج ى ِإباَذا‬ َ‫( با‬109) ‫ن‬ َ‫باَتمْع ِقِبُلجججججنو با‬ that they were treated as liars,

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Pharaoh gave them; therefore they did not sell
their lands.
23 Then Joseph said to the people, “Indeed I
have bought you and your land this day for
Pharaoh. Look, here is seed for you, and you
shall sow the land. 24 And it shall come to pass
in the harvest that you shall give one-fifth to
Pharaoh. Four-fifths shall be your own, as seed
for the field and for your food, for those of your
households and as food for your little ones.” 25
So they said, “You have saved our lives; let us
find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be
Pharaoh’s servants.” 26 And Joseph made it a
law over the land of Egypt to this day, that
Pharaoh should have one-fifth, except for the
land of the priests only, which did not become
Pharaoh’s.
ْ‫ظ ُّنججنوا باَأاَّنِبُهجمم‬ َ‫سِبُل باَو با‬ ُ‫س ال ُّر ِب‬ َ‫سباَتمْنيباَئ با‬
ْ‫ا م‬
‫صجججِبُرباَنبا‬ ْ‫ججججباباَءِبُهمْم باَن م‬ َ‫باَقجججمْد ِبُكججج ِذِبُبنوا با‬
‫شجججباِبُء باَول ِبُيجججباَر ُّد‬ َ‫ن باَن با‬ ْ‫ر ي باَمججج م‬ َ‫جججج با‬ِّ‫باَفِبُن ي‬
)‫ن‬ َ‫ج ِر ِمنيج با‬ ْ‫ن امْلباَقمْنو ِم امْلِبُم م‬ ْ‫ع م‬ َ‫سباَنبا با‬ُ‫باَبمْأ ِب‬ There reaches them our help, and
‫ص ج ِهمْم‬ ِ ‫ص‬ َ‫ن ِفججر ي باَق با‬ َ‫( باَلباَقمْد باَكبا با‬110 those whom We will are delivered
into safety , but never will warded
َ‫ب باَمججبا باَكججبا با‬
‫ن‬ ِ ‫عمْبباَر ٌة ِبُألمْو ِلر ي اباَألمْلباَبججبا‬ ِ off Our punishment from those
who are in sin. 111 There is, in
َ‫ص ج ِدي با‬
‫ق‬ ْ‫ن باَت م‬ ْ‫ح ِديث ًبا ِبُيمْفباَت جباَر ى باَوباَل ِكج م‬ َ‫با‬ their stories, instruction for men
‫صججنيباَل ِبُك جيِّل‬ ِ ‫ن باَي جباَدمْي ِه باَوباَتمْف‬ َ‫ااَّل ِذ ي باَبمْني با‬ endued with understanding. It is
not a tale invented, but a
‫حباَم ج ًة ِلباَق جمْنو ٍم‬ْ‫ر ي ٍء باَوِبُه ج ًد ى باَوباَر م‬ ْ‫ش ج م‬ َ‫با‬ confirmation of what went before
َ‫ِبُيمْؤ ِمِبُننو با‬
‫ن‬ it,- a detailed exposition of all
things, and a Guide and a Mercy to
any such as believe.

27 So Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions there and grew and multiplied
Joseph's exceedingly. 28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-
Vow to seven years. 29 When the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “Now if I have found
Jacob favor in your sight, please put your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me. Please do not bury me in Egypt, 30
but let me lie with my fathers; you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.” And he said, “I will do as you
have said.” 31 Then he said, “Swear to me.” And he swore to him. So Israel bowed himself on the head of the bed.

48.1 Now it came to pass after these things that Joseph was told, “Indeed your father is sick”; and he took with him his two
Jacob sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. 2 And Jacob was told, “Look, your son Joseph is coming to you”; and Israel strengthened himself
Blesses and sat up on the bed. 3 Then Jacob said to Joseph: “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed
Joseph's me, 4 and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a multitude of people, and give
sons this land to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession.’ 5 And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who
were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. 6
Your offspring whom you beget after them shall be yours; they will be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance.
7 But as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died beside me in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was but a little
distance to go to Ephrath; and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).” 8 Then Israel saw Joseph’s sons,
and said, “Who are these?” 9 Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place.”

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And he said, “Please bring them to me, and I will bless them.” 10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could
Jacob not see. Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. 11 And Israel said to Joseph, “I had not
Blesses thought to see your face; but in fact, God has also shown me your offspring!” 12 So Joseph brought them from beside his
Joseph's knees, and he bowed down with his face to the earth. 13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward
sons Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. 14 Then Israel
(Contd) stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding
his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn. 15 And he blessed Joseph, and said: “God, before whom my fathers
Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has fed me all my life long to this day, 16 The Angel who has redeemed me from all
evil, Bless the lads; Let my name be named upon them, And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And let
them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

1. Bible plays
Second so many hide
born and seek with
becomes First born s and
First Born! second born s
that one
wonders if
17 Now when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim,
there is
it displeased him; so he took hold of his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18
anything at all
And Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.” 2. See the story
19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall of Jacob &
be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude Esau for
of nations.” 20 So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will bless, saying, ‘May God make you as reference.
Ephraim and as Manasseh!’” And thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh. 3. Even God is
21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am dying, but God will be with you and bring you back to the land of made party to
your fathers. 22 Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brothers, which I took from the hand of this change of
the Amorite with my sword and my bow.” rights!

