The dramatic reversal of Israelite fortunes between Genesis and Exodus - from privileged status to brutal enslavement - has long puzzled biblical scholars. Yet close examination reveals this transformation began during Joseph's own lifetime, unfolding gradually over decades rather than erupting suddenly after his death. Through detailed analysis of biblical narratives, linguistic patterns, ceremonial protocols, and strategic textual silences, evidence emerges of Joseph's progressive loss of power beginning approximately seventeen years before his death, coinciding with Jacob's passing. The research traces clear markers of decline: Joseph's diminishing access to Pharaoh, his need to manipulate facts to secure Jacob's burial in Canaan, and mounting restrictions on Israelite movements that presaged their future bondage. By Joseph's death, the Israelites had already slipped into effective enslavement, as evidenced by the conspicuous absence of Egyptian mourning rituals and Genesis's unusually somber conclusion. This reinterpretation bridges the apparent narrative gap between Genesis and Exodus, demonstrating that the Israelites' fall from favor occurred through a series of subtle but inexorable steps, providing essential context for understanding their subsequent experience in Egypt.