As the firstborn son of Rachel, Jacob's second wife,
Biblical narrative
Joseph's father, Jacob (also called Israel), favored him and gave Joseph the coat as a gift; as a result, he was envied by his brothers, who saw the special coat as an indication that Joseph would assume family leadership.
The rebellious son, who comes back home in his shame and humiliation in Luke 15, is immediately given a robe of his father's. It marked the end of his old sinful self and the surrender of his will. The son allowed the coat to cover him, symbolizing the clean new life in relationship with his father.
A coat in a dream symbolizes protection and covering. It represents the need for emotional or physical shelter. Divine Markings.
“Joseph's “coat of many colours” (Genesis 37:3) was a representation of God's “light of many colours.” It was a depiction of God's glory found in the third heaven. It is God's righteousness emanating from Him! Furthermore, Joseph and Jesus Christ have many similarities—some 150 various analogous traits!
The song, 'Joseph's Coat', lists all the coat's colours: red, yellow, green, brown, scarlet, black, ochre, peach, ruby, olive, violet, fawn, lilac, gold, chocolate, mauve, cream, crimson, silver, rose, azure, lemon, russet, grey, purple, white, pink, orange and blue.
According to the book of Genesis, Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because Joseph was born to Jacob after he was already an old man. He was also the first born of Jacob's second wife (and true love). Because of his love for Joseph, Jacob blessed him with a coat of many colors.
In many cultures, coats are seen as symbols of protection, warmth, and comfort. They can also represent a person's social status or occupation.
Once again, these dreams are concerned with food, sustenance, and the earth: By interpreting this dream correctly, Joseph averts a famine and saves the people. Joseph's second dream is about heavenly or spiritual matters. In this one, the sun, the moon and the stars were bowing down to him.
Leviticus 16:4
He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these [are] holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and [so] put them on.
Reuben, upon discovering that Joseph was missing, then conspired with his brothers to deceive Jacob into believing that Joseph had been eaten by a wild beast. To feign his death they dipped Joseph's coat in the blood of a goat, which they then took to the aged patriarch.
Matthew 5:40 in Other Translations
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.
In the simplest sense, Joseph's coat of many colors symbolized favor. It was a garment given to Joseph by his father Jacob. It wasn't a work garment like his brothers would wear, rather an elaborate work of art that was made to stand out. It spoke of nobility, not hard work.
Genesis 37:31-36 King James Version (KJV)
And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; and they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no.
Symbols associated with Joseph include the carpenter's square and lily. The carpenter's square not only symbolizes Joseph's trade but also the concept of truth.
Joseph's story shows us that when we fix our gaze on God and choose to rely on him, even the heaviest situations can be made lighter. Remember that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).
The “coat of many colors” Jacob gave to Joseph (see Genesis 37:3) is thought to represent the fact that Joseph received the birthright (see William Wilson, Old Testament Word Studies [1978], “colour,” p. 82).
Next to Jesus, Joseph may be the greatest example of godly character and integrity in the Bible. Joseph's story began with a dream at the age of seventeen. He knew the dreams he was having were from the Lord and that they revealed God's purpose and plans for his life.
A Coat of Suffering
When Joseph lost his coat of many colors he also lost favor because his father, thinking him dead, was unable to help him any further. It will be the same for you if you lose or fail to put on the Coat of Many Colors that Jesus purchased for you on Calvary. The favor of God will not be yours.
A coat is typically an outer garment for the upper body, worn by any gender for warmth or fashion. Coats typically have long sleeves and are open down the front, and closing by means of buttons, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners (AKA velcro), toggles, a belt, or a combination of some of these.
Joseph's Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat may have been elegant, fine, and ultimate in good design but, with 29 colors, apparently had quite a bit of patchwork as well. How well do you know all of the colors?
Joseph's weaknesses in the Bible included pride and immaturity, which initially caused conflicts with his brothers. Despite these flaws, his ability to interpret dreams ultimately led to his success in Egypt, demonstrating personal growth.
Rachel said, "The LORD shall add to me another son." It was easy for Jacob to love little Joseph: he was the son of the wife he loved best, and he was born when Jacob was getting old. It was not long until everyone, including Joseph's brothers, knew that Joseph was Jacob's favorite son.
Genesis 39:2
Some of the keys to Joseph's success were: He was a hard worker with a strong work ethic. He worked well with people. He had leadership and business skills, which he clearly demonstrated later in his life (Genesis 41:46-49, 55-57).