ACT I

Jacob had twelve sons. His wife Leah and her servants Bilhah and Zilpah gave birth to Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Gad, Asher, Dan, and Naphtali. His wife Rachel gave him Joseph and Benjamin.

Joseph tells his brothers his dreams, which predict that his father and his brothers will someday bow down before him. This angers the brothers.

Jacob sends his favorite son, Joseph, to oversee his brothers, who are shepherding livestock. Joseph does not want to go, but nevertheless obeys his father's orders.

The brothers dream about women. Upon seeing Joseph, they are overcome with anger. They want to kill him, but the eldest, Reuben, convinces them to throw Joseph into a pit instead.

The brothers attack Joseph. He tries to plead with them, but his efforts are in vain.

Reuben sells Joseph to slave merchants for twenty silver shekels.

The brothers show Jacob his son Joseph's torn clothing, telling him that Joseph was torn apart by wild beasts.

Joseph has become head of servants in Potiphar's household. Potiphar's wife tries to seduce Joseph and, after being rejected by him, accuses him of attempted rape.

Joseph is in jail together with the Pharaoh's baker and cupbearer. He interprets their dreams. He predicts that the cupbearer will once again enjoy the goodwill of the Pharaoh, and be reinstated in his position; but the baker, according to Joseph's prediction, will be executed. When the baker and the cupbearer get in a fight, Joseph tells the guards that the baker instigated the argument.

Joseph is in despair over his fate; he asks God why he has been forced to endure these trials. A guard brings Joseph to see the Pharaoh.

The Pharoah makes Joseph interpret his dreams. Joseph interprets both dreams - the dream about seven fat cows and seven lean cows and the dream about seven full ears and seven withered ears of grain - in the same way: Egypt will have seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Joseph suggests that the Pharaoh appoint a viceroy to collect duties during the years of plenty and thus prepare the country for the years of famine.

The Pharaoh appoints Joseph viceroy over Egypt, and marries him to Asenath, daughter of Potiphar. Asenath and the people of Egypt praise Joseph.

The choir sings of the seven years of plenty and of the seven years of famine, when there was famine in all the lands, not just in Egypt.

ACT II

Benjamin wants to go with his brothers to Egypt where they plan to buy grain. Jacob won't let him, as Benjamin is Rachel's last son, and Jacob is still mourning the loss of Rachel's other son, Joseph.

Asenath praises God and Joseph, who has saved Egypt from famine. Joseph praises God, who has given him Asenath and two sons.

The brothers go to see Joseph, whom they don't recognize, and beg him to sell them grain. Joseph accuses them of being spies and imprisons them.

In jail, the brothers bemoan the cruelty of fate. Reuben tells them that it is punishment for what they did to Joseph.

Joseph comes to the jail and makes the brothers bow down before him. Reuben explains that their father and their youngest brother, Benjamin, are awaiting their return to Canaan. Joseph orders Reuben to bring Benjamin to Egypt.

Jacob mourns the loss of his children. Now Reuben wants to take Benjamin away from him, too. Reuben and Benjamin finally convince Jacob to let his youngest son travel to Egypt. All pray for God's mercy.

Joseph's song of weeping and anger, battling the desire for revenge.
Joseph meets Reuben and Benjamin and frees the brothers from jail.
Joseph, the brothers, and Asnath celebrate in Joseph's home. The brothers go back to Canaan.

Asenath sings of love, but Joseph makes the guards chase after the brothers. Asenath asks Joseph to come with her. Joseph sends her away.

Joseph accuses the brothers of theft. Each of them opens his sack for Joseph to inspect. Joseph's silver goblet falls out of Benjamin's sack.
Reuben offers to remain as a slave to Joseph, so that Benjamin may return home to his father. Joseph discloses his identity to his brothers. They flee in fear.

Jacob thanks God that He has brought him to Egypt, and that Joseph is alive. He blesses his sons - Joseph most of all. Before he gets a chance to bless Benjamin, Jacob dies. Benjamin blesses himself, shouting that he is a wild wolf.

The choir praises God.

"Jacob Had Twelve Sons"