יוֹסֵף
Yosef / Joseph
“He will add”
Joseph (יוֹסֵף, Yosef) is a Hebrew boy's name meaning “he will add,” pronounced “yo-SEF.” From the Hebrew verb 'yasaf' (יָסַף) meaning 'to add' or 'to increase.' Rachel named him Yosef as a prayer that God would add another son to her. The name encodes both gratitude and hope.
| Hebrew | יוֹסֵף |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Yosef |
| English Name | Joseph |
| Meaning | He will add |
| Pronunciation | yo-SEF |
| Gender | Boy |
| Category | Male Biblical Names |
| Variants | Yosef, Yossi, Josef, José, Giuseppe, Yusuf, Joe |
| Key Scripture | Genesis 30:24 |
Joseph's story reads like an ancient epic — sold into slavery by his own brothers at seventeen, falsely imprisoned in Egypt, and ultimately rising to become the second most powerful man in the known world. His name, Yosef, means 'He will add,' spoken prophetically by his mother Rachel who said 'May the LORD add to me another son' (Genesis 30:24). That prayer for 'more' became the defining theme of Joseph's life: every loss was eventually multiplied back to him, every setback became a setup for greater blessing.
Key Scripture: Genesis 30:24
“She named him Joseph, and said, 'May the LORD add to me another son.'”
What Does Joseph Mean in Hebrew?
From the root י-ס-ף (yod-samekh-pe) meaning 'to add, to increase, to do again.' The form 'Yosef' is a jussive/imperfect: 'may He (God) add.' Some scholars also connect it to the root א-ס-ף (to gather/remove), based on Rachel's parallel statement 'God has removed my reproach.'
Joseph in the Bible
Joseph is one of the most detailed character studies in Genesis. His journey from favored son to slave to prisoner to Egyptian vizier demonstrates God's sovereign plan working through suffering. He saved his entire family — and Egypt — from famine, and his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh became two of the twelve tribes.
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
In Jewish tradition, Joseph is considered the archetype of the righteous person who resists temptation (the 'tzaddik'). The phrase 'Yosef HaTzaddik' (Joseph the Righteous) is his traditional title. In Christianity, Joseph of Nazareth (Mary's husband) is one of the most venerated saints.
Joseph has been a perennial top-25 name in English-speaking countries for over a century. In Israel, Yosef and the nickname Yossi are extremely common. The name's popularity spans Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities (as Yusuf).
Frequently Asked Questions About Joseph
What does Joseph mean in Hebrew?
Joseph (יוֹסֵף, Yosef) means “He will add” in Hebrew. From the Hebrew verb 'yasaf' (יָסַף) meaning 'to add' or 'to increase.' Rachel named him Yosef as a prayer that God would add another son to her. The name encodes both gratitude and hope.
How do you pronounce Joseph in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Joseph is “yo-SEF.” The name is written יוֹסֵף in Hebrew script.
What does Joseph mean in Hebrew?
Joseph (יוֹסֵף, Yosef) means 'He will add' or 'May God add' in Hebrew. It comes from the root י-ס-ף (yod-samekh-pe) meaning 'to add or increase.' Rachel named him this as a prayer that God would give her another son, expressing both gratitude for Joseph and hope for future blessing.
Why is Joseph called 'the righteous' in Jewish tradition?
Joseph earned the title 'HaTzaddik' (the Righteous One) primarily because he resisted the persistent seductions of Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39). In rabbinic literature, this act of moral strength in extreme circumstances made him the archetype of righteousness and self-mastery over temptation.
How did Joseph end up in Egypt?
Joseph's jealous brothers sold him to Midianite merchants for twenty pieces of silver when he was seventeen (Genesis 37). He was taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Through a series of trials — including false imprisonment — God elevated him to become vizier of all Egypt.
Sources & Further Study
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