Genesis 37
BSB1 Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had resided, the land of Canaan. 2 This is the account of Jacob. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was tending the flock with his brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah, and he brought their father a bad report about them. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors. 4 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. 5 Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine." 8 “Do you intend to reign over us?” his brothers asked. “Will you actually rule us?” So they hated him even more because of his dream and his statements. 9 Then Joseph had another dream and told it to his brothers. “Look,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me." 10 He told his father and brothers, but his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream that you have had? Will your mother and brothers and I actually come and bow down to the ground before you?" 11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept in mind what he had said. 12 Some time later, Joseph’s brothers had gone to pasture their father’s flocks near Shechem. 13 Israel said to him, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flocks at Shechem? Get ready; I am sending you to them.” “I am ready,” Joseph replied. 14 Then Israel told him, “Go now and see how your brothers and the flocks are faring, and bring word back to me.” So he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. And when Joseph arrived in Shechem, 15 a man found him wandering in the field and asked, “What are you looking for?" 16 “I am looking for my brothers,” Joseph replied. “Can you please tell me where they are pasturing their flocks?" 17 “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan. 18 Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him. 19 “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another. 20 “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!" 21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue Joseph from their hands. “Let us not take his life,” he said. 22 “Do not shed his blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this so that he could rescue Joseph from their hands and return him to his father. 23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the robe of many colors he was wearing— 24 and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, with no water in it. 25 And as they sat down to eat a meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt. 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed. 28 So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt. 29 When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes, 30 returned to his brothers, and said, “The boy is gone! What am I going to do?" 31 Then they took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood. 32 They sent the robe of many colors to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe or not." 33 His father recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! A vicious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!" 34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days. 35 All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him. 36 Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.
Study Notes — Genesis 37
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Genesis 37
- Themes from Genesis 37
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Genesis 37
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Genesis chapter 37 begins with a description of Jacob's family, including his twelve sons, with a focus on Joseph, who was his father's favorite. The chapter then tells the story of how Joseph's brothers, who were jealous of him, conspired against him and sold him into slavery. Meanwhile, Jacob was left to mourn the loss of his beloved son, unaware of what had really happened to him. The chapter also includes a brief account of Judah's family and his marriage to a Canaanite woman, as well as the birth of his sons. Key verses include Genesis 37:3-4, which describe Jacob's love for Joseph and the brothers' jealousy, and Genesis 37:23-24, which recount the brothers' plot to get rid of Joseph. The chapter ends with Joseph being taken to Egypt, where he would eventually rise to a position of great power and influence.
Context for the Chapter
Genesis chapter 37 is part of the larger narrative of the book of Genesis, which tells the story of creation, the early history of humanity, and the patriarchs of the Israelites. This chapter is specifically part of the story of Jacob and his family, which is a key part of the book's narrative. The events of this chapter set the stage for the rest of Joseph's story, which is told in the subsequent chapters of Genesis. In the larger biblical narrative, the story of Joseph is an important part of the story of God's people, Israel, and it ultimately points to the coming of Jesus Christ, who would redeem God's people from their sins.
Heart Application
As we reflect on the story of Joseph, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and providence, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. We are also warned about the dangers of unchecked jealousy and the importance of humility and gratitude. As we consider our own lives and relationships, we can ask ourselves if there are areas where we are struggling with jealousy or favoritism, and we can seek to cultivate humility and gratitude in our own hearts.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Genesis chapter 37 tells the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers. Despite the difficult circumstances of his life, God was always working to bring about His plans and purposes. As we reflect on this story, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and providence, and we are warned about the dangers of unchecked jealousy and favoritism. For example, in Genesis 37:3-4, we see how Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph contributes to the brothers' jealousy, and in Genesis 37:11, we see how God uses the circumstances of Joseph's life to bring about His plans and purposes.
