Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 37:32
Genesis 37:32. They sent—and they brought, &c.— i.e.. The brethren sent the coat by messengers to their father, which messengers brought it to Jacob. read more
Genesis 37
Thomas Coke
Thomas Coke
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 37:35
Genesis 37:35. All his sons and all his daughters, &c.— Though Jacob had but one daughter of his own, yet, as his sons were married, all his daughters may well be supposed to include his daughters-in-law. They rose up to comfort him, does not imply any information from them of Joseph's being alive: the contrary is to be evidently inferred from Jacob's refusing to be comforted, and saying, I will go down into the grave unto my son, mourning; i.e.. I will continue to mourn till I go to that... read more
Thomas Coke
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 37:36
Genesis 37:36. An officer of Pharaoh's— Pharaoh, as we have before observed, was the common name of the kings of AEgypt. The person here mentioned is said to have been captain of the guards שׂראּהטבחים Sar-hatabachim, chief of the slaughter-men or executioners, or captain of the guards; for princes anciently used not to have any other executioners than their own guards. Thus we find, as late as the time of Herod the tetrarch, that he sent σπεκουλατωρα, speculatorem, one of his guard, to behead... read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 37
CHAPTER 37 :-. PARENTAL PARTIALITY. read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 37:1
1. Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger—that is, "a sojourner"; "father" used collectively. The patriarch was at this time at Mamre, in the valley of Hebron (compare :-); and his dwelling there was continued in the same manner and prompted by the same motives as that of Abraham and Isaac ( :-). read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 37:2
2. generations—leading occurrences, in the domestic history of Jacob, as shown in the narrative about to be commenced. Joseph . . . was feeding the flock—literally, "Joseph being seventeen years old was a shepherd over the flock"—he a lad, with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah. Oversight or superintendence is evidently implied. This post of chief shepherd in the party might be assigned him either from his being the son of a principal wife or from his own superior qualities of character; and if... read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 37:3
3. son of his old age—Benjamin being younger, was more the son of his old age and consequently on that ground might have been expected to be the favorite. Literally rendered, it is "son of old age to him"—Hebrew phrase, for "a wise son"—one who possessed observation and wisdom above his years—an old head on young shoulders. made him a coat of many colors—formed in those early days by sewing together patches of colored cloth, and considered a dress of distinction (Judges 5:30; 2 Samuel 13:18).... read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 37:4
4. could not speak peaceably unto him—did not say "peace be to thee" [ :-, 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... read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 37:5
5. Joseph dreamed a dream—Dreams in ancient times were much attended to, and hence the dream of Joseph, though but a mere boy, engaged the serious consideration of his family. But this dream was evidently symbolical. The meaning was easily discerned, and, from its being repeated under different emblems, the fulfilment was considered certain (compare :-), whence it was that "his brethren envied him, but his father observed the saying" [ :-]. read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 37:29
Genesis 37:29. And Reuben returned unto the pit, &c.— We remarked on Gen 37:2 that the sons of Jacob fed their flocks separately: this is confirmed by the present verse. For it is unquestionable, that Reuben, after he had saved his brother Joseph's life, left the rest of them, probably to attend his own flock; and determined to return to the pit, and rescue Joseph from it. But when he came, a stranger to what had passed, and found him not there, he was in the greatest agonies of grief,... read more