Meaning of Genesis 37
Genesis 37 is a chapter in the Bible where the story of Joseph begins. In this chapter, Joseph is 17 years old and tends to his father’s sheep along with his brothers. He was significantly more favored by his father, Israel (Jacob), who even made him a multi-colored robe. Joseph’s older brothers became very jealous of him.
Joseph also had two dreams that predicted his future prominence over his brothers and even his parents, which he told to his family. Interpretation of dreams plays an integral role through the rest of Joseph’s story. His family was upset by his dreams, and his brothers’ envy grew stronger.
One day, his brothers conspired against him when Jacob sent Joseph to check on them while they were grazing the flock far away. The brothers planned to kill Joseph, but Reuben, the eldest and somewhat more compassionate, suggested they throw him in a pit instead, planning to rescue him later.
However, before Reuben could come back, the rest of the brothers sold Joseph to the Midianite traders who later sold him in Egypt to Potipar, an officer of Pharaoh. The brothers then dipped Joseph’s favored robe into goat’s blood and showed it to their father who assumed that his favorite son was devoured by a wild animal.
Thus, Genesis 37 is a chapter filled with jealousy, conspiracy, and deceit but also plants the seeds of what is to come: Joseph’s rise to prominence in Egypt and reconciliation with his brothers. This chapter sets the stage for the following dramatic events in Joseph’s life and provides an entry point into his remarkable story in the book of Genesis.
Genesis 37 kjv
Genesis Chapter 37 is a part of the Old Testament in the Christian Bible or the Hebrew Bible. This chapter begins the story of Joseph, who is one of the twelve sons of Jacob (also known as Israel).
In the King James Version (KJV) here are main points of Genesis 37:
1. Verses 1-4: The chapter starts by introducing Joseph who at 17 years old, was shepherding flocks with his brothers, sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. Joseph gives their father a bad report about them. Jacob loves Joseph more than his other sons, because he was born when Jacob was old. He made Joseph a special robe with long sleeves. When his brothers saw their father loved him more, they hated Joseph and couldn’t speak a kind word to him.
2. Verses 5-11: Joseph has two dreams which he shares with his family. Both dreams suggest that his family will one day bow down to him. This angers his brothers and even concerns his father.
3. Verses 12-17: Jacob sends Joseph to find his brothers who are tending the flocks in Shechem. Arriving he finds out they have moved onto Dothan.
4. Verses 18-24: His brothers, seeing him in the distance, plan to kill him. Reuben, the oldest, suggests they throw him in a cistern instead with the intention of saving him later.
5. Verses 25-28: As the brothers sit down to eat, a caravan of Ishmaelites comes by. Judah convinces his brothers to sell Joseph to these Ishmaelites (also referred to as Midianite traders) instead of killing him. They sell Joseph for twenty shekels of silver.
6. Verse 29-30: Reuben returns to the cistern and, upon finding Joseph missing, tears his clothes in grief.
7. Verses 31-35: The brothers take Joseph’s special robe, dip it in goat’s blood, and bring it to their father, letting him believe Joseph has been killed by a wild animal. Jacob mourns deeply for his son.
8. Verses 36: The chapter concludes with the Midianites selling Joseph in Egypt to Potipar, one of Pharaoh’s officials (the captain of the guard). This begins Joseph’s journey in Egypt.
So, the chapter narrates the beginning of the hardships and trials of Joseph due to the jealousy of his brothers.
Genesis 37 nkjv
Genesis 37 is a chapter from the Old Testament of the Bible and is a part of the book of Genesis. Here’s a summary of Genesis 37 in the New King James Version (NKJV):
This chapter introduces the story of Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob. Joseph was loved more by his father than his other sons because he was born to him in his old age. Jacob made a beautiful, multicolored tunic for Joseph, which made his other brothers envious and jealous of him.
Joseph had a couple of dreams which he told to his brothers and father. In the first dream, he and his brothers were in the field tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly, his bundle rose and stood upright while his brothers’ bundles gathered around his and bowed down. In the second dream, the sun, moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to him. These dreams suggested that Joseph would have authority over his brothers, further irritating and enraging them. Even his father rebuked him for the audacity of his dreams, but kept the matter in mind.
One day, when Joseph’s brothers were away shepherding their father’s flock, Jacob sent Joseph to check up on them. When they saw him coming from a distance, they conspired against him to kill him, as they were jealous and annoyed of his dreams. They sought to throw him in a pit and lie to their father that a wild animal killed Joseph.
However, when Reuben, the eldest brother, heard this, he suggested to put Joseph into the pit without harming him, planning to rescue him later and return him to Jacob. The brothers followed this plan initially.
