Genesis 37

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:36

Verse 36 36.And the Midianites sold him into Egypt It was a sad spectacle, that Joseph should be thus driven from one hand to another. For it added no small indignity to his former suffering, that he is set to sale as a slave. The Lord, however, ceased not to care for him. He even suffered him to be transferred from hand to hand, in order that, at length, it might indeed appear, that he had come, by celestial guidance, to that very dominion which had been promised him in his dreams. Potiphar is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:1

And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger (literally, in the land of the sojourning,'s of his father ) , in the land of Canaan . This verse is not the commencement of the ensuing (Keil, Kalisch, Lange, &c.;), but the concluding sentence of the present, section, the adversative particle ו , corresponding to the δε of the LXX ; introducing a contrast between Esau, who dwelt in Mount Seir, and Jacob, who dwelt in the land of Canaan, and the following... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:1

The last of the house of Esau. I. THE REMOVAL OF ESAU 'S HOUSE FROM CANAAN . 1. A complete removal. "Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into a land apart from the face of his brother." 2. A necessary removal. Two things rendered the withdrawal of Esau from Canaan imperative— 3. A peaceful ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:1-36

The representative man. Jacob may be said to fall into the background from this time until his parting benediction. The kingdom of God is represented in Joseph and his history. The main points in this chapter are— I. GOD 'S DISTINGUISHING GRACE TO JOSEPH , separating him from his brethren in character, in his father's affection, in the method of his life, in' the communications of the Spirit. Joseph is the type of the believer, faithful to the covenant, amongst both the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:2

These are the generations of Jacob . The opening of a new section (cf. Genesis 2:4 ; Genesis 5:1 &c.;). Joseph , the son of Rachel, and born in Padan-aram ( Genesis 30:24 )— being seventeen years old ,—literally, a son of seventeen years, thus making Jacob 108— was feeding the flock with his brethren ;—literally, was shepherding; not his brethren (Bush), but with his brethren, in, or among, the flock— and the lad was —literally, and he a lad, aetate, moribus et... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:2-4

Joseph at home. "Joseph, being seventeen years old," &c.; Picturesque scene is the encampment of Jacob. How well the dark camel-hair tents harmonize with the general character of the spots in which they are pitched. Peace and purity should dwell there. Ten men of the tribe of Jacob are most depraved, but their characters only threw into brighter prominence that of Joseph. It is probable that Jacob gave greater attention to the training of Joseph than to that of his brethren. He showed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:2-11

§ 11. THE GENERATIONS OF JACOB ( GENESIS 37:2-50:26). 2. By those who repudiate the Mosaic authorship of Genesis the present section is variously distributed among the alleged candidates for the honor of its composition. Beyond the ascription of Genesis 38:1-30 ; to the Jehovist, there is the most complete absence of unanimity among partitionists as to whom the different portions are to be assigned. Genesis 37:2-36 , which Tuch declares to be the work of the Elohist, Bleek... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:2-11

Joseph in his father's house. I. JOSEPH EMPLOYED WITH HIS BRETHREN . 1. With them in the sense of as well as them . That is to say, Joseph no more than the other sons of his father was trained to indolence. It is the duty of parents to educate their children in some useful and honorable calling. Even when not required for procuring daily bread, it is of advantage as a means of withdrawing one from temptations which would otherwise beset him, while it largely enhances the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:3

Now (literally, and) Israel loved Joseph more than all his children (literally, sons), because he was the son of his old age —literally, a son of old age (was) he to him; not a son possessing the wisdom of advanced years (Onkelos), but a son born in his old age (Rosenmüller, Keil, Kalisch, et alii ) , which was literally true of Joseph, since he was born in his father's ninety-first year. Yet as Joseph was only a year or two younger than the children of Bilhah and Zilpah, and as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:4

And when (literally, and) his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they (literally, and they ) hated him ,—as Esau hated Jacob ( Genesis 27:41 ; cf. Genesis 49:23 )— and could not speak peaceably unto him —literally, they were not able to speak of him for peace, i e . they could not address him in such a way as to wish him well; they could not offer him the customary salutation of Shalom , or Peace. read more

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