◄ Genesis 37 ►
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Summary Joseph Sold into Egypt Despite the grim circumstances, this chapter underlines the unpredictability of life and highlights that even in the midst of despair and betrayal, the seeds of a larger plan may be sown. It beckons us to trust the journey, even when we cannot see the destination. The Dreamer (Verses 1-11) Joseph, beloved more by his father Jacob due to his birth in Jacob's old age, is resented by his brothers. This resentment deepens when Joseph shares two prophetic dreams wherein he is symbolically portrayed as being worshipped by his family. Brotherly Betrayal (Verses 12-24) Joseph's brothers, who were tending the flock in Shechem, plot against him when he arrives to check on them. Intending to murder him, they instead yield to Reuben's suggestion to throw Joseph into a pit, hoping to later rescue him. Sold Into Slavery (Verses 25-28) Seeing a caravan of Ishmaelites, Judah proposes to sell Joseph instead of killing him. The brothers agree and sell Joseph for twenty shekels of silver. Deception and Despair (Verses 29-36) Discovering Joseph's absence, a distraught Reuben finds his brothers deceiving their father with Joseph's blood-soaked robe. Believing Joseph to be dead, Jacob mourns deeply. Unbeknownst to him, Joseph is sold to Potiphar in Egypt by the Midianites. This chapter unfolds the pivotal narrative of Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, whose brothers' jealousy leads to his being sold into slavery in Egypt. The story delves into themes of family dynamics, favoritism, dreams, betrayal, and the initiation of a journey of resilience. Teaching Points Joseph's Favoritism Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because he had been born to him in his old age, and he made him a robe of many colors (Genesis 37:3). Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph sets the stage for familial discord. Joseph's Dreams Joseph's dreams, which he shares with his brothers, foreshadow his future rise to power. Listen to this dream I had, he said. We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine (Genesis 37:6-7). Brothers' Jealousy and Betrayal The brothers' jealousy leads them to conspire against Joseph. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns (Genesis 37:20). Instead, they sell him into slavery. Reuben's Attempt to Save Joseph Reuben, the eldest, tries to rescue Joseph, showing a glimmer of conscience amidst the brothers' treachery. Do not shed his blood, Reuben said. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him (Genesis 37:22). The Deception of Jacob The brothers deceive their father, Jacob, into believing Joseph is dead. We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son's robe (Genesis 37:32). Practical Applications Guard Against Favoritism Favoritism can breed resentment and division. Strive for fairness and love in all relationships. Trust in God's Plan Even when circumstances seem dire, trust that God is working behind the scenes for a greater purpose. Respond to Jealousy with Grace When faced with jealousy, choose to respond with grace and forgiveness rather than retaliation. Seek Reconciliation Like Reuben, be a voice of reason and seek to mend broken relationships. People 1. Jacob (Israel) Jacob, also known as Israel, is the father of Joseph and his brothers. He is a patriarch of the Israelite people. In Genesis 37:1, it states, "Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had resided, the land of Canaan." 2. Joseph Joseph is the central figure in this chapter. He is one of Jacob's sons and is favored by his father, which causes tension with his brothers. Genesis 37:3 says, "Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because he had been born to him in his old age, and he made him a robe of many colors." 3. Joseph's Brothers The brothers of Joseph are the sons of Jacob. They are envious of Joseph because of their father's favoritism and Joseph's dreams. Genesis 37:4 mentions, "When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him." 4. Reuben Reuben is the eldest son of Jacob. He attempts to save Joseph from being killed by his brothers. In Genesis 37:21-22, it states, "When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue Joseph from their hands. 'Let us not take his life,' he said. 'Do not shed his blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him.' Reuben said this so that he could rescue Joseph from their hands and return him to his father." 5. Judah Judah is another of Joseph's brothers who suggests selling Joseph instead of killing him. Genesis 37:26-27 records, "Then Judah said to his brothers, 'What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.' And his brothers agreed." 6. Ishmaelites The Ishmaelites are traders to whom Joseph's brothers sell him. Genesis 37:28 states, "So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt." 7. Midianites The Midianites are mentioned as merchants who are involved in the transaction of selling Joseph. The terms "Ishmaelites" and "Midianites" are used interchangeably in this context. Genesis 37:28 refers to them as "Midianite merchants." 