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49.1 And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall 1. Now how
Jacob's befall you in the last days: 2 “Gather together and hear, you sons of Jacob, And listen to Israel your father. 3 many of these
Prophecies “Reuben, you are my firstborn, My might and the beginning of my strength, The excellency of dignity and the blessings were
for future excellency of power. 4 Unstable as water, you shall not excel, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then from God and
you defiled it—He went up to my couch. how many
5 “Simeon and Levi are brothers; Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place. 6 Let not my soul enter from a father’s
their council; Let not my honor be united to their assembly; For in their anger they slew a man, And in their wish, how
much does the
self-will they hamstrung an ox. 7 Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; And their wrath, for it is cruel! I will
history proves
divide them in Jacob And scatter them in Israel.
its truthfulness
8 “Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; is the work of
Your father’s children shall bow down before you. 9 Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have Historians
gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him? 10 The scepter shall not 2. It looks like a
depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the father's
obedience of the people. 11 Binding his donkey to the vine, And his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, He washed blessings to his
his garments in wine, And his clothes in the blood of grapes. 12 His eyes are darker than wine, And his teeth sons while
whiter than milk. dying
13 “ Zebulun shall dwell by the haven of the sea; He shall become a haven for ships, And his border shall 3. God does
adjoin Sidon not has special
14 “ Issachar is a strong donkey, Lying down between two burdens; 15 He saw that rest was good, And relationship
that the land was pleasant; He bowed his shoulder to bear a burden, And became a band of slaves. with any
16 “Dan shall judge his people As one of the tribes of Israel. 17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way particular tribe
A viper by the path, That bites the horse’s heels So that its rider shall fall backward. 8 I have waited for your or nation. He is
salvation, O LORD! 19 “Gad, a troop shall tramp upon him, But he shall triumph at last. Creator and
20 “Bread from Asher shall be rich, And he shall yield royal dainties. Sustainer of
21 “ Naphtali is a deer let loose; He uses beautiful words. whole universe.
All mankind is
22 “ Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall.23 The archers have
from one
bitterly grieved him, Shot at him and hated him. 24 But his bow remained in strength, And the arms of his
parent, Adam &
hands were made strong By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Eve.
Israel), 25 By the God of your father who will help you, And by the Almighty who will bless you 4. He gives his
With blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lies beneath, Blessings of the breasts and of the blessings
womb. 26 The blessings of your father Have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, Up to the utmost bound of according to
the everlasting hills. They shall be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him who was His will and
separate from his brothers. merits of
27 “ Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; In the morning he shall devour the prey, And at night he shall divide the individual
spoil.”28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed
them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing.

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A comparative study
Jacob's 29 Then he charged them and said to them: “Iam to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the
Death cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before
and Burial Mamre in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite as a possession for a
burial place. 31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife, there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife,
and there I buried Leah. 32 The field and the cave that is there were purchased from the sons of Heth.” 33 And
when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was
gathered to his people.
Jacob's 50.1 Then Joseph fell on his father’s face and wept over him, and kissed him. 2 And Joseph commanded his
Death servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel. 3 Forty days were required
and Burial for him, for such are the days required for those who are embalmed; and the Egyptians mourned for him
(Contd) seventy days. 4 Now when the days of his mourning were past, Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh,
saying, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, please speak in the hearing of Pharaoh, saying, 5 ‘My father
made me swear, saying, “Behold, I am dying; in my grave which I dug for myself in the land of Canaan, there
you shall bury me.” Now therefore, please let me go up and bury my father, and I will come back.’” 6 And
Pharaoh said, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear.” 7 So Joseph went up to bury his father;
and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of
Egypt, 8 as well as all the house of Joseph, his brothers, and his father’s house. Only their little ones, their
flocks, and their herds they left in the land of Goshen. 9 And there went up with him both chariots and
horsemen, and it was a very great gathering. 10 Then they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond
the Jordan, and they mourned there with a great and very solemn lamentation.
He observed seven days of mourning for his father. 11 And when the inhabitants of the land,
the Canaanites, saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a deep mourning of the
Egyptians.” Therefore its name was called Abel Mizraim,[a] which is beyond the Jordan. 12 So his sons did for
him just as he had commanded them.13 For his sons carried him to the land of Canaan, and buried him in the
cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite as
property for a burial place. 14 And after he had buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt,
he and his brothers and all who went up with him to bury his father.
Joseph 15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may
Reassures actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.” 16 So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before
his brothers your father died he commanded, saying, 17 ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the
trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.”’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the
servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 Then his brothers also went
and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 Joseph said to them, “Do not
be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for
good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid;
I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

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Death of 22 So Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he and his father’s household. And Joseph lived one hundred and ten years. 23
Joseph Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were also
brought up on Joseph’s knees. 24 And Joseph said to his brethren, “I am dying; but God will surely visit you,
and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” 25 Then
Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my
bones from here.” 26 So Joseph died, being one hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and he
was put in a coffin in Egypt.

Final Remarks:

1. This was the verbatim reproduction of Chapter 37 to 50 from the Book of Genesis and Chapter YOUSUF of Qur'an.
2. The two versions are kept side by side.
3. If you still believe, Muhammad copied it from Bible. It is your choice
4. Consider, he was an unlettered man, unable to read or write Hebrew, Arabic or any other language; he would have been a man of
extraordinary talents. He could remember each twist and tale of story (from hearsay) and edit it and reproduce it such beautiful form!
4. If the original source of the two books is inspiration, then there is no harm if they tally.
5. The fact that Bible is not word of God entirely is clear from the "Historian" side of Biblical side.
6. God Almighty sends down the revelation for the guidance of human kind, not only to tell past history.
7. The choice is now left to readers, to believe which is from god and which is from men.

(May Allah guide us to the true path, and His peace and blessings be upon His slave and prophet Muhammad).

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