In Attar's Elahi-Nameh, the tale of Gabriel visiting Joseph in the well serves as an allegory for divine providence and the moral trial of absolute power. When Joseph is abandoned in the well by his brothers, Gabriel arrives to comfort him, prophesying his future rule over Egypt and the eventual subjugation of his siblings. Gabriel specifically tests Joseph by asking how he will treat his brothers once they are at his mercy—whether he will seek violent retribution or demonstrate forgiveness. The narrative explores the spiritual requirement to eschew vengeance even when divine destiny grants one the power to enact it.