8. Potiphar Although not directly mentioned in Genesis 37, Potiphar is introduced in the subsequent chapter as the Egyptian official who buys Joseph from the Ishmaelites. His role is implied as the destination of Joseph's journey to Egypt. Places 1. Canaan Genesis 37:1: "Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had resided, the land of Canaan." Canaan is the region where Jacob and his family resided. It is a significant location in the biblical narrative, often associated with the Promised Land. The Hebrew root for Canaan is "כְּנַעַן" (Kena'an), which refers to this ancient region. 2. Dothan Genesis 37:17: "The man replied, 'They have moved on from here, for I heard them say, "Let us go to Dothan."' So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan." Dothan is the place where Joseph found his brothers before they plotted against him. The name Dothan comes from the Hebrew "דֹּתָן" (Dothan), meaning "two wells," indicating a location with water sources. 3. Egypt Genesis 37:28: "So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt." Egypt is where Joseph was taken after being sold by his brothers. It plays a crucial role in Joseph's story and the broader narrative of the Israelites. The Hebrew name for Egypt is "מִצְרַיִם" (Mitzrayim), which is often used in the Old Testament to refer to this ancient and powerful civilization. Events 1. Joseph's Favoritism Jacob, also known as Israel, shows favoritism towards Joseph, his son from Rachel, by giving him a "robe of many colors" (Genesis 37:3). The Hebrew term for the robe, "כְּתֹנֶת פַּסִּים" (ketonet passim), suggests a richly ornamented garment, symbolizing Joseph's special status. 2. Joseph's Dreams Joseph shares two dreams with his brothers, which imply his future dominance over them. In the first dream, their sheaves of grain bow to his sheaf (Genesis 37:7). In the second dream, the sun, moon, and eleven stars bow to him (Genesis 37:9). The dreams increase his brothers' jealousy and hatred. 3. Brothers' Jealousy and Plot Joseph's brothers become envious and conspire against him. They initially plan to kill him but decide instead to throw him into a cistern (Genesis 37:18-20). The Hebrew word for cistern, "בּוֹר" (bor), indicates a pit or well, often used for water storage. 4. Reuben's Intervention Reuben, the eldest brother, persuades them not to kill Joseph, intending to rescue him later. He suggests they throw Joseph into the cistern without shedding blood (Genesis 37:21-22). 5. Joseph Sold into Slavery While Reuben is absent, the brothers sell Joseph to a caravan of Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver (Genesis 37:28). The Hebrew term "יִשְׁמְעֵאלִים" (Yishmaelim) refers to descendants of Ishmael, indicating a group of traders. 6. Deception of Jacob The brothers deceive their father by dipping Joseph's robe in goat's blood and presenting it to Jacob, leading him to believe Joseph has been devoured by a wild animal (Genesis 37:31-33). 7. Jacob's Mourning Jacob mourns deeply for Joseph, refusing to be comforted, and declares he will go to his grave mourning for his son (Genesis 37:34-35). The Hebrew word "שְׁאוֹל" (Sheol) is used, referring to the grave or the abode of the dead. 8. Joseph in Egypt Meanwhile, Joseph is taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard (Genesis 37:36). This sets the stage for Joseph's future rise to power in Egypt. Connections to Additional Scriptures Romans 8:28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. This verse reminds us of God's sovereignty in Joseph's life. Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Joseph's story foreshadows the call to love and forgive those who wrong us. Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger... Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you. This passage encourages us to let go of bitterness and embrace forgiveness. Prayer Points Pray for the wisdom to avoid favoritism and to treat others with fairness and love. Ask God for the strength to trust His plan, even when life seems uncertain or unfair. Seek God's help in responding to jealousy and betrayal with grace and forgiveness. Pray for opportunities to be a peacemaker and to reconcile broken relationships in your life. Bible Study Questions 1. How does favoritism impact family dynamics, as seen in this chapter? 2. How can dreams be interpreted in the context of this story, and how might we interpret dreams in our own lives? 3. If you were Joseph, would you have shared your dreams? Why or why not? 4. How do you understand the brothers' reaction to Joseph's dreams? How do you handle jealousy in your life? 5. If you were in Reuben's position, how would you handle the situation differently? 6. What motivations led to Judah suggesting the sale of Joseph? How do we justify actions that might not be morally right? 7. Consider the brothers' decision to deceive their father. Have there been times when you have deceived someone to cover a mistake? How did that affect you and the person involved? 8. How did Jacob's reaction to Joseph's supposed death influence the family's dynamics? 9. How does this chapter show the possible consequences of jealousy and resentment? 10. If you were Joseph, how would you react to the situation in Egypt? 11. How might Joseph's journey to Egypt fit into God's larger plan? 12. Can good ever emerge from betrayal? Can you provide any examples from your own life? 13. How does this chapter address the theme of resilience in the face of adversity? 14. What lessons can we learn from Jacob's grief? 