Joseph the Carpenter
Joseph the carpenter was the betrothed of Mary and, like her, of the family of David. The Ascension of Isaiah says that when Mary was found with child he wished to put her away, but the angel of the Spirit appeared and he kept her and revealed the matter to no one. Later his eyes were opened, he saw the infant and praised God.
The Cave of Treasures explains that Mary was given to Joseph, the son of her uncle, so that he might take care of her. The Magi find him sitting in astonishment in the cave. He circumcises the Child on the eighth day, an angel tells him to take the Child and His mother and flee into Egypt, and after the death of Herod he goes back to Galilee. The Kebra Nagast traces his descent to show that both he and Mary were of the house of David.
He is a different person from Joseph the son of Jacob.
Biography
- Occupation
- Carpenter
- Father
- Jacob
- Era
- Roman Judea
Family
Key Chapters
Key Passages
Joseph in Ascension of Isaiah 11
The Ascension of Isaiah 11:2
And I indeed saw a woman of the family of David the prophet, named Mary, a Virgin, and she was espoused to a man named J...
2nd I indeed saw a woman of the family of David the prophet, named Mary, a Virgin, and she was espoused to a man named Joseph, a carpenter, and he also was of the seed and family of the righteous David of Bethlehem Judah.
Joseph in Cave of Treasures 41
The Cave of Treasures 41:4
And, because of this, Paul cried out and said, “If they had only known [it] they were not crucifying the Lord of glory.”...
4nd, because of this, Paul cried out and said, “If they had only known [it] they were not crucifying the Lord of glory.” Let the mouths of the heretics be stopped who in their madness impute passibility to the Eternal God. Now, when Christ was eight days old, Joseph, the betrothed of Mary, rose up to circumcise the Child according to the Law, and he circumcised Him according to the custom that was the Law.
Joseph in Cave of Treasures 67
The Cave of Treasures 67:1
And because Joseph was the son of Mary’s uncle, by the fore-knowledge of God, Who knew that Mary would be certainly atta...
1nd because Joseph was the son of Mary’s uncle, by the fore-knowledge of God, Who knew that Mary would be certainly attacked by the Jews, Mary was given to Joseph, who was the son of her uncle, that he might take care of her. Observe, O our brother Nemesius, that the fathers of the blessed woman Mary belonged to the succession of the generations of David.
Joseph in Cave of Treasures 70
The Cave of Treasures 70:8
Such were the things which the Magi expected to see, but they saw them not; they saw sights which were far better than t...
8uch were the things which the Magi expected to see, but they saw them not; they saw sights which were far better than these when they went into the cave. They saw Joseph sitting in astonishment, and Mary in a state of wonderment, but there was no couch with cushions laid upon it, and no table with food laid out upon it, and no sign of the preparations which accompany royal state.
Joseph in Cave of Treasures 71
The Cave of Treasures 71:1
Now Christ was eight days old when the Magi presented their offerings; and Mary received them at the very time when Jose...
1ow Christ was eight days old when the Magi presented their offerings; and Mary received them at the very time when Joseph circumcised Christ. In truth, Joseph circumcised Him according to the Law, but he only went through (or imitated) the act of cutting, for no [flesh] whatsoever was cut off from Him.
Joseph in Cave of Treasures 74
The Cave of Treasures 74:1
And straightway the angel said unto Joseph, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and flee into Egypt.” And when ...
1nd straightway the angel said unto Joseph, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and flee into Egypt.” And when the registration was completed, the Jews were dismissed, so that each man might depart to his own district and to his own village. Then did Herod enquire for the Magi, and when he was told, “they have gone back to their own country,” he was exceedingly wroth, and he sent straightway and slew all the young children in Bethlehem, and in all the villages round about.
Joseph in Cave of Treasures 76
The Cave of Treasures 76:1
And when Herod died, and his death had been announced to Joseph, he went back to Galilee. And when Christ was thirty yea...
1nd when Herod died, and his death had been announced to Joseph, he went back to Galilee. And when Christ was thirty years old He was baptized by John. Now John was in the desert all the days of his life, and he lived upon the root which is called “Kamts,”’ which is wild honey. And in the twelfth year of the kingdom of Tiberius Christ suffered.
Joseph in Kebra Nagast 70
The Kebra Nagast 70:22
And Jacob took to wife Yohada, the wife of 'lli, and he begat by her Joseph the carpenter, who was the betrothed of Mary...
22nd Jacob took to wife Yohada, the wife of 'lli, and he begat by her Joseph the carpenter, who was the betrothed of Mary.
Joseph in Kebra Nagast 71
The Kebra Nagast 71:1
And from this it is evident that Mary was the daughter of David, and that Joseph was the son of David. Therefore was Mar...
1nd from this it is evident that Mary was the daughter of David, and that Joseph was the son of David. Therefore was Mary betrothed to Joseph her kinsman, as it is said in the Gospel, " O Joseph, son of David, fear thou not to take to wife Mary thy betrothed, for that which is to be born of her is of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God." And there was born of her God, the Word, Light of Light, God of God, Son of the Father, Who came and delivered His creation; from the hand of Sheol, and from Satan, and from death He hath delivered all of us who have believed in Him, He hath drawn us to His Father and hath raised us up into heaven His throne to become His heirs; for He is a lover of man, and unto Him praise belongeth for ever. Amen.
Did You Know?
The book names Joseph's parents as Jacob and Hadbhith, the daughter of Eleazar.
Joseph's father Jacob and Mary's father Yonakhir were sons of Matthan born at one conception, making Joseph the son of Mary's uncle.
When the Magi entered the cave they saw Joseph sitting in astonishment beside Mary.
Joseph circumcised Christ according to the Law, but the book says nothing at all was cut off.
An angel told him to flee to Egypt with the child, and he went back to Galilee when Herod's death was announced.