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Themes in Genesis 37

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Themes in Genesis 37

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Genesis 37:1 (show verse)

Jacob continued to live in the land they were occupying, where his father had journeyed in the territory of Canaan.

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jacob » Lives in the land of canaan

Genesis 37:2 (show verse)

This is a record of Jacob's descendants.

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Bilhah » Rachael's servant » Bears children by jacob
Concubinage » Laws concerning » Called wives
Talebearer » Instances of » Joseph
Zilpah » Mother of gad and asher by jacob

When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was helping his brothers tend their flocks. He was a young man at that time, as were the children of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. But Joseph would come back and tell his father that his brothers were doing bad things. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his brothers, since he was born to him in his old age, so he had made a richly-embroidered tunic for him.

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Children » Parents, duty to » Partiality toward
Children » Partiality of parents among » Jacob for joseph
Clothing » Coats
Dress » Clothing » Coats
Favoritism » Instances of » Jacob for joseph
Garments » Colors of, mentioned » Different colors
Gifts » Parental gifts » expression of love » A beautiful garment
Home » Parental indulgence » Partiality of parents
Home » Parental indulgence » Parental pride
Home » parental love » Parental feelings and emotions » A beautiful garment
jacob » His partiality for his son, joseph, and the consequent jealousy of his other sons
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's favorite child
Parents » Examples of fathers' love » Partiality
Parents » Parental affection exemplified by » jacob
Parents » Prayers » Pride
Parents » Partiality of » Jacob for joseph
Parents » Parental gifts » expression of love » A beautiful garment
Partiality » Parents

Genesis 37:4 (show verse)

When Joseph's brothers realized that their father loved him more than all of his brothers, they hated him so much that they were unable to speak politely to him.

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Children » Partiality of parents among » Jacob for joseph
Envy » Instances of » Joseph's brethren, of joseph
Family » Trouble instances of » Joseph and his brethren
Favoritism » Instances of » Jacob for joseph
Hatred » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren
Hatred » Examples of » Joseph's brethren
Home » Family trouble » Instances of » Joseph and his brethren
jacob » His partiality for his son, joseph, and the consequent jealousy of his other sons
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Jealousy » Examples of human » Joseph's brethren
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's favorite child
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Man » Jealousy of » Joseph's brethren
Man's » Jealousy » Joseph's brethren
Parents » Parental affection exemplified by » jacob
Partiality » Its effect on other children
Sin » Its progressiveness exemplified in joseph's brothers » 1. Jealousy
Trouble » Business family » Joseph and his brethren

Genesis 37:5 (show verse)

Right about this time, Joseph had a dream and then told it to his brothers. As a result, his brothers hated him all the more!

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Dream » Instances of » Of joseph, concerning the sheaves
Dreams » Mentioned in scripture, of » Joseph
Envy » Instances of » Joseph's brethren, of joseph
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Summary of his life » A youthful dreamer
Joseph » Son of jacob » His prophetic dreams of his fortunes in egypt

Genesis 37:6 (show verse)

"Let me tell you about this dream that I had!" he said.

Genesis 37:7 (show verse)

"We were tying sheaves together out in the middle of the fields, when all of a sudden, my sheaf stood up erect! And then your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf!"

Agriculture » Operations in » Binding
Agriculture or husbandry » Operations in » Binding
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Bowing » In obeisance
Dream » Instances of » Of joseph, concerning the sheaves
Dreams » Mentioned in scripture, of » Joseph
Envy » Instances of » Joseph's brethren, of joseph
Harvest » Persons engaged in » Binders
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Summary of his life » A youthful dreamer
Joseph » Son of jacob » His prophetic dreams of his fortunes in egypt
Obeisance » Obeisance
Reaping » Corn after, was bound up into sheaves

Genesis 37:8 (show verse)

At this, his brothers replied, "Do you really think you're going to rule us or lord it over us?" So they hated him even more because of his dreams and his interpretations of them.

Genesis 37:9 (show verse)

But then he had another dream, and he proceeded to tell his brothers about that one, too. "I had another dream," he said. "The sun, moon, and eleven of the stars were bowing down before me!"

