Told in storybook fashion, Joseph was born into a family of twelve boys, all the sons of Jacob. Joseph is Jacob’s favourite son, and to show everyone he is pleased with him, Jacob gives Joseph a splendid multi-coloured coat. However, the coat and his visions that he will rule his brothers arouse the jealousy of the other eleven. They decide to kill him, but before they get the chance, they meet up with the group of Ishmaelites travelling to Egypt.  A plan is hatched, and they sell their brother as a slave instead. So Joseph is taken off to Egypt, and his brothers return to tell their father that his favourite son is dead, producing his wonderful coat—which they have stained with the blood of a goat—as proof.

Potiphar, a powerful man in Egypt, takes Joseph into his household as a slave.

While there, Joseph works so hard and is so honest that Potiphar begins to admire him greatly. Unfortunately, he also catches the eye of his master’s wife, who tries to seduce him. When Potiphar catches them together, he assumes the worst (even though Joseph is innocent) and sends Joseph to prison. While there, Joseph meets two of Pharaoh’s servants, a butler and a baker, both of whom have had strange dreams. Joseph interprets their dreams and correctly tells their future.

Meanwhile, Pharaoh, the most powerful man in Egypt, has also been having unusual dreams. No one can interpret these dreams, so Pharaoh is intrigued when he hears of the young slave’s ability. He immediately has Joseph brought before him to interpret his dreams. Joseph offers his interpretation: seven years of bounty will be followed by seven years of famine, and Pharaoh is so impressed that he appoints Joseph to a government post. He will be in charge of storing food for the upcoming hard times.

When the famine does hit, Joseph’s father and brothers in Canaan are ill-prepared. They hear that food is available in Egypt, so the brothers travel there to beg for help. Once there, Joseph recognises them immediately, even though they do not know him. He tests their honesty and humility by planting a golden chalice in the sack of his brother, Benjamin, to see what they will say. When confronted with the supposed evidence of theft, the brothers maintain the boy’s innocence and offer to let themselves be taken prisoner instead. Joseph sees that his brothers have changed, so, to everyone’s great joy, he reveals his true identity. Finally, Jacob is brought to Egypt to join his family and, at last, see his beloved son again.