Genesis 37:35
Genesis 37:35 in Multiple Translations
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.
And 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.
And 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 to Sheol to my son mourning. And his father wept for him.
And all his sons and all his daughters came to give him comfort, but he would not be comforted, saying with weeping, I will go down to the underworld to my son. So great was his father's sorrow for him.
All his sons and daughters tried to console him, but he rejected their attempts. “No,” he said, “I will go down into my grave mourning for my son.” So Joseph's father went on weeping for him.
Then all his sonnes and all his daughters rose vp to comfort him, but he woulde not be comforted, but said, Surely I will go downe into the graue vnto my sonne mourning: so his father wept for him.
and all his sons and all his daughters rise to comfort him, and he refuseth to comfort himself, and saith, 'For — I go down mourning unto my son, to Sheol,' and his father weepeth for him.
All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. He said, “For I will go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” His father wept for him.
And 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 to my son mourning: Thus his father wept for him.
And all his children being gathered together to comfort their father in his sorrow, he would not receive comfort, but said: I will go down to my son into hell, mourning. And whilst he continued weeping,
All of his children came to try to comfort him, but he did not pay attention to what they said. He said, “No, I will still be mourning/crying when I die and go to be with my son.” So Joseph’s father continued to cry because of what had happened to his son.
All of Jacob’s sons and daughters, they talked to Jacob, and they tried to help him feel happy again. But Jacob said, “No, I can’t be happy again. I will keep on crying for my son, until I die and go to join him.” And Jacob cried a lot for Joseph.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 37:35
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 37:35 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יָּקֻמוּ֩
כָל
בָּנָ֨י/ו
וְ/כָל
בְּנֹתָ֜י/ו
לְ/נַחֲמ֗/וֹ
וַ/יְמָאֵן֙
לְ/הִתְנַחֵ֔ם
וַ/יֹּ֕אמֶר
כִּֽי
אֵרֵ֧ד
אֶל
בְּנִ֛/י
אָבֵ֖ל
שְׁאֹ֑לָ/ה
וַ/יֵּ֥בְךְּ
אֹת֖/וֹ
אָבִֽי/ו
וַ/יָּקֻמוּ֩
qûwm
H6965
-kamai
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
כָל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
בָּנָ֨י/ו
bên
H1121
son
N-mp | Suff
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
בְּנֹתָ֜י/ו
bath
H1323
Bath (Shua)
N-fp | Suff
לְ/נַחֲמ֗/וֹ
nâcham
H5162
to be sorry
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff
וַ/יְמָאֵן֙
mâʼên
H3985
to refuse
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
לְ/הִתְנַחֵ֔ם
nâcham
H5162
to be sorry
Prep | V-Hithpael-Inf-a
וַ/יֹּ֕אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אֵרֵ֧ד
yârad
H3381
to go down
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
בְּנִ֛/י
bên
H1121
son
N-ms | Suff
אָבֵ֖ל
ʼâbêl
H57
mourning
Adj
שְׁאֹ֑לָ/ה
shᵉʼôwl
H7585
hell
N-ms | Suff
וַ/יֵּ֥בְךְּ
bâkâh
H1058
to weep
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֹת֖/וֹ
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
אָבִֽי/ו
ʼâb
H1
father
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 37:35
וַ/יָּקֻמוּ֩
qûwm
H6965
"-kamai"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
Qum means to rise or stand up, used in various contexts like rising to power or standing firm, as seen in Jeremiah and Ezra.
Definition: Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B) § -Kamai = "my adversary" Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai
Usage: Occurs in 596 OT verses. KJV: abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). See also: Genesis 4:8; Numbers 30:13; Ruth 4:10.
כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בָּנָ֨י/ו
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בְּנֹתָ֜י/ו
bath
H1323
"Bath (Shua)"
N-fp | Suff
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
לְ/נַחֲמ֗/וֹ
nâcham
H5162
"to be sorry"
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff
To comfort means showing pity or sympathy, as seen in God's actions throughout the Bible, such as in Isaiah 40. The word can also imply regret or remorse, like in the story of Jonah, who was sorry for his actions. It involves easing someone's pain or discomfort.
