Yosef the Righteous Spent 12 Years in Prison
The following timeline details the years of Yosef's life from his sale into slavery until his appearance before Pharaoh, based on sources from Seder Olam Rabbah, Be'ur ha-Gra, and Rashi.
- Year 17 (Creation 2216): Yosef sold when he was 17.
- Year 18 (Creation 2217): Yosef served Potiphar for one year. (See 39:5 ‘and from the time the Egyptian put him in charge of the house… ‘in the house’ – from the effects of the heat (season of summer) ‘and outside’ - from the effects of the cold (season of winter) from Seder Olam Rabbah and Be’ur ha-Gra).
- Years 19-28 (Creation 2218-2227): The imprisonment of Yosef. Yosef was destined to spend 10 years in prison (one year each for the ‘slander’ of 10 brothers).
- Years 19-27 (Creation 2218-2226): Yosef spent 9 years in prison prior to the imprisonment of the chief cupbearer and of the chief baker.
- Year 28 (Creation 2227): One year together prior to the release of the baker and the execution of the cupbearer. (See 40:4 ‘When they had been in custody for some time…’ Rashi - Twelve months).
- Years 29-30 (Creation 2228-2229): Two years Yosef in prison prior to his appearance before Paroh at the age of 30.