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Dream » Instances of » Of joseph, concerning the sheaves
Dreams » Mentioned in scripture, of » Joseph
Envy » Instances of » Joseph's brethren, of joseph
jacob » Joseph's prophetic dream concerning
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Summary of his life » A youthful dreamer
Joseph » Son of jacob » His prophetic dreams of his fortunes in egypt
Moon » Joseph's dream concerning
The sun » Illustrative » Of supreme rulers

Genesis 37:10 (show verse)

When Joseph told his father about this, his father rebuked him and asked him, "What kind of dream is that? Will I, your mother, and your brothers really come to you and bow down to the ground in front of you?"

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Dream » Instances of » Of joseph, concerning the sheaves
Envy » Instances of » Joseph's brethren, of joseph
jacob » Joseph's prophetic dream concerning
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His prophetic dreams of his fortunes in egypt
Salutations » By bowing

Genesis 37:11 (show verse)

As a result, his brothers became more envious of him. But his father kept thinking about all of this.

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Envy » Forbidden » Examples of
Envy » Instances of » Joseph's brethren, of joseph
Envy » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren
Home » Family » Hard to bear causes of » Envy
jacob » Joseph's prophetic dream concerning
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Joseph » Son of jacob » His prophetic dreams of his fortunes in egypt

Genesis 37:12 (show verse)

Some time later, his brothers left to tend their father's flock in Shechem.

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Shechem » General references to
Shechem » Also called sichem and sychem, a district in the central part of the land of canaan » The flocks and herds of jacob kept in
or shechem Sychar » General references to

Genesis 37:13 (show verse)

And Israel instructed Joseph, "Your brothers are tending the flock in Shechem. Come here, because I'm going to send you to them." "Here I am!" he responded.

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Shechem » Also called sichem and sychem, a district in the central part of the land of canaan » The flocks and herds of jacob kept in

Genesis 37:14 (show verse)

"Go and see how things are with your brothers," Israel ordered him. "And see how things are with the flock. Bring back a report for me." Then he sent Joseph from the valley of Hebron.

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Care » Family » Solicitude
Children » Promises to special promises to children, examples of » Solicitude for
Family » Cares » Parental solicitude
Home » parental love » Parental feelings and emotions » Solicitude
Parents » Prayers » Solicitude
Shechem » Also called sichem and sychem, a district in the central part of the land of canaan » The flocks and herds of jacob kept in
Valleys » Mentioned in scripture » Hebron

Genesis 37:15 (show verse)

When Joseph reached Shechem, a man found him wandering around in a field. So the man asked him, "What are you looking for?"

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Genesis 37:16 (show verse)

"I'm searching for my brothers," he responded. "Tell me, where are they tending the flock?"

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Genesis 37:17 (show verse)

"They've already left," the man answered. "I heard them saying that they were headed to Dothan." So Joseph followed his brothers to Dothan and found them there.

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Dothan » A district » A district

Genesis 37:18 (show verse)

Now as soon as they saw him approaching from a distance, before he arrived they plotted together to kill him.

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Conspiracy » General examples of
Conspiracy » Instances of » Joseph's brother, against joseph
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Murder » The wicked » Devise
Plotting » General examples of
Sin » Its progressiveness exemplified in joseph's brothers » 2. Conspiracy

Genesis 37:19 (show verse)

"Look!" they said. "Here comes the Dream Master!

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Conspiracy » Instances of » Joseph's brother, against joseph
Envy » Instances of » Joseph's brethren, of joseph
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Malice » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren
Reviling and reproaching » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren

Genesis 37:20 (show verse)

Come on! Let's kill him and toss him into one of the cisterns. Then we'll report that some wild animal devoured him and wait to see what becomes of his dreams!"

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Conspiracy » Instances of » Joseph's brother, against joseph
Envy » Instances of » Joseph's brethren, of joseph
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Malice » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren
Murder » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren
Sin » Its progressiveness exemplified in joseph's brothers » 3. Murder

Genesis 37:21 (show verse)

When Reuben heard about it, he tried to save Joseph from their plot. "Let's not do any killing,"

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Brother » Reuben's love for joseph
intercession » Christ's intercession with the father for mankind » Examples of man's with his fellow-men
intercession » Instances of » Reuben for joseph
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Prayer » Intercessory Christ's intercession with the father for mankind » Examples of man's with his fellow-men
Reuben » Adroitly seeks to save joseph from the conspiracy of his brothers

Genesis 37:22 (show verse)

Reuben told them. "And no blood shedding, either. Instead, let's toss him into this cistern that's way out here in the wilderness. But don't lay a hand on him." (Reuben intended to free Joseph and return him to his father.)

