In his childhood, Joseph had been taught the love and fear of God. Often in his father's tent, under the Syrian stars, he had been told the story of the night vision at Bethel, of the ladder from heaven to earth, and the descending and ascending angels, and of Him who from the throne above revealed Himself to Jacob. He had been told the story of the conflict beside the Jabbok, when, renouncing cherished sins, Jacob stood conqueror, and received the title of a prince with God.

Josef havde i sin barndom lært at elske og frygte Gud. I sin faders telt, under den syriske stjernehimmel, havde han ofte fået fortalt historien om det natlige syn ved Betel, om stigen mellem himmelen og jorden, om englene, som steg ned og op, og om ham, som fra sin trone deroppe åbenbarede sig for Jakob. Han havde fået fortalt historien om striden ved bækken Jabbok, hvor Jakob, efter at have givet slip på sine skødesynder, stod som sejrherre og modtog fyrstenavnet af Gud.