Pharaoh dreams of cows being consumed by cows, and sheaves being replaced by sheaves. The dreams leave him puzzled and anxious. He demands to have someone interpret his dreams, but all the royal experts in such matters are at a loss as to what the dreams portend. The wine butler remembers Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams from their days in prison together. Pharaoh orders that Joseph be brought into his presence immediately. Joseph explicates the dreams: seven years of bounty will be followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh elevates Joseph to second in command of the whole country with the mandate to prepare for the famine while produce abounds.

During the famine, which extended beyond the borders of Egypt, ten of Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt to buy food. Joseph recognized them, but they don’t recognize him. Joseph accuses them of being spies and puts them through a series of unpleasant experiences in order to get them to bring his brother Benjamin to Egypt on their next trip to obtain provisions. Despite grave misgivings, Jacob ultimately accedes to his sons’ demands to have Benjamin accompany them to Egypt. There Joseph frames Benjamin for stealing his special wine goblet, and has him arrested.