15. How can one maintain faith in times of despair, as experienced by Joseph and Jacob? 16. What lessons about conflict resolution can we learn from this narrative? 17. How does this chapter highlight the theme of divine providence? 18. Compare and contrast Joseph's brothers' treatment of him with the ideal of brotherly love. How can this inform our relationships with our own siblings? 19. What could Joseph's story teach us about perseverance in the face of hardship? 20. How does this story speak to issues of forgiveness and reconciliation that will come later in Joseph's life? Topics 1. Joseph's Dreams Joseph, the son of Jacob, shares his dreams with his brothers, which foreshadow his future rise to prominence. The dreams involve sheaves of grain and celestial bodies bowing to him, symbolizing his future authority. The Hebrew word for "dream" (חֲלוֹם, ^chalom^) indicates a vision or revelation from God. 2. Jacob's Favoritism Jacob shows favoritism towards Joseph by giving him a richly ornamented robe, often referred to as a "coat of many colors." This act of favoritism causes jealousy and hatred among Joseph's brothers. The Hebrew term for the robe (כְּתֹנֶת פַּסִּים, ^ketonet passim^) suggests a long-sleeved or multi-colored garment, signifying special status. 3. The Brothers' Jealousy Joseph's brothers become increasingly envious and hostile towards him due to his dreams and their father's favoritism. This animosity sets the stage for their subsequent actions against him. 4. The Plot Against Joseph The brothers conspire to kill Joseph but ultimately decide to throw him into a cistern. Reuben, the eldest, intends to rescue him later. The Hebrew word for "plot" (נָכַל, ^nakal^) implies deceit and treachery. 5. Joseph Sold into Slavery Instead of killing Joseph, the brothers sell him to a caravan of Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. This transaction leads to Joseph's eventual journey to Egypt. The Hebrew term for "sell" (מָכַר, ^makar^) indicates a transfer of ownership, highlighting the brothers' betrayal. 6. Deception of Jacob The brothers deceive their father, Jacob, by dipping Joseph's robe in goat's blood and presenting it to him, leading Jacob to believe that Joseph has been killed by a wild animal. The act of deception (רָמָה, ^ramah^) underscores the brothers' moral decline. 7. Jacob's Mourning Jacob mourns deeply for Joseph, refusing to be comforted. His grief is profound, as indicated by the Hebrew word for "mourn" (אָבַל, ^aval^), which conveys intense sorrow and lamentation. 8. Joseph in Egypt The chapter concludes with Joseph being sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh in Egypt. This marks the beginning of Joseph's journey in a foreign land, setting the stage for God's providential plan. The Hebrew name "Potiphar" (פּוֹטִיפַר, ^Potiphar^) suggests a connection to Egyptian culture and authority. Themes 1. Favoritism and Family Dynamics Genesis 37 highlights the theme of favoritism within a family, as Jacob shows preferential treatment to Joseph, his son. This favoritism is evident in Genesis 37:3, "Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because he had been born to him in his old age, and he made him a robe of many colors." The Hebrew word for "loved" (אָהַב, 'ahav) indicates a deep affection, which creates tension and jealousy among Joseph's brothers. 2. Jealousy and Envy The narrative illustrates the destructive power of jealousy and envy. Joseph's brothers become envious of him due to their father's favoritism and Joseph's dreams. Genesis 37:11 states, "And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind." The Hebrew word for "jealous" (קָנָא, qanah) conveys a sense of intense rivalry and resentment. 3. Dreams and Divine Revelation Joseph's dreams are a central theme, representing divine revelation and future prophecy. In Genesis 37:5-7, Joseph shares his dreams with his brothers, which foreshadow his future rise to power. The dreams are symbolic and serve as a means through which God communicates His plans, despite the immediate negative reaction from Joseph's family. 4. Betrayal and Deception The theme of betrayal is evident when Joseph's brothers conspire against him. In Genesis 37:18-20, they plot to kill him but ultimately sell him into slavery. The act of deception is further highlighted when they deceive their father by presenting Joseph's robe dipped in goat's blood, as seen in Genesis 37:31-33. The Hebrew root for "deceive" (רָמָה, ramah) underscores the treachery involved. 5. Suffering and Providence Joseph's suffering, as a result of his brothers' actions, introduces the theme of divine providence. Although Joseph endures hardship, the narrative sets the stage for God's greater plan. This theme is implicit in the unfolding story, where Joseph's trials are part of a divine purpose that will later be revealed. 6. Sibling Rivalry and Conflict The chapter underscores the theme of sibling rivalry, as Joseph's brothers harbor animosity towards him. This conflict is rooted in their perception of Joseph as a threat to their status and is exacerbated by his dreams and their father's favoritism. The Hebrew word for "hate" (שָׂנֵא, sane) in Genesis 37:4, "And they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him," reflects the deep-seated hostility among the siblings. Bible Hub Chapter Summaries and Bible Study Questions