Genesis 37:13
New International Version
and Israel said to Joseph, “As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them.” “Very well,” he replied.

New Living Translation
When they had been gone for some time, Jacob said to Joseph, “Your brothers are pasturing the sheep at Shechem. Get ready, and I will send you to them.” “I’m ready to go,” Joseph replied.

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.

New King James Version
And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” So he said to him, “Here I am.”

New American Standard Bible
And Israel said to Joseph, “Are your brothers not pasturing the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “I will go.”

NASB 1995
Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “I will go.”

NASB 1977
And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “I will go.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “I will go.”

Amplified Bible
Israel (Jacob) said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing [the flock] at Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” And he said, “Here I am [ready to obey you].”

Christian Standard Bible
Israel said to Joseph, “Your brothers, you know, are pasturing the flocks at Shechem. Get ready. I’m sending you to them.” “I’m ready,” Joseph replied.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Israel said to Joseph, “Your brothers, you know, are pasturing the flocks at Shechem. Get ready. I’m sending you to them."” I’m ready,” Joseph replied.

American Standard Version
And Israel said unto Joseph, Are not thy brethren feeding the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.

Contemporary English Version
his father Jacob said to him, "I want you to go to your brothers. They are with the sheep near Shechem." "Yes, sir," Joseph answered.

English Revised Version
And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Israel then said to Joseph, "Your brothers are taking care of the flocks at Shechem. I'm going to send you to them." Joseph responded, "I'll go."

Good News Translation
Jacob said to Joseph, "I want you to go to Shechem, where your brothers are taking care of the flock." Joseph answered, "I am ready."

International Standard Version
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.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Israel said to Joseph, "Your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I will send you to them." "I'm ready," Joseph replied.

New Heart English Bible
And Israel said to Joseph, "Aren?t your brothers pasturing the flock near Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them." And he said to him, "I am ready."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Israel said to Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send thee to them. And he said to him, Here am I.

World English Bible
Israel said to Joseph, “Aren’t your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” He said to him, “Here I am.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Israel says to Joseph, “Are your brothers not feeding in Shechem? Come, and I send you to them”; and he says to him, “Here I [am]”;

Young's Literal Translation
and Israel saith unto Joseph, 'Are not thy brethren feeding in Shechem? come, and I send thee unto them;' and he saith to him, 'Here am I;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Israel will say to Joseph, Are not thy brethren feeding in Shechem? Come, and I will send thee to them. And he will say, Behold me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Israel said to him : Thy brethren feed the sheep in Sichem: come, I will send thee to them. And when he answered:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Israel said to him: “Your brothers are pasturing the sheep at Shechem. Come, I will send you to them.” And when he answered,

New American Bible
Israel said to Joseph, “Are your brothers not tending our flocks at Shechem? Come and I will send you to them.” “I am ready,” Joseph answered.

New Revised Standard Version
And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” He answered, “Here I am.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Israel said to Joseph, Behold, your brothers are feeding the flocks in Shechem; come, I will send you to them. And he said to him, Here am I.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Israel said to Yoseph, “Behold, your brothers are shepherding in Shekim; come, I shall send you to them”, and he said to him, “Here I am.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Israel said unto Joseph: 'Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them.' And he said to him: 'Here am I.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Israel said to Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed their flock in Sychem? Come, I will send thee to them; and he said to him, Behold, I am here.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joseph Sold by His Brothers
12Some time later, Joseph’s brothers had gone to pasture their father’s flocks near Shechem. 13Israel 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. 14Then 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,…

Cross References
Matthew 21:28-31
But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ / ‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went. / Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go. ...

Luke 15:11-32
Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. / The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. / After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. ...

John 4:34
Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.

John 5:30
I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

John 6:38
For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.

John 7:18
He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is a man of truth; in Him there is no falsehood.

John 8:29
He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.”

John 10:17-18
The reason the Father loves Me is that I lay down My life in order to take it up again. / No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.”

John 17:4
I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.

Philippians 2:8
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.

Hebrews 5:8
Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered.

1 Peter 2:23
When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

1 John 3:16
By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Genesis 22:2
“Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

Genesis 28:5
So Isaac sent Jacob to Paddan-aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, who was the mother of Jacob and Esau.


