Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:19
Behold, this dreamer cometh - החלמות בעל baal hachalomoth , this master of dreams, this master dreamer. A form of speech which conveys great contempt. read more
Genesis 37
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:20
Come now and let us slay him - What unprincipled savages these must have been to talk thus coolly about imbruing their hands in an innocent brother's blood! How necessary is a Divine revelation, to show man what God hates and what he loves! Ferocious cruelty is the principal characteristic of the nations and tribes who receive not the law at his mouth. read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:21
Reuben heard it - Though Reuben appears to have been a transgressor of no ordinary magnitude, if we take Genesis 35:22 ; according to the letter, yet his bosom was not the habitation of cruelly. He determined, if possible, to save his brother from death, and deliver him safely to his father, with whose fondness for him he was sufficiently acquainted. Josephus, in his usual way, puts a long flourishing speech in the mouth of Reuben on the occasion, spoken in order to dissuade his brethren... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:23
They stripped Joseph out of his coat - This probably was done that, if ever found, he might not be discerned to be a person of distinction, and consequently, no inquiry made concerning him. read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:25
They sat down to eat bread - Every act is perfectly in character, and describes forcibly the brutish and diabolic nature of their ruthless souls. A company of Ishmaelites - We may naturally suppose that this was a caravan, composed of different tribes that, for their greater safety, were traveling together, and of which Ishmaelites and Midianites made the chief. In the Chaldee they are called Arabians, which, from ערב arab , to mingle, was in all probability used by the Targumist as... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:28
For twenty pieces of silver - In the Anglo-Saxon it is thirty pence. This, I think, is the first instance on record of selling a man for a slave; but the practice certainly did not commence now, it had doubtless been in use long before. Instead of pieces, which our translators supply, the Persian has miskal , which was probably intended to signify a shekel; and if shekels be intended, taking them at three shillings each, Joseph was sold for about three pounds sterling. I have known a whole... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:29
Ruben returned unto the pit - It appears he was absent when the caravan passed by, to whom the other brethren had sold Joseph. read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:30
The child is not; and I, whither shall I go? - The words in the original are very plaintive, בא אני אנה ואני איננו הילד haiyeled einennu , vaani anah , ani ba ! read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:32
Sent the coat of many colors - to their father - What deliberate cruelty to torture the feelings of their aged father, and thus harrow up his soul! read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:14
Go - see whether it be well with thy brethren - Literally, Go, I beseech thee, and see the peace of thy brethren, and the peace of the flock. Go and see whether they are all in prosperity. See Clarke on Genesis 37:4 ; (note). As Jacob's sons were now gone to feed the flock on the parcel of ground they had bought from the Shechemites, (see Genesis 33:19 ;), and where they had committed such a horrible slaughter, their father might feel more solicitous about their welfare, lest the... read more