The Anthropology of Clothing in the Joseph Narrative

Abstract

One motif found throughout the Joseph narrative which has not received a great deal of attention is the garment motif. Garments are central to Joseph's position within his family and in the households he serves in Egypt. In each case he is given a distinctive garment and in the first three cases he leaves it behind, initiating a status change. In the final episode, when he has revealed himself to his family and is preparing to bring them to Egypt, Joseph reverses the pattern and gives garments to others (Gen. 45.22), marking the final status change in which he becomes the master.