Definition: : comfort 1) to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be sorry, be moved to pity, have compassion 1a2) to be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent 1a3) to comfort oneself, be comforted 1a4) to comfort oneself, ease oneself 1b) (Piel) to comfort, console 1c) (Pual) to be comforted, be consoled 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to be sorry, have compassion 1d2) to rue, repent of 1d3) to comfort oneself, be comforted 1d4) to ease oneself Also means: na.cham (נָחַם ": relent" H5162H)
Usage: Occurs in 100 OT verses. KJV: comfort (self), ease (one's self), repent(-er,-ing, self). See also: Genesis 5:29; Isaiah 12:1; Psalms 23:4.
וַ/יְמָאֵן֙
mâʼên
H3985
"to refuse"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to say no or reject something. It is used in Exodus 23:5 to describe refusing to help someone in need. God commands people to not refuse help.
Definition: (Piel) to refuse
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: refuse, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 37:35; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 77:3.
לְ/הִתְנַחֵ֔ם
nâcham
H5162
"to be sorry"
Prep | V-Hithpael-Inf-a
To comfort means showing pity or sympathy, as seen in God's actions throughout the Bible, such as in Isaiah 40. The word can also imply regret or remorse, like in the story of Jonah, who was sorry for his actions. It involves easing someone's pain or discomfort.
Definition: : comfort 1) to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be sorry, be moved to pity, have compassion 1a2) to be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent 1a3) to comfort oneself, be comforted 1a4) to comfort oneself, ease oneself 1b) (Piel) to comfort, console 1c) (Pual) to be comforted, be consoled 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to be sorry, have compassion 1d2) to rue, repent of 1d3) to comfort oneself, be comforted 1d4) to ease oneself Also means: na.cham (נָחַם ": relent" H5162H)
Usage: Occurs in 100 OT verses. KJV: comfort (self), ease (one's self), repent(-er,-ing, self). See also: Genesis 5:29; Isaiah 12:1; Psalms 23:4.
וַ/יֹּ֕אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אֵרֵ֧ד
yârad
H3381
"to go down"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
בְּנִ֛/י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
אָבֵ֖ל
ʼâbêl
H57
"mourning"
Adj
This Hebrew word means mourning or lamenting, often for the dead or because of a disaster. It appears in the Bible as a time of sorrow. In the KJV, it is translated as mourn or mourner.
Definition: 1) mourning 1a) for the dead 1b) because of calamity 1c) of rites of mourning 2) mourner (subst.) 2a) for the dead 2b) for calamity
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: mourn(-er, -ing). See also: Genesis 37:35; Isaiah 57:18; Psalms 35:14.
שְׁאֹ֑לָ/ה
shᵉʼôwl
H7585
"hell"
N-ms | Suff
Sheol refers to the underworld or grave, a place of no return where the dead reside, as seen in the Old Testament. It is often translated as hell or pit in the KJV. This concept is mentioned in various books, including Psalms and Isaiah.
Definition: Sheol, underworld, grave, hell, pit 1a) the underworld 1b) Sheol-the OT designation for the abode of the dead 1b1) place of no return 1b2) without praise of God 1b3) wicked sent there for punishment 1b4) righteous not abandoned to it 1b5) of the place of exile (fig) 1b6) of extreme degradation in sin
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: grave, hell, pit. See also: Genesis 37:35; Psalms 139:8; Psalms 6:6.
וַ/יֵּ֥בְךְּ
bâkâh
H1058
"to weep"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To weep means to cry or shed tears, often in grief or sadness. In the Bible, weeping is a common expression of emotion, as seen in the stories of David and Jeremiah, who both wept bitterly in times of sorrow and repentance.
Definition: 1) to weep, bewail, cry, shed tears 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to weep (in grief, humiliation, or joy) 1a2) to weep bitterly (with cognate acc.) 1a3) to weep upon (embrace and weep) 1a4) to bewail 1b) (Piel) participle 1b1) lamenting 1b2) bewailing
Usage: Occurs in 100 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, bewail, complain, make lamentation, [idiom] more, mourn, [idiom] sore, [idiom] with tears, weep. See also: Genesis 21:16; 2 Samuel 12:21; Psalms 69:11.
