And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
Read it in contextJoseph and His Brothers
Start reading at Genesis 37:1 (Genesis 37:1 to Genesis 37:36).
This passage introduces the story of Joseph, detailing his father's favoritism, his brothers' hatred, his dreams, and their plot to sell him into slavery.
37:1And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.
37:2These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
37:3Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.
37:4And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
37:5And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
37:6And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:
37:7For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.
37:8And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
37:9And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
37:10And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
37:11And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
37:12And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem.
37:13And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.
37:14And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
37:15And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?
37:16And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.
37:17And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan.
37:18And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.
37:19And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.
37:20Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
37:21And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.
37:22And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.
37:23And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;
37:24And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.
37:25And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.
37:26And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?
37:27Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.
37:28Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
37:29And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.
37:30And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?
37:31And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;
37:32And 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.
37:33And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.
37:34And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
37:35And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.
37:36And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Moses is the traditional Jewish and Christian author of Genesis as part of the Pentateuch. Genesis itself does not explicitly identify its writer. Biblical references: John 5:46; Mark 12:26. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Genesis 37:1–37:36): Joseph, Jacob, Joseph's brothers, and the traders are the main participants in Joseph's dreams, rejection, and sale into Egypt. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel, the covenant people descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were the first community for whom this account of their origins was preserved. An exact first circulation date or named recipient is not established. Biblical references: Genesis 12:1; Genesis 17:7; Genesis 35:10. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The main event described is the intense hatred Joseph's brethren felt for him because their father, Jacob, loved Joseph more than them. This favoritism was evident in Jacob's actions, such as making Joseph a coat of many colours.
What is God revealing? God is revealing the destructive power of favoritism and jealousy within a family, which leads to hatred and an inability to communicate peacefully. This sets the stage for God's providential plan to use these sinful actions for a greater purpose.
What is the literary style? The literary style is narrative history.
When
When was it written? The book of Genesis was written between approximately 1440 and 1400 B.C. book background
When does the event take place? The event takes place during the lifetime of Joseph, specifically when he was seventeen years old, within the period from Creation to the death of Joseph. stated in the text
Where
Where did it happen? The events described in this passage occurred in the land of Canaan, where Jacob dwelt. stated in the text
Where was the author located? The author, Moses, was located in the Wilderness of Sinai when the book was written. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Joseph and His Brothers (Genesis 37:1 to Genesis 37:36).
Start reading at Genesis 37:1. This passage introduces the story of Joseph, detailing his father's favoritism, his brothers' hatred, his dreams, and their plot to sell him into slavery.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse is foundational to the entire Joseph narrative, explaining the deep-seated animosity that motivated his brothers to later conspire against him, sell him into slavery, and deceive their father. It marks the beginning of Joseph's journey, which ultimately leads to his rise in Egypt and the salvation of his family. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? Joseph, hated by his own brethren without cause, foreshadows Christ, who was rejected and hated by His own people (John 1:11, John 15:25). Just as Joseph's suffering ultimately led to the salvation of his family, Christ's rejection and suffering led to salvation for all who believe. interpretation
How do I apply it today? This passage serves as a warning against the dangers of favoritism and jealousy within families, which can lead to hatred and division. It encourages us to treat all with love and fairness, and to address conflicts peacefully rather than allowing bitterness to fester and lead to destructive actions. interpretation
Cited: Genesis 37:1, Genesis 37:2, Genesis 37:3, Genesis 37:4, John 1:11, John 15:25
Who wrote it, and how we know
Moses (traditional)From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. Elsewhere Scripture attributes the Law to Moses, and Jesus calls it the book of Moses. Exodus 17:14Joshua 8:31Mark 12:26John 5:46
Early traditionJewish tradition (Talmud, Baba Bathra 14b) and the early church assign the first five books to Moses.
What is debatedSome scholars propose several later sources behind the Pentateuch. A few notes appear to be written after Moses, such as the list of kings in Genesis 36:31.
Stephen summarizes a long history. His summary should not be mistaken for a verse-by-verse duplicate or used to erase details that require further study.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Genesis 37
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Genesis introduces creation, the nations, and the ancestral family of Israel. It does not name a recipient or give a composition date. Read the promises to named people in their narrated settings before applying them to later readers. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Joseph's experiences lead to the preservation of Jacob's family in Egypt. The book closes with confidence about a future return, preparing the setting of Exodus.
Connection to the wholeJoseph's experiences lead to the preservation of Jacob's family in Egypt. The book closes with confidence about a future return, preparing the setting of Exodus.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Joseph's experiences lead to the preservation of Jacob's family in Egypt. The book closes with confidence about a future return, preparing the setting of Exodus.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Genesis
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Genesis introduces creation, the nations, and the ancestral family of Israel. It does not name a recipient or give a composition date. Read the promises to named people in their narrated settings before applying them to later readers.
Connection to the wholeThe opening establishes God as Creator, describes human rebellion and its consequences, and traces the nations before narrowing the account to Abram's family.
Connection to the wholeThe narrative concentrates on God's promises to Abraham, the birth of Isaac, and the continuation of the family through whom the earlier promise is carried forward.
Connection to the wholeFamily rivalry, journeys, marriages, and reconciliation develop the promised line while also recording the related family of Esau.
Connection to the wholeJoseph's experiences lead to the preservation of Jacob's family in Egypt. The book closes with confidence about a future return, preparing the setting of Exodus.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.