The account of Joseph’s brothers coming to Egypt in the 2nd year of the famine looking for provisions and then finally coming to a reconciliation with each other comprises 134 verses over 4 chapters in Genesis. The Quran covers the same episodes in 44 verses. With that in mind I will summarize the story very briefly first and then discuss how the two each have a distinctive voice.
The over-arching story is the same. Jacob sends his ten eldest sons to Egypt for provisions. Joseph gives them the provisions but demands that any further provisions require them to return with their other brother, Benjamin. He also returns their payment secretly, supposedly to encourage their return. The provisions run out, Jacob is hesitant to send Benjamin until he is assured by oaths and promises of his safe return. They finally go back to Egypt, this time with Benjamin, are treated graciously, until on their departure from Egypt they are accused of stealing a cup from Joseph. The planted cup is found with Benjamin and his punishment is slavery. The brothers know there is no possible way they can return to Jacob without Benjamin and plead for alternatives. With the brothers finally showing responsibility and sorrow, Joseph reveals his true identity and forgives them. Jacob and his family all come to Egypt permanently.
The major distinction to note is that in Genesis the brothers, especially Judah, appear to have matured significantly since placing Joseph in a pit. In the Quran, the brothers are shown in a less flattering light.
In Genesis, when Joseph demands Benjamin return with them to Egypt, the brothers recognize how they had wronged Joseph so long ago, and tie the two together. Judah pledges to Jacob the safe return of Benjamin, and showed he intended to fulfill his oath by offering himself in the place of Benjamin when he is caught with the cup.
The Quran shows that the brothers still have not repented. Instead of Judah offering his oath of Benjamin’s safe return, Jacob has to demand the oath from his sons. And it isn’t until they are at the brink with Benjamin being accused and headed towards slavery that they confess their sins and plead for mercy. In the Quran, Benjamin’s fate is actually set in place by God with the purpose of bringing the brothers to repentance.
The distinction may not appear significant, but the portrayal of the brothers certainly feels different when reading both accounts. And I think the distinction is noteworthy. It feels like each version came from a different perspective. Both may be factually accurate, but depending on who you hear a story from is how you will feel about it. Not that there are sides in this story; we know Joseph’s brothers did a horrible thing and no excuse should be made for them.
It is also probably unfair to lump ten individual’s intentions and hearts all together. It is also difficult to know their sincerity. Does Judah’s pledge come from a Godly sorrow and desire to do what is right because it is right, or does it come from a guilty conscience he is trying to keep quiet? Perhaps a bit of both. A key component of repentance is confessing/admitting your sins, and there is no indication that happened until they went to Egypt. All the truth of what had happened to Joseph does not appear to be brought to light, especially to Jacob, until Joseph reconciles with his brothers. In either account, it is truly remarkable Joseph is able to forgive. And perhaps any lesson we take from this may have less to do with our need to repent, as the brothers eventually did. But, more with our need to forgive, as Joseph exemplified for us.
I conclude by quoting the words of Jacob found in the Quran 12:87, from the A. Yusuf Ali translation, since I find it most poetic,
“Never give up hope of God’s Soothing Mercy: truly no one despairs of God’s Soothing Mercy, except those who have no faith.”
Jacob, The Quran 12:87
What a great example Joseph is of that verse. From a pit, to slavery, to prison he had ample opportunity and justification to despair. But certainly, as he trusted in God and remained true and faithful, God blessed him with tender mercies and with soothing comfort. He was able to continue to see a broader view: his brothers did not send him to Egypt, but God did. God had a great work for Joseph to do, and God needed him to be in the right place at the right time so Joseph could fulfill it. When we are in the midst of our difficult trials it can be hard to see God’s hand guiding us through it. But perhaps we can remember Joseph and remain faithful and never give up hope of God’s Soothing Mercy.