אֹת֖/וֹ
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
אָבִֽי/ו
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-ms | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
Study Notes — Genesis 37:35
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 37:35 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 37:35
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 37:35
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 37:35
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 37:35
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 37:35
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 37:35
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 37:35
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 37:35
- Sermons on Genesis 37:35
Context — Jacob Mourns Joseph
33His father recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! A vicious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!”
34Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days.
35All 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.
36Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 42:38 | But Jacob replied, “My son will not go down there with you, for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If any harm comes to him on your journey, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.” |
| 2 | Job 2:11 | Now when Job’s three friends—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite—heard about all this adversity that had come upon him, each of them came from his home, and they met together to go and sympathize with Job and comfort him. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 12:17 | The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them. |
| 4 | Genesis 42:31 | But we told him, ‘We are honest men, not spies. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 31:15 | This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” |
| 6 | Psalms 77:2 | In the day of trouble I sought the Lord; through the night my outstretched hands did not grow weary; my soul refused to be comforted. |
| 7 | Genesis 35:22–26 | While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons: The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Rachel’s maidservant Bilhah were Dan and Naphtali. And the sons of Leah’s maidservant Zilpah were Gad and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan-aram. |
| 8 | Genesis 31:43 | But Laban answered Jacob, “These daughters are my daughters, these sons are my sons, and these flocks are my flocks! Everything you see is mine! Yet what can I do today about these daughters of mine or the children they have borne? |
| 9 | Genesis 44:29–31 | Now if you also take this one from me and harm comes to him, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.’ So if the boy is not with us when I return to your servant, and if my father, whose life is wrapped up in the boy’s life, sees that the boy is not with us, he will die. Then your servants will have brought the gray hair of your servant our father down to Sheol in sorrow. |
| 10 | Genesis 45:28 | “Enough!” declared Israel. “My son Joseph is still alive! I will go to see him before I die.” |
Genesis 37:35 Summary
[Genesis 37:35 shows us that Jacob was deeply grieving the loss of his son Joseph, and he felt like he would never be comforted again. This is a natural response to loss, but as believers, we can find comfort in God's presence and promises, as seen in Psalm 34:18. We can also seek support from our community of believers, just as the early church did in Acts 2:42-47. By turning to God and to others, we can find strength and comfort in times of sorrow.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jacob refuse to be comforted by his sons and daughters?
Jacob refused to be comforted because he was deeply grieving the loss of his son Joseph, and he felt that his sorrow was too great to be alleviated by their words, as seen in Genesis 37:35. This response is reminiscent of Job's refusal to be comforted by his friends in Job 2:11-13.
What does Jacob mean by saying he will go down to Sheol mourning for his son?
When Jacob says he will go down to Sheol mourning for his son, he means that he expects to die of grief, or at the very least, to live out the rest of his days in sorrow, as expressed in Genesis 37:35. This is similar to how King David mourned the death of his son in 2 Samuel 12:23.
How can we, as believers, respond to times of great sorrow and loss?
In times of great sorrow and loss, we can turn to God for comfort, just as the Psalmist did in Psalm 34:18. We can also seek support from our community of believers, as seen in Galatians 6:2, where we are called to bear one another's burdens.
Is it okay to feel overwhelming grief, like Jacob did, when we experience loss?
Yes, it is okay to feel overwhelming grief, as the Bible acknowledges that sorrow is a natural response to loss, as seen in Ecclesiastes 3:4 and John 11:35. However, we can also find comfort in God's promise to be near to the brokenhearted, as stated in Psalm 34:18.
Reflection Questions
- How do you respond to loss and sorrow in your own life, and how can you turn to God for comfort in those times?
- What are some ways that you can support and comfort others who are grieving, just as Jacob's sons and daughters tried to comfort him?
- How can you balance the need to grieve and process your emotions with the need to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, as seen in Romans 8:28?
- What are some promises from Scripture that you can hold onto in times of sorrow, such as Psalm 23:4 or Isaiah 43:2?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 37:35
And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him,.... His sons must act a most hypocritical part in this affair; and as for his daughters, it is not easy to say who they were, since he
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 37:35
And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; They took Joseph's coat.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 37:35
All his daughters; Dinah, and his daughters-in-law, and his sons’ daughters. The grave; this Hebrew word sheol is taken sometimes for hell, as , but most commonly for the grave, or the place or state of the dead, as 44:29,31 Psa 6:5 16:10, &c. And whether of those it signifies, must be determined by the subject and the circumstances of the place. Here it cannot be meant of hell, for Jacob neither could believe that good Joseph was there, nor would have resolved to go thither; but the sense is, I will kill myself with grief, or I will never leave mourning till I die. Unto my son; or, for my son: so the preposition el is oft used for al, as 4:19,21,22 .
