Genesis 37

Genesis 37:1

ANd Jacob] This is a continuation of the narration broken off from Genesis 36:7.

Genesis 37:2

The generations] Described Genesis 35:23. now this eemeth to be added to take on the course of Jacobs history, after the interweaving of Esaus Was feeding]By reason of his youth, and through the envie of his brethren, he was held in the degree of a servant, and in the company of the hand-maidens sons, Jacobs concubines, whom it is likely the other brethren disdained. 〈…〉l] Of some facts or wickednesses not set dw in this place.

Genesis 37:7

Were bndng] These two dremes signified the self same thing, namely Joseph exal〈…〉ion above his brethren, and their submission to him in their necessitie, and the honour Jone to him by his father, in sending his children to him, before they knw him.

Genesis 37:10

Rebuked him] Being not yet perswaded that they were divine dreams; or to trie whether there were no childish vanitie in this his saying, or to abate his brethrens anger Thy mother] Rachel Josephs mother was already dead: Genesis 35:19. but here is understood Leah his mother in Law, who was Jacobs then only lawfull wife.

Genesis 37:25

A company] A great company of merchants, and travailers, which were wont to travaile that way in great companies, fearing the dangers of the countrie: see Job 6:19 Balm] or rozen Myrrhe] namely liquide myrrhe, or Ladano.

Genesis 37:28

Midianites] It is likely that this people was mixed of Ismaelites, Midianites, and Medanites: see Gen. 16. 15. and 25. 2.

Genesis 37:29

Reuben] Who was not present at Josephs sale, and belived that his brothers had indeed killed him: Genesis 42:22 He rent] a custome amongst the men of old times in some unexpected evill news, or in some cruell case.

Genesis 37:34

Sack-cloth] Or haire-cloth, or a rough-cloth, a habit of mourning.

Genesis 37:35

Daughters] Jacob had never a daughter but Dina, so that we musthere understand to be meant his wifes, and his sons daughters The grave] The Hebrew phrase signifieth grave, and hell, for by Gods Law, the reward of sin is both corporall, and eternall death: but through grace they are several for the faithfull. Therefore we ought to distinguish of this name, which is common to both deaths, according to the diversitie of the subject to which it is attributed: and in the meane time the name of grave remaineth amongst the Hebrews, marked with it’s naturall horror, which is to be the entrance into hel, but only that God through his grace delivereth man from thence.

Genesis 37:36

An Officer] The Italian hath it, An Eunuch] This name signifieth a man that is gelded, but because such kind of people were much employed about Princes Courts, the name hath been put upon all manner of Officers, though not gelded, as it should seem this man was not, seeing he had a wife Of the guard] the Italian, Of the guards] the Hebrew word signifieth executioners: for in the old time Princes guards were wont to do many capitall executions: see Jeremiah 39:9. Daniel 2:14. Mark 6:27.