Now who was that Joseph guy in the old story from Genesis?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WitWsF3D98&feature=share&list=PLB7B83FB679B66AAE&index=7

Former GetReligionista Brad Greenberg passed along this interesting item from Twitter, which barely requires commentary of any kind. However, since commentary is what we do here, let’s start off with a bit of biblical context for this amazing correction from The New York Times.

This famous story from the book of Genesis is offered here with no implied connection whatsoever to current economic conditions here in the United States of America or anywhere else. Honest. The great Gray Lady brought this up.

We will start with the voice of Joseph, in verse 33:

“… Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.”

This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt.

Like I said, it’s a very famous story and just about anyone who has ever spent any time in a synagogue or church would know it. You could even have been exposed to this familiar story in a theater or via DVD, care of Steven Spielberg and Co. at Dreamworks.

Alas, these simple qualifications appear to be rare these days on the copy desk of the Times. Thus, a passing reference to the biblical Joseph led to one the most amazing corrections of all time.

So here is the original Twitter reference from Josh Greenman, which Brad passed along to us:

War on religion: pic.twitter.com/z3M8eLBGtw

— Josh Greenman (@joshgreenman) January 28, 2014

Now, just in case there is a problem reading that full tweet on some devices, here is the link to the original Times report, which now ends with this note:

Correction: January 28, 2014

An article on Dec. 15 about mounting calls in Iran to free two opposition leaders, Mir Hussein Moussavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who have been under house arrest since 2011, referred incorrectly to Joseph, the biblical figure to whom one reformist politician compared Mr. Moussavi. According to the Bible, Joseph, a former inmate, became the chief minister of the king of Egypt, not the king himself. A reader pointed out the error in an email shortly after the article was published; this correction was delayed because editors did not follow through on the complaint.

Ouch. Nevertheless, thanks for the correction.