Genesis 37:4
Parallel Verses
New International Version
When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.


English Standard Version
But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.


New American Standard Bible
His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms.


King James Bible
And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.


Holman Christian Standard Bible
When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not bring themselves to speak peaceably to him.


International Standard Version
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.


American Standard Version
And his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren; and they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.


Douay-Rheims Bible
And his brethren seeing that he was loved by his father, more than all his sons, hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.


Darby Bible Translation
And his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, and they hated him, and could not greet him with friendliness.


Young's Literal Translation
and his brethren see that their father hath loved him more than any of his brethren, and they hate him, and have not been able to speak to him peaceably.


Commentaries
37:1-4 In Joseph's history we see something of Christ, who was first humbled and then exalted. It also shows the lot of Christians, who must through many tribulations enter into the kingdom. It is a history that has none like it, for displaying the various workings of the human mind, both good and bad, and the singular providence of God in making use of them for fulfilling his purposes. Though Joseph was his father's darling, yet he was not bred up in idleness. Those do not truly love their children, who do not use them to business, and labour, and hardships. The fondling of children is with good reason called the spoiling of them. Those who are trained up to do nothing, are likely to be good for nothing. But Jacob made known his love, by dressing Joseph finer than the rest of his children. It is wrong for parents to make a difference between one child and another, unless there is great cause for it, by the children's dutifulness, or undutifulness. When parents make a difference, children soon notice it, and it leads to quarrels in families. Jacob's sons did that, when they were from under his eye, which they durst not have done at home with him; but Joseph gave his father an account of their ill conduct, that he might restrain them. Not as a tale-bearer, to sow discord, but as a faithful brother.

4. could not speak peaceably unto him—did not say "peace be to thee" [Ge 43:23, &c.], the usual expression of good wishes among friends and acquaintances. It is deemed a sacred duty to give all this form of salutation; and the withholding of it is an unmistakable sign of dislike or secret hostility. The habitual refusal of Joseph's brethren, therefore, to meet him with "the salaam," showed how ill-disposed they were towards him. It is very natural in parents to love the youngest, and feel partial to those who excel in talents or amiableness. But in a family constituted as Jacob's—many children by different mothers—he showed great and criminal indiscretion.
Genesis 37:3
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