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 37:35
Genesis 37:35 And 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.Ver. 35. And all his sons, &c.] Oh, faces hatched with impudence! Oh, hearts hewn out of a rock! Could they cause his woe, and then comfort him? Miserable comforters were they all; such as the usurer is to the young novice, or the crocodile that weeps over the dead body that it is devouring. These were the evil beasts that devoured Joseph. But he refused to be comforted.] Wherein he showed his fatherly love, but not his son-like subjection to God’ s good providence: without the which, no evil beast could have set tooth in Joseph; whom he was sure also to receive safe and whole again at the resurrection: which was a great comfort to those afflicted Jews, and those mangled martyrs. Thus his father wept for him.] Jacob’ s father Isaac, saith Junius; which might very well be; for he lived twelve years after this, and likely loved Joseph best, for his great towardiiness. Nullae infestae hominibus bestiae, ut sunt sibi ferales plerique Christiani. - Am.
Marcell., lib. ii. cap. 2. A sad thing that a heathen should see cause to say so.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 37:35
(35) Into the grave.—Heb., Sheol, which, like Hades in Greek, means the place of departed spirits. Jacob supposed that Joseph had been devoured by wild beasts, and as he was not buried, the father could not have “gone down into the grave unto his son.” (Comp. Note on Genesis 15:15.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 37:35
Verse 35. All his sons and all his daughters] He had only one daughter, Dinah; but his sons' wives may be here included. But what hypocrisy in his sons to attempt to comfort him concerning the death of a son who they knew was alive; and what cruelty to put their aged father to such torture, when, properly speaking, there was no ground for it!
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 37:35
35. his daughters] Either a different version from that in chap. 30 where Dinah is his only daughter; or referring to his sons’ wives. the grave] Heb. Sheol, the name of the abode of the dead, answering to the Greek ᾅ ?äçò, e.g. Acts 2:27. Sheol, as the region of the dead, is, according to Hebrew ideas, the locality beneath the ground, where the disembodied spirits led a shadowy existence. See Isaiah 14:9-20. Jacob thinks that he will arrive in Sheol, as he had been on the earth, in mourning for his lost son. See Genesis 42:38. The shade of his son will there recognize the signs of his father’s grief for his sake. “To bring a man’s gray hairs with sorrow to the grave” (here and Genesis 42:38, Genesis 44:29; Genesis 44:31) does not, therefore, only mean “to bring a man prematurely aged to his grave,” but also “to bring an old man to the place of departed spirits in a state of lamentation for bereavement.”
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 37:35
35. His daughters — “His sons’ wives, or possibly he may have had daughters besides Dinah, which are not mentioned by name.
Sermons on Genesis 37:35
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Genesis) Genesis 42:29-38 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob and his sons in the land of Canaan. The brothers return to their father and tell him about their encounter with the man w |
|
|
(Genesis) Genesis 42 Introduction by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Joseph and his brothers during the time of famine in Egypt. Jacob, their father, sends 10 of his sons to Egypt to buy corn, but h |
|
Needed: True Friends by Theodore Epp | Theodore Epp emphasizes the significance of true friendship in times of distress, using the story of Job and his friends as a cautionary tale. While Job's friends initially showed |
|
The Birth of the Infant Lord by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the three disasters that have engulfed the human race: total, moral, and spiritual disaster. He emphasizes the importance of understanding th |
|
Internship Program Study Part 1 by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of seeing God work in the lives of believers. He explains that although perfection may not be achieved in a short period of t |
|
(Matthew) True Worshipers by Pat Kenney | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of living for Christ and not being deceived by the temporary pleasures of the world. He quotes Matthew 10, where Jesus states |
|
008 the Exceeding Value of Christ by David Servant | This sermon delves into the tragic event of King Herod's slaughter of innocent children in Bethlehem, exploring the questions of why God allowed such a horrific event to occur. It |