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Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Brother » Reuben's love for joseph
intercession » Instances of » Reuben for joseph
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Murder » Saints » Should warn others against
Reuben » Adroitly seeks to save joseph from the conspiracy of his brothers

Genesis 37:23 (show verse)

As it was, when Joseph arrived where his brothers were, they stripped off the tunic that Jacob had given him that is, the richly-embroidered tunic that he was wearing.

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Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Reuben » Adroitly seeks to save joseph from the conspiracy of his brothers

Genesis 37:24 (show verse)

They grabbed him and tossed him into the cistern, but the cistern was empty. (There was no water in it.)

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Cruelty » Examples of
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Reuben » Adroitly seeks to save joseph from the conspiracy of his brothers

Genesis 37:25 (show verse)

After this, while they were seated, eating their food, they looked around and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead with camels carrying spices, balm, and myrrh for sale down in Egypt.

Balm » A medicinal balsam
Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Business life » Miscellaneous topics relating to » Merchants
Camel » Uses of » For carrying burdens
Camels » Used for » Carrying burdens
Commerce » Carried on by means of caravans
Commerce » Carried on by » Ishmaelites
Commerce » Articles of » Balm
Egypt » Exports of
Egypt » Imports of
Exports » From gilead » Of spices
Gilead » Exported spices » Balm » myrrh
Imports » Of egypt » Spices
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
The ishmaelites » Were the merchants of the east
The ishmaelites » Travelled in large companies or caravans
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Midianites » Called ishmaelites
myrrh » Traffic in
Reuben » Adroitly seeks to save joseph from the conspiracy of his brothers
Spices » Exported from gilead
Travelers » Often collected together and formed caravans

Genesis 37:26 (show verse)

Then Judah suggested to his brothers, "Where's the profit in just killing our brother and shedding his blood?

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
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intercession » Christ's intercession with the father for mankind » Examples of man's with his fellow-men
intercession » Instances of » Judah for joseph
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Judah » Son of jacob
Judah » Son of jacob » Intercedes for joseph's life when his brothers were about to kill him, and proposes that they sell him to the ishmaelites
Prayer » Intercessory Christ's intercession with the father for mankind » Examples of man's with his fellow-men
Reuben » Adroitly seeks to save joseph from the conspiracy of his brothers
Servant » Instances of » Joseph
Worldliness » Instances of » Judah

Genesis 37:27 (show verse)

Come on! Let's sell him to the Ishmaelites! That way, we won't have laid our hands on him. After all, he's our brother, our own flesh."

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
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Commerce » Carried on by means of caravans
Commerce » Ishmaelites
intercession » Instances of » Judah for joseph
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Joseph » Son of jacob » Sold as a slave into egypt
Judah » Son of jacob » Intercedes for joseph's life when his brothers were about to kill him, and proposes that they sell him to the ishmaelites
Reuben » Adroitly seeks to save joseph from the conspiracy of his brothers
Servant » Instances of » Joseph
Worldliness » Instances of » Judah

Genesis 37:28 (show verse)

So Judah's brothers listened to him. As the Midianite merchants were passing through, they extracted Joseph from the cistern and sold Joseph for 20 pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who then took Joseph down to Egypt.