Voices from the Church
“The story of Joseph is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and providence, and it encourages us to trust in Him even in the midst of difficult circumstances.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The jealousy of Joseph's brothers is a warning to us about the dangers of unchecked sin and the importance of cultivating humility and gratitude in our own hearts.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- Introduction to Joseph's story (Genesis 37:1-2) — The chapter begins with a description of Jacob's family, including his twelve sons, with a focus on Joseph, who was his father's favorite.
- The brothers' jealousy (Genesis 37:3-11) — The brothers' jealousy of Joseph is a driving force behind the plot to get rid of him, and it has significant consequences for the family.
- The plot to get rid of Joseph (Genesis 37:12-24) — The brothers conspire against Joseph and sell him into slavery, while Jacob is left to mourn the loss of his beloved son.
- Judah's family (Genesis 37:25-30) — The chapter includes a brief account of Judah's family and his marriage to a Canaanite woman, as well as the birth of his sons.
- Conclusion (Genesis 37:31-36) — The chapter ends with Joseph being taken to Egypt, where he would eventually rise to a position of great power and influence.
Core Doctrines
- God's sovereignty
- This chapter teaches us about God's sovereignty and providence, as He works through the circumstances of Joseph's life to bring about His plans and purposes.
- The dangers of jealousy
- The chapter warns us about the dangers of unchecked jealousy and the importance of cultivating humility and gratitude in our own hearts.
- The importance of trust
- The story of Joseph encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty and providence, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
- The concept of redemption
- The chapter ultimately points to the coming of Jesus Christ, who would redeem God's people from their sins.
Lessons from Genesis 37
- The importance of trusting in God's sovereignty — The story of Joseph teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty and providence, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
- The dangers of unchecked jealousy and favoritism — The chapter warns us about the dangers of unchecked jealousy and favoritism, and encourages us to cultivate humility and gratitude in our own hearts.
- The concept of redemption — The chapter ultimately points to the coming of Jesus Christ, who would redeem God's people from their sins.
- The importance of forgiveness and reconciliation — The story of Joseph teaches us about the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation, as Joseph ultimately forgives his brothers and reconciles with them.
- The power of God's providence — The chapter shows us the power of God's providence, as He works through the circumstances of Joseph's life to bring about His plans and purposes.
Themes from Genesis 37
- God's sovereignty — The chapter teaches us about God's sovereignty and providence, as He works through the circumstances of Joseph's life to bring about His plans and purposes.
- Jealousy and favoritism — The chapter warns us about the dangers of unchecked jealousy and favoritism, and encourages us to cultivate humility and gratitude in our own hearts.
- Redemption — The chapter ultimately points to the coming of Jesus Christ, who would redeem God's people from their sins.
- Trust and faith — The story of Joseph encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty and providence, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
- Forgiveness and reconciliation — The story of Joseph teaches us about the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation, as Joseph ultimately forgives his brothers and reconciles with them.
Questions for Meditation
- What are some ways that God has worked through difficult circumstances in your own life to bring about His plans and purposes?
- How can you cultivate humility and gratitude in your own heart, and avoid the dangers of unchecked jealousy and favoritism?
- What are some ways that you can trust in God's sovereignty and providence, even in the midst of difficult circumstances?
- How does the story of Joseph point to the coming of Jesus Christ, and what are some implications of this for your own life and faith?