Treasury of Scripture

And Israel said to Joseph, Do not your brothers feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send you to them. And he said to him, Here am I.

come.

1 Samuel 17:17-20
And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; …

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Luke 20:13
Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.

Here am I.

Genesis 22:1
And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

Genesis 27:1,18
And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I…

1 Samuel 3:4-6,8,16
That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I…

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Feed Feeding Flock Flocks Grazing Israel Joseph Pasturing Shechem
Genesis 37
1. Joseph is loved by Jacob, but hated by his brothers.
5. His dreams and the interpretation.
12. Jacob sends him to his brothers, who counsel to slay him.
21. At Reuben's desire they cast him into a pit;
25. and afterwards sell him to the Ishmaelites;
29. while Ruben grieves at not finding him.
31. His coat, covered with blood, is sent to Jacob, who mourns him inordinately.
36. Joseph is brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar.














Israel said to him
The name "Israel" here refers to Jacob, who was renamed Israel after wrestling with God (Genesis 32:28). This name signifies his role as the patriarch of the Israelite nation. The use of "Israel" instead of "Jacob" highlights the covenantal and national significance of the narrative. It reminds us of God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the unfolding of His divine plan through their lineage.

Are not your brothers grazing the flocks at Shechem?
The mention of "Shechem" is significant in the biblical narrative. Shechem was a city of great historical and spiritual importance, first mentioned in Genesis 12:6-7 when God promised the land to Abram's descendants. It was also the site of Jacob's earlier troubles (Genesis 34). The reference to Shechem here evokes a sense of continuity and the unfolding of God's promises despite human failings. The act of "grazing the flocks" symbolizes the pastoral lifestyle of the patriarchs and their dependence on God's provision.

Get ready; I am sending you to them
This phrase indicates a mission or task being given to Joseph by his father. The Hebrew root for "sending" (שָׁלַח, shalach) often implies a commissioning or dispatching with authority. It foreshadows Joseph's future role as a leader and savior of his family, as he is sent ahead to prepare the way, much like he will later be sent to Egypt to preserve life during the famine.

I am ready
Joseph's response, "I am ready," reflects his obedience and willingness to serve his father. This readiness is a hallmark of Joseph's character throughout his life, demonstrating his faithfulness and trust in God's plan. His willingness to go, despite the potential danger and the strained relationship with his brothers, highlights his integrity and foreshadows his future role as a leader who acts according to God's will.

Joseph replied
The mention of "Joseph" here is crucial, as it sets the stage for the unfolding of his story, which is central to the latter part of Genesis. Joseph's life is a testament to God's providence and sovereignty, as he navigates betrayal, slavery, and eventual rise to power in Egypt. His journey begins with this simple act of obedience, reminding us that God often uses humble beginnings to accomplish His grand purposes.

Verse 13. - And Israel (vide Genesis 32:28; Genesis 35:10) said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock (literally, Are not thy brethren shepherding?) in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. Either he was solicitous of the safety of his sons while in the vicinity of Shechem (Lawson), or he hoped to effect a reconciliation between them and Joseph (Candlish). And he (i.e. Joseph, in response to this invitation, expressed a willingness to undertake a mission to his brethren, and) said to him, Here am I.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

[him],
יוֹסֵ֗ף (yō·w·sêp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites

“Are not
הֲל֤וֹא (hă·lō·w)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

your brothers
אַחֶ֙יךָ֙ (’a·ḥe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

pasturing
רֹעִ֣ים (rō·‘îm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with

the flocks at Shechem?
בִּשְׁכֶ֔ם (biš·ḵem)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7927: Shechem -- 'ridge', a district in Northern Palestine, also a son of Hamor

Get ready;
לְכָ֖ה (lə·ḵāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

I am sending
וְאֶשְׁלָחֲךָ֣ (wə·’eš·lā·ḥă·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

you to them.”
אֲלֵיהֶ֑ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“I am ready,”
הִנֵּֽנִי׃ (hin·nê·nî)
Interjection | first person common singular
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

Joseph replied.
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say


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OT Law: Genesis 37:13 Israel said to Joseph Aren't your brothers (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 37:12
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