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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 37:12-22

Here is, I. The kind visit which Joseph, in obedience to his father's command, made to his brethren, who were feeding the flock at Shechem, many miles off. Some suggest that they went thither on purpose, expecting that Joseph would be sent to see them, and that then they should have an opportunity to do him a mischief. However, Joseph and his father had both of them more of the innocence of the dove than of the wisdom of the serpent, else he had never come thus into the hands of those that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:22

And Reuben said unto them, shed no blood ,.... Innocent blood, as the Targum of Jonathan; the blood of a man, a brother's blood, one that had not done anything wherefore it should be shed, and which would involve in guilt, and bring vengeance on them: he seems to put them in mind of the original law in Genesis 9:6 , but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him : which might seem to answer the same purpose, namely, by depriving him of his life in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:22

Verse 22 22.Cast him into this pit. The pious fallacy to which Reuben descended, sufficiently proves with what vehemence the rage of his brethren was burning. For he neither dares openly to oppose them, nor to dissuade them from their crime; because he saw that no reasons would avail to soften them. Nor does it extenuate their cruelty, that they consent to his proposal, as if they were disposed to clemency; for if either one course or the other were necessary, it would have been better for him... 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 37:12-25

Joseph among his brethren at Dothan. I. THE FRIENDLY MISSION . 1. Its local destination . This was Shechem, at a distance of sixty miles from Hebron, where Jacob had previously resided for a number of years and acquired a small estate ( Genesis 33:18 , Genesis 33:19 ), where Jacob's sons had committed, a few years before, the terrible atrocity which made the name of Israel stink throughout the land ( Genesis 34:26-30 ); and where now Joseph's brethren were shepherding... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:21-22

And Reuben (the eldest son, and therefore probably regarding himself as in some degree responsible for Joseph's safety) heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him —literally, Let us not destroy his life ( nephesh ). And Reuben said (further) unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness ( i.e. into a dry pit that was near), and lay no hand upon him; that (the adverb indicates the purpose Reuben had in view) ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 37:1-36

- Joseph Was Sold into Egypt17. דתין dotayı̂n Dothain, “two wells?” (Gesenius)25. נכאת neko't “tragacanth” or goat’s-thorn gum, yielded by the “astragalus gummifer”, a native of Mount Lebanon. צרי tsērı̂y “opobalsamum,” the resin of the balsam tree, growing in Gilead, and having healing qualities. לט loṭ, λῆδον lēdon, “ledum, ladanum,” in the Septuagint στακτή staktē. The former is a gum produced from the cistus rose. The latter is a gum resembling liquid myrrh.36. פוטיפר pôṭı̂yphar... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:1-36

37:1-50:26 FAMILY GROWTH AND THE MOVE TO EGYPTJoseph taken to Egypt (37:1-36)God had told Abraham that his descendants would become slaves in a foreign land, and would remain there till Canaan was ready for judgment. Then they would destroy the Canaanites and possess their land (see 15:13-16). The long story of Joseph shows how God was directing events according to his preannounced purposes.Being the father’s favourite, Joseph was not popular with his ten older brothers. He was even less... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 37:22

that he might rid him, &c. Figure of speech Parenthesis , by way of explanation. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 37:18-24

"And they saw him afar off, and before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into one of the pits, and we will say, An evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. And Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand, and said, Let us not take his life. And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood; cast him into this pit... read more

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