- What are some ways that you can apply the lessons of Genesis chapter 37 to your own relationships and circumstances?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. Introduction to Joseph's story (Genesis 37:1-2)
| 37:1 | The chapter begins with a description of Jacob's family, including his twelve sons, with a focus on Joseph, who was his father's favorite. |
| 37:2 | Joseph was seventeen years old, and he was taking care of the flocks with his brothers. |
2. The brothers' jealousy (Genesis 37:3-11)
| 37:3 | Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. |
| 37:4 | But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. |
| 37:5 | Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. |
| 37:6 | He said to them, 'Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.' |
| 37:7 | His brothers said to him, 'Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?' So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. |
| 37:8 | Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, 'Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.' |
| 37:9 | And he told it to his father and to his brothers. And his father rebuked him and said to him, 'What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?' |
| 37:10 | And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father observed the matter. |
| 37:11 | Then his brothers went to pasture their father's flock near Shechem. |
3. The plot to get rid of Joseph (Genesis 37:12-24)
| 37:12 | And his brothers went to pasture their father's flock near Shechem. |
| 37:13 | And Israel said to Joseph, 'Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.' And he said to him, 'Here I am.' |
| 37:14 | So he said to him, 'Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word again.' So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. |
| 37:15 | And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, 'What are you seeking?' |
| 37:16 | I am seeking my brothers,' he said. 'Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.' |
| 37:17 | And the man said, 'They have gone away, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'' So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. |
| 37:18 | They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. |
| 37:19 | They said to one another, 'Here comes this dreamer. |
| 37:20 | Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.' |
| 37:21 | But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, 'Let us not take his life.' |
| 37:22 | And Reuben said to them, 'Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him'—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. |
| 37:23 | So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. |
| 37:24 | And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. |
4. Judah's family (Genesis 37:25-30)
| 37:25 | Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. |
| 37:26 | Then Judah said to his brothers, 'What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?' |
| 37:27 | Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.' And his brothers listened to him. |
| 37:28 | Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt. |
| 37:29 | When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes |
| 37:30 | and returned to his brothers and said, 'The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?' |
5. Conclusion (Genesis 37:31-36)
| 37:31 | Then they took Joseph's robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. |
| 37:32 | And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, 'This we have found; identify it, please.' |
| 37:33 | And he identified it and said, 'It is my son's robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.' |
| 37:34 | Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. |
| 37:35 | All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, 'No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.' Thus his father wept for him. |
| 37:36 | Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Genesis chapter 37?
The main theme of Genesis chapter 37 is the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers, and how God worked through the circumstances of his life to bring about His plans and purposes, as seen in Genesis 37:5-11 and Genesis 37:23-24.
Why did the brothers hate Joseph?
The brothers hated Joseph because their father, Jacob, loved him more than any of his other sons, and because Joseph had dreams that suggested he would one day rule over them, as seen in Genesis 37:3-4 and Genesis 37:8.
What happened to Joseph after his brothers sold him into slavery?
After his brothers sold him into slavery, Joseph was taken to Egypt, where he would eventually rise to a position of great power and influence, as seen in Genesis 37:28 and Genesis 37:36.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 37:1 → Genesis 30:22-24 | The description of Jacob's family in Genesis 37:1 is similar to the description in Genesis 30:22-24, which highlights the importance of family and relationships in the biblical narrative. |
| 2 | Genesis 37:3 → Genesis 30:1-2 | The favoritism shown by Jacob towards Joseph in Genesis 37:3 is similar to the favoritism shown by Rachel towards Joseph in Genesis 30:1-2, which highlights the themes of family dynamics and sibling rivalry. |
| 3 | Genesis 37:5 → Genesis 28:12 | The dream of Joseph in Genesis 37:5 is similar to the dream of Jacob in Genesis 28:12, which highlights the theme of God's sovereignty and providence in the lives of His people. |
| 4 | Genesis 37:11 → Genesis 30:22-24 | The brothers' jealousy of Joseph in Genesis 37:11 is similar to the jealousy of the brothers in Genesis 30:22-24, which highlights the dangers of unchecked sin and the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. |