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Commerce » Persons engaged in, called » Merchants
Commerce » Articles of » Slaves
Commerce » Ishmaelites
Egypt » History of israel in » Joseph sold into
Ishmaelites » Called midianites
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
jacob » Summary of his character » Disciplined by affliction
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Joseph » Son of jacob » Sold as a slave into egypt
Men » Traffic in
Midianites » Engaged in commerce
Midianites » Called ishmaelites
Midianites » Buy joseph and sell him to potiphar
Midianites » Were merchantmen
Money » Was given » For slaves
Reuben » Adroitly seeks to save joseph from the conspiracy of his brothers
Servant » Bond » Bought and sold
Servant » Instances of » Joseph
Silver » Used as money from the earliest age

Genesis 37:29 (show verse)

Later, when Reuben returned to the cistern, Joseph wasn't there! In mounting panic, he tore his clothes,

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Deception » Instances of » In representing to their father that joseph had been destroyed by wild beasts
Falsehood » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, in deceiving their father into a belief that joseph was killed by wild beasts
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » Is falsely reported to his father as killed by wild beasts
Reuben » Adroitly seeks to save joseph from the conspiracy of his brothers

Genesis 37:30 (show verse)

returned to his brothers, and shouted, "He's not there! Now what? Where am I to go?"

Genesis 37:31 (show verse)

So they took Joseph's coat, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the coat in the blood.

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Deceit » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren
Deception » Instances of » In representing to their father that joseph had been destroyed by wild beasts
Falsehood » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, in deceiving their father into a belief that joseph was killed by wild beasts
Goat » The young of » Called kids
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » Is falsely reported to his father as killed by wild beasts
Lying » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren

Genesis 37:32 (show verse)

Then they stretched out the richly-embroidered tunic to dry, and brought it to their father. "We've found this," they reported. "Look at it and see if this is or isn't your son's tunic."

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Deceit » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren
Deception » Instances of » In representing to their father that joseph had been destroyed by wild beasts
Falsehood » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, in deceiving their father into a belief that joseph was killed by wild beasts
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » Is falsely reported to his father as killed by wild beasts
Lying » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren

Genesis 37:33 (show verse)

Examining it, he cried out, "It's my son's tunic! A wild animal has no doubt torn Joseph to pieces."

Genesis 37:34 (show verse)

So Jacob tore his clothes, dressed himself in sackcloth, and then mourned many days for his son.

Bereavement » Instances of » Jacob, of joseph
Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
The Dead » Mourning for, often » Lasted many days
The Dead » Mourning for, often » Testified by rending the garments
Deception » Instances of » In representing to their father that joseph had been destroyed by wild beasts
Falsehood » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, in deceiving their father into a belief that joseph was killed by wild beasts
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
jacob » His grief over the loss of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » Is falsely reported to his father as killed by wild beasts
Sackcloth » Was worn » Girt about the loins
Sackcloth » Worn » By jacob
Sorrow » From bereavement » Of jacob for joseph

Genesis 37:35 (show verse)

All his sons and daughters showed up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. He kept saying, "Leave me alone! I'll go down to the next world, still mourning for my son." So Joseph's father wept for him.

Bereavement » Instances of » Jacob, of joseph
Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Children » Grief occasioned by loss of
The Dead » Mourning for » Examples of grief
Deception » Instances of » In representing to their father that joseph had been destroyed by wild beasts
Falsehood » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, in deceiving their father into a belief that joseph was killed by wild beasts
Family » Examples of fathers' love » jacob
Fathers » Examples of fathers' love » jacob
Home » Examples of fathers' love » jacob
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
jacob » His grief over the loss of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's favorite child
Joseph » Son of jacob » Is falsely reported to his father as killed by wild beasts
Love » Examples of fathers' love » jacob
Love » Paternal » jacob
Love » Fathers » jacob
Mourning » Examples of grief
Parents » Examples of fathers' love » jacob
Paternal love » Examples of fathers' love » jacob
Sorrow » From bereavement » Of jacob for joseph
Weeping » Instances of » Of jacob

Genesis 37:36 (show verse)

Meanwhile, down in Egypt, the Midianites sold Joseph to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's court officials, who was also Commander-in-Chief of the imperial guards.

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Captain » Of the guard
Commerce » Articles of » Slaves
Egypt » Exports of
Egypt » Imports of
Egyptians » Slaves bought by
Ishmaelites » Called midianites
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » Is bought by potiphar, an officer (lxx has "eunuch") of pharaoh
Midianites » Engaged in commerce
Midianites » Buy joseph and sell him to potiphar
Potiphar » Joseph's master
Servant » Bond » Bought and sold
Servant » Instances of » Joseph
Servants » Slaves or bond » By purchase