GENESIS 37

Read 1-4

Verse 2a Notice that this is not the story of Joseph. Read different translations. The word toledoth is

better known as its Greek equivalent, geneseos, from which derives the title of the book. Toledoth is 

variously translated as genealogy, descendants, generation, story, origin, source, line, history, or 

account. These are appropriate definitions since each time this root word is used in the Book of 

Genesis it marks the start of a new narrative or genealogy passage. After Genesis 1-2, which functions 

as a sort of prologue, these two types of literature alternate throughout the remainder of the book.

Verse 3 Remember that Jacob himself was the favorite son of his mother. There is always a problem 

when there is a favorite child in the family. Is this really love (i.e. what is for the best of the person), or 

only what is best for us. Jacob earlier exhibited his favoritism toward Joseph by the way he ranked his 

family when they all faced Esau and his men. Rachel and Joseph were at the rear, most protected. 

(Genesis 33:1-11) The chosen must give no cause to find fault since there will naturally be jealousy 

(teacher's pet).

Coat of many colors (robe with long sleeves (NRSV)?? The Hebrew word is used only once more in 

the OT, for the garment of David's daughter Princess Tamar—indicates royal position of honor (a hint 

of Joseph's future status).

Verse 4 First fruit of father's lack of wisdom. Stephen's speech in Acts 7:9 gives their motive for hating 

Joseph--jealousy. Interesting that they hated Joseph rather than Jacob—human nature?

Read 5-11 Joseph has a vision of his future, which comes true, but not by any action on Joseph's part. 

Almost totally beyond his control. Conflict throughout the bad years between reality and his original 

dream.

Purpose of God's revelation in dream may have been to provoke conflict between brothers?

Verse 6 He is so self-absorbed that he assumes everyone will want to hear his dream.

Verse 9 Many events in the story occur in two's. See Genesis 41:32 for interpretation of this 

phenomenon. (“And the doubling of Pharaoh's dream means the thing is fixed by God, and God will 

shortly bring it about.”) Second dream borders on blasphemy.

Notice that the father only becomes upset with Joseph when the second dream, including him, is told.

Verse 10 Contradiction to previous story since his mother (Rachel) is already dead. May refer to Leah. 

It has been proposed that it did not and could not come true, and therefore this dream reflects Joseph's 

own selfish desires, not a revelation from God.

Similarity between 11b and Mary pondering these things in Luke 2:19. What was he pondering? 

Perhaps looking back to his own rise to supremacy over his older brothers.

Read 12-17

Echo of the child Samuel hearing God's voice and saying, “Here I am, Lord.” Indicates obedience to 

authority. Perhaps Joseph had heeded his father's rebuke. Importance of listening to others and 

adjusting behavior and attitude. Similar to later story of David being sent by father to help his brothers.

Verse 15 What do you make of this unnamed stranger? May be an angel, or in any case indicate that 

events are inevitably directing Joseph's course of history through God's Providence.

Verse 17 Dotham is a few miles north of Shechem and situated along a trade route.

Read 18-24

Verse 19 Hebrew is sarcastic “dream maker,” not just dreamer.

Verse 20b Man cannot thwart the will of God.

Verses 21-22 Difficulty of standing up to a group of peers. Interesting in that Reuben was the oldest 

son and might have suspected that Joseph was going to supplant him. May indicate that he used force 

to keep them from hurting Joseph. Reuben compromises in order to save Joseph, doesn't out and out lie 

to his brothers but misleads them as to his real motives. Excusable lie?? The setting of Shechem may 

have reminded him of the earlier slaughter in Genesis 34 when his brothers took revenge over the 

attack on his sister Dinah.

Verse 23 We learn that Joseph had the nerve to wear his clothes of honor into the field, rubbing his 

brothers' nose in it.

Verse 24 Pits were cisterns for storing water, used as prisons (as happened to Jeremiah later)'

Read 25-28

Verse 25 Sat down to eat. One Puritan writer said, “With what heart could they say grace?”

Verse 26 Perhaps they believed that shed blood will cry out (as in the Cain and Abel story) and can't be 

concealed.

Judah uses a practical argument rather than the moral argument of Reuben. He wants the same thing 

done as his brothers, but also wants to profit from the crime.

Verses 25-28 Confusion as to who they were sold to; was it Ishmaelites (25, 27) or Midianites (28, 36)? 

Contradiction?? Interchangeable terms. (see Judges 8:24 – the Midianites were Ishmaelites) The price 

for a slave was approximately correct for the 18^th cent. BC. By the 15^th cent. It had gone up to 30-40 

pieces of silver.

Read 29-36

Verse 29 Where was Reuben off to? It has been proposed that as the oldest son, he took the 

responsibility of guarding the sheep when he saw strangers approaching. We need to examine our 

priorities.

Verse 30 Cry of Reuben may be due to his realization that he has failed in his duties as eldest son in 

protecting Joseph. Thinking of his own fate—perhaps trying to win back his father's favor.

Verse 31 Jacob had used a slaughtered animal and specific clothing to carry out his own deception 

earlier. Sins run in families? Or is this God's use of appropriate consequences for sinful actions.

Verse 34 Job 1:20 – The LORD giveth and the LORD taketh away. Blessed be the name of the LORD. 

Compare 2 Samuel 12:21-23 for the proper handling of grief.

Barnhouse: “In Joseph we find one of the few characters in the Bible about which nothing bad is 

said....he is a type of Christ” There are few “sinless” heroes in the Bible. Even Jonah is said to be a 

type of Christ. How about Joseph? (arrogant, braggart, spoiled, tattletale, doesn't write home, 

seemingly deserts his faith while in Egypt, “tortures” his brothers).

 

Joseph as a type of Jesus (none mentioned in the NT): Seamless garment, rises from the pit, second 

only to the Father, last supper scene, favorite son, turns from temptation, shows supernatural vision, 

prophesies, brothers turn against him, becomes a servant to others, forgives those who tried to kill him, 

realizes that God uses evil intentions to accomplish his will, saves his people, feeds the people when no 

food is available, exhibits both love and justice. Specific parallel in exact wording: “Come! Let us kill 

him” is also found in the parable of wicked tenants killing the son (Matthew 21:38).