Before Reuben could rescue Joseph, some Midianite traders were passing by. Thinking of financial gain, Judah suggested selling Joseph to these traders instead of killing him. The Midianite traders took Joseph to Egypt, where he was sold as a slave to Potipar, who was an officer of Pharaoh.
Reuben came back to the pit to find Joseph gone. In despair, they killed a goat and used its blood to stain Joseph’s tunic. They showed this to Jacob who, recognizing it as his beloved son’s tunic, believed that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. Jacob mourned for his son deeply.
The chapter concludes with Joseph being sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and Captain of the Guard.
Genesis 37 niv
Genesis Chapter 37 of the New International Version (NIV) narrates the story of Joseph, son of Jacob (also known as Israel). This chapter begins by stating that Joseph, 17 years old at the time, was tending the flocks with his brothers. Joseph was the favorite of his father, who made him a richly ornamented robe.
Joseph’s brothers were envious and despised him because he was their father’s favorite. Their hate intensified when Joseph started sharing his dreams, which implied his family would bow down to him in the future. These dreams were seen as Joseph indicating that he would dominate over his brothers and even his parents, which further heightened the animosity his brothers felt towards him.
One day, Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers, who were tending their father’s flock. Accordingly, he traveled to Shechem and then in Dothan where he found his brothers. Already resentful towards him, they plotted to kill him. Reuben, the eldest brother, suggested throwing him into a cistern instead – with the intention of rescuing him later.
They stripped Joseph of his robe and threw him into an empty cistern. In the meantime, a caravan of Ishmaelites (also referred to as Midianites) was passing by. Judah, one of the brothers, proposed to sell Joseph to these merchants instead of leaving him to die. The idea was accepted, and they sold Joseph for twenty shekels of silver, sparing his life but deceiving their father by dipping Joseph’s robe in goat blood and making him believe that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal.
Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potipar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard. Thus initiates the story of Joseph’s life and trials in Egypt which is further elaborated in the following chapters of Genesis.
What is Genesis 37 all about?
Genesis 37 is a chapter in the Bible, which is a part of Genesis, the first book in the Old Testament. This chapter starts the story of Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob.
In Genesis 37, Joseph is shown as Jacob’s favourite son. Jacob even gives Joseph a multi-colored coat, symbolizing his preference, which stirs up jealousy among Joseph’s brothers.
Joseph has dreams that indicate his family will one day bow down to him. These dreams intensify the brother’s disdain for him. The first dream was about sheaves of grain, where all other sheaves bowed down to Joseph’s sheaf. In the second dream, the sun, moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to him.
Joseph’s brothers, fueled by their jealousy and anger, decide to sell him into slavery. They strip him of his multi-colored coat, throw him into a pit, and then sell him to a caravan of Ishmaelites heading to Egypt for twenty shekels of silver.
To cover up their egregious act, they dip Joseph’s coat in goat blood to make it look as if a wild animal has killed him. They bring the blood-stained coat to their father, Jacob, who then assumes his favourite son has been devoured by a wild animal. Jacob mourns for his son greatly.
The chapter ends with Joseph being sold to Potipar, an officer of Pharaoh in Egypt. Thus Genesis 37 sets up the beginning of Joseph’s hardships and trials in Egypt, which continue in subsequent chapters.
What does Genesis 37 teaches?
Genesis 37 opens the narrative about the patriarch Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob. Several key lessons can be learned from this chapter:
1. Favoritism Can Lead to Discord: Jacob’s favoritism towards Joseph, represented by the special coat of many colors he gave him, incites jealousy and hatred among his other sons. This highlights the harm that favoritism can cause within families or groups.
2. Dream Interpretation & Prophecy: Joseph has two dreams that foretell his future authority over his brothers and even his parents. This sets up the theme of dreams as messages from God, which recurs throughout Joseph’s story.
3. The Consequences of Hatred: The hatred of Joseph’s brothers leads them to plot his death, though they eventually sell him into slavery instead. This demonstrates the destructive power of intense negative emotions.
4. The Power of Deception: The brothers deceive their father, Jacob, by making him believe Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. This act of deception deeply grieves Jacob, showing the destructive impact lies can have on others.
5. God’s Providential Plan: Throughout all the adversity Joseph faces, a recurrent theme in his narrative is the providential care of God. Despite his brothers’ evil intentions, God uses the situation to set the stage for Joseph’s eventual rise to power in Egypt, which leads to the preservation of Jacob’s family during a severe famine.
Overall, Genesis 37 serves as an introductory narrative that teaches about family dynamics, consequences of jealousy and deception, the power of dreams, and God’s mysterious but providential plan.
A Sermon on Genesis 37
Genesis 37 is a significant passage in the Bible that tells the story of Joseph, one of the sons of Jacob (or Israel). It is the start of the main narrative concerning Joseph that extends until the end of Genesis.
1. Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors (Genesis 37:1-4):
This section introduces Joseph as the favored son of Jacob (Israel). He is given a coat of many colors, setting him apart from his brothers who grow jealous of him. This favoritism stirs up tension within the family.
2. Joseph’s Dreams (Genesis 37:5-11):
Joseph relates two dreams to his family. In these dreams, his brothers and even his parents bow before him. This further incenses his brothers, and even his father rebukes him, although he also keeps the matter in mind, contemplating its possible significance.
3. Joseph Sold into Slavery (Genesis 37:12-28):
Joseph’s brothers seize an opportunity to get rid of him. At first, they plan to kill him, but Reuben, the oldest, convinces them not to do so. Instead, they decide to sell Joseph to a caravan of Ishmaelites (also referred to as Midianites) heading to Egypt.
4. Jacob Mourns Joseph’s Loss (Genesis 37:29-36):
Joseph’s brothers deceive their father by dipping Joseph’s coat in goat’s blood and making him believe that Joseph has been killed by a wild animal. Jacob mourns deeply for his son, refusing to be comforted. Meanwhile, Joseph, sold into slavery, is taken to Egypt where he ends up in the house of Potipar, an officer of Pharaoh.
This chapter of Genesis introduces several key themes in biblical narrative, such as sibling rivalry, deception, dreams and prophecies, divine providence, and the transformation of evil into good, which are explored further in subsequent chapters. These themes can be explored in a sermon, with lessons drawn from these events that could provide moral, spiritual, and practical guidance for believers.
Key people in Genesis 37
Genesis 37 in the Bible introduces some very important figures within the context of the Old Testament narrative. These key people include:
1. Jacob (Israel) – He is the patriarch and father to 12 sons, who become the founders of the twelve tribes of Israel. He favors his son Joseph, which creates friction among his other sons.
2. Joseph – Joseph is the eleventh and most favored son of Jacob/Israel, known for his coat of many colors. He is also a dreamer and interpreter of dreams, which sets the stage for his future in the story. Joseph’s brothers become incredibly jealous after he reveals dreams that indicate he will reign over them, leading to further conflict.
3. Joseph’s Brothers – Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, and Benjamin. Each son is significant in the establishment of the twelve tribes of Israel. In Genesis 37, the brothers (minus Benjamin) play a large role due to their jealousy of Joseph. They conspire to kill Joseph, ultimately selling him into slavery and lying to their father about his alleged death.
4. Midianites/Ishmaelites – They are traders who buy Joseph as a slave and then sell him in Egypt. Their involvement creates the circumstances for Joseph’s journey and eventual rise to power in Egypt.
5. Potipar – Though not directly mentioned in Genesis 37, Potipar is key in Joseph’s story as he comes into the picture when Joseph is sold to him in Egypt. Potipar is an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. He is mentioned in the subsequent chapters of Genesis.
The intricate narratives of Genesis 37 involving these key characters set a multitude of future events into motion that would shape the history of Israel and its people.
Real world examples on Genesis 37
Genesis 37 primarily tells the story of Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. This chapter specifically describes Joseph’s dreams, his brothers’ jealousy, and eventually their betrayal. Let’s look at these elements with real-world examples:
1. Joseph’s Dreams: In Genesis 37, Joseph has two dreams which suggest his family will one day bow before him. This could be likened to a real-world scenario where one has ambitions or visions that others find unbelievable or controversial. People often dream of becoming successful in life. Just like Joseph’s dreams, these ambitions may cause controversy.
2. Jealousy and Betrayal from Brothers: The jealousy of Joseph’s brothers, which leads to betrayal can be reflected in real-world interpersonal relationships. For instance, siblings could have jealousy towards one another because of favoritism seen in their parents, leading to feuds within the family dynamics. Additionally, this can be seen in business partnerships, where one party becomes jealous due to the success of the other party, leading to ill-spoken words or deceptive actions to bring them down.
3. Joseph Sold Into Slavery: This story is comparable to human trafficking issues in today’s world, where innocent people are sold into forced labor or sex trade against their will.
4. Jacob’s Grief: Jacob’s grief over the “loss” of Joseph can be compared to parents grieving over missing or deceased children in today’s world.
In summary, in spite of Genesis 37 being a biblical story, it touches on themes like dreams, jealousy, betrayal, slavery, and grief, which are common human experiences across various cultures globally.
Brief Explanation of Genesis 37
Genesis 37 is a chapter in the Bible that revolves around Joseph, the son of Jacob. This chapter begins the story of Joseph’s life, starting with the favoritism shown by his father Jacob, who gifts him a richly ornamented coat, often referred to as a ‘coat of many colors’. This favoritism causes jealousy and resentment among his brothers. In this part of the book, Joseph also dreams two dreams that suggest his family will bow down to him, worsening his brothers’ animosity towards him.
