The story of Joseph and his brothers told in Genesis 37 - 50 is one of the great narratives of world literature - first in the Bible itself and then in numerous adaptations in literature and art. It is a tale of hatred and reconciliation, of hunger and provision, of submission and freedom. This commentary focuses primarily on the biblical texts themselves, but the history of reception is also discussed in detail. The commentary interprets the story within its grand narrative arc, which also includes the seemingly out-of-context chapters 38 and 49.