| 5 | Genesis 37:23 → Genesis 30:1-2 | The plot to get rid of Joseph in Genesis 37:23 is similar to the plot to get rid of Esau in Genesis 30:1-2, which highlights the themes of sibling rivalry and family dynamics. |
| 6 | Genesis 37:25 → Genesis 25:1-4 | The caravan of Ishmaelites in Genesis 37:25 is similar to the caravan of Ishmaelites in Genesis 25:1-4, which highlights the theme of God's sovereignty and providence in the lives of His people. |
| 7 | Genesis 37:28 → Genesis 25:1-4 | The sale of Joseph into slavery in Genesis 37:28 is similar to the sale of Esau's birthright in Genesis 25:1-4, which highlights the theme of God's sovereignty and providence in the lives of His people. |
| 8 | Genesis 37:31 → 2 Samuel 13:1-39 | The deception of Jacob by his sons in Genesis 37:31 is similar to the deception of David by his son Absalom in 2 Samuel 13:1-39, which highlights the theme of family dynamics and the dangers of unchecked sin. |
| 9 | Genesis 37:36 → Psalm 105:17-22 | The sale of Joseph into slavery in Genesis 37:36 is similar to the sale of Joseph into slavery in Psalm 105:17-22, which highlights the theme of God's sovereignty and providence in the lives of His people. |
| 10 | Genesis 37:1 → John 1:1 | The story of Joseph in Genesis 37:1 is similar to the story of Jesus in John 1:1, which highlights the theme of God's sovereignty and providence in the lives of His people. |
Sermons on Genesis 37
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Revival (Joseph) by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher talks about the harsh treatment of slaves in the past, where they were chained and made to work as human horses. He emphasizes the importance of bringi |
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(Genesis) Genesis 38:27-30 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Joseph from the book of Genesis. Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers and ends up in Egypt, where he becomes a prominent |
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(Genesis) Genesis 37:13-19 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher draws a comparison between the biblical story of Joseph and the Lord Jesus. He highlights the miraculous births of both Joseph and Jesus, as well as th |
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(Genesis) Genesis 37:1-3 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Joseph from the book of Genesis. Joseph, at the age of 17, was the youngest among his brothers and was tasked with feeding the |
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(Genesis) Genesis 37:29-33 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jacob and his son Joseph. Jacob had deceived his own father in the past, and now he is deceived by his own sons who make him bel |
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(Genesis) Genesis 37:20-26 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Joseph and his brothers from the book of Genesis. The speaker highlights the actions of Reuben, who shows maturity and compassio |
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(Genesis) Genesis 37:7-12 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the dreams of Joseph from the book of Genesis. Joseph had two dreams where his family members, including his parents and brothers, bowed dow |
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(Genesis) Genesis 37:4-6 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Joseph from the Bible. He explains that Joseph, at the age of 17, was a rather gullible and naive boy who had been sheltered by |
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(Genesis) Genesis 37:34-36 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the grief of Jacob over the loss of his son Joseph. Jacob is seen mourning for his son and refusing to be comforted. The speaker suggests tha |
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(Genesis) Genesis 37:27-28 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers. He explains that the Ishmaelites and the Midianites had joined together, making t |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Genesis 37
In Genesis chapter 37, we see the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers. This chapter is a powerful example of God's sovereignty and providence, as He works through the circumstances of Joseph's life to bring about His plans and purposes. As Matthew Henry writes, 'The affairs of Joseph, though they seemed to be in a very bad posture, were all working together for his good, and for the good of God's church.' This chapter teaches us about the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and providence, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, and it ultimately points to the coming of Jesus Christ, who would redeem God's people from their sins, as seen in Genesis 37:5-11 and Genesis 37:23-24. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The brothers' jealousy
The brothers' jealousy of Joseph is a recurring theme throughout the chapter, and it ultimately leads to their plot to get rid of him. This serves as a warning about the dangers of unchecked jealousy and the importance of humility and gratitude.
Jacob's favoritism
Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph contributes to the brothers' jealousy and creates tension within the family. This highlights the importance of fairness and equality in relationships.
God's sovereignty
Despite the difficult circumstances of Joseph's life, God is always working to bring about His plans and purposes. This is evident in the way that God uses the brothers' jealousy and Joseph's slavery to ultimately bring about Joseph's rise to power and influence.