Acting on their jealousy, Joseph’s brothers conspire against him. While Joseph is sent by Jacob to find his brothers in Shechem, they seize and sell him into slavery to a group of Midianite traders. Afterward, they deceive their father by dipping his coat in goat’s blood and presenting it to Jacob, who presumes that Joseph has been killed by a wild animal. Thus, the chapter sets the stage for the great drama of Joseph’s life and the ultimate redemption of the Israelites.
Frequently asked questions for Genesis 37
1. Who are the main characters in Genesis 37?
The main characters in Genesis 37 include Jacob/Israel, Joseph, his brothers, and an unnamed man who helps Joseph find his brothers.
2. What is the coat of many colors?
The coat of many colors is a special robe given to Joseph by his father Jacob. Some translations refer to it as a “coat with sleeves”. It’s seen as a symbol of Jacob’s favoritism.
3. What dreams did Joseph have?
Joseph had two dreams that he shared with his family. In the first dream, Joseph and his brothers were gathering bundles of grain, but the brothers’ bundles all bow to Joseph’s bundle. In the second dream, the sun, moon, and eleven stars were bowing to Joseph.
4. Why did Joseph’s brothers hate him?
Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him because he was the favored son of their father Jacob. The dreams in which Joseph ruled over his brothers further ignited their hatred and jealousy.
5. What happened to Joseph in Genesis 37?
Joseph’s brothers conspired against him out of jealousy. They initially planned to kill him, but Reuben suggested they throw him into a cistern instead, hoping to rescue him later. However, while Reuben was gone, the others sold Joseph to a caravan of Ishmaelites heading to Egypt.
6. What did Joseph’s brothers do to cover up what they had done?
To cover up their act, they dipped Joseph’s special coat in goat blood and took it back to their father, letting him assume that a wild animal had killed Joseph.
7. How does Genesis 37 set up the following chapters?
Genesis 37 establishes the familial conflict that drives the narrative for the next several chapters. Joseph’s journey to Egypt sets the stage for the Israelite’s future enslavement and the subsequent Exodus led by Moses.
8. Who bought Joseph in Egypt?
Potipar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, bought Joseph in Egypt.
Possible References for Genesis 37
Genesis 37, a chapter from The Holy Bible, is a part of the First Book of Moses, also called Genesis. This chapter mainly focuses on the story of Joseph, who was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (also named Israel).
Here are the key events described in Genesis 37:
1. Joseph’s Favoritism: In this part, Joseph, who is born to Rachel, is known as the favorite son of Jacob. Because of Jacob’s blatant favoritism, Joseph is not favored by his brothers. Joseph is gifted a special coat of many colors (also interpreted as a “richly ornamented robe”) by Jacob, which further stokes the jealousy and hatred of his brothers.
2. Joseph’s Dreams: Joseph has two prophetic dreams that imply he will one day rule over his brothers and parents. He shares these dreams with them, causing further tension and resentment.
3. Joseph is Sold by His Brothers: When Joseph goes looking for his brothers in Shechem and Dothan, they seize the opportunity to get rid of him. Initially, they plan to kill him, but Reuben (the oldest brother) suggests throwing him in a pit with the idea of returning later to rescue him. Later on, Judah proposes they sell Joseph to some passing Ishmaelites (or Midianites) who bring him to Egypt as a slave.
4. Jacob Mourns: His brothers return to their father with Joseph’s special coat, soaked in goat’s blood, leading Jacob to believe that Joseph has been mauled by a wild animal. He is inconsolable with the loss of his beloved son.
These events become essential plot points in the narrative that follows in the Book of Genesis, having significant implications on the future of Jacob’s family and the entire Israelite nation.
Remember, these interpretations may vary based upon different versions of the Bible or religious perspectives. This explanation is based on a general point of view.
Conclusion on Genesis 37
Genesis 37 is primarily the beginning of Joseph’s narrative in the Book of Genesis in the Bible. It tells the story of Joseph, the adored son of Jacob, and how his brothers grew envious of him due to his favored status and dreams that prophesied his future rule over his siblings.
The conclusion of Genesis 37 is significant and dramatic. Verses 31-36 describe how Joseph’s brothers deceive their father Jacob into believing that Joseph has been killed by a wild animal. They do this by dipping Joseph’s multicolored, gift cloak in goat’s blood and presenting it to Jacob, who recognizes it and overcomes with grief.
However, the truth is that Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers to some Midianite traders who eventually sell Joseph in Egypt to Potipar, an officer of Pharaoh. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger with Joseph in Egypt while his father mourns back home under the false impression that his beloved son is dead.
This conclusion sets the stage for the continuation of Joseph’s story, his rise to power in Egypt, and the eventual move of Jacob’s entire family to Egypt, which becomes a vital transitive point in the biblical narrative of the Israelites.