Genesis 37:14-17

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 37:14

And he said to him, go, I pray thee ,.... Or "now" F11 נא "nunc", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius. , directly, immediately, which is more agreeable to the authority of a father: see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks ; it having been many days, and perhaps months, since he had heard anything of them; and the rather Jacob might be under a concern for them, because of the danger they were exposed to from the neighbouring... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:15

And a certain man found him ,.... Many of the Jewish writers F12 Pirke Eliezer, c. 38. Targum Jon. & Jarchi in loc. say, this was an angel, the angel Gabriel, in the likeness of a man; but according to Aben Ezra, it was a traveller he met on the road; but it is more probable, as Schimidt observes, that it was some man at work in the field that came upon him and took notice of him: and, behold, he was wandering in the field ; in some field near Shechem, perhaps the same his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:16

And he said, I seek my brethren ,.... Whom, no doubt, he described to the man, and told him who they were, and to whom they belonged; or otherwise the man would have been at a loss to know who he meant, and what further to say to him, and without which Joseph would never have made the following request to him: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks ; in what part of the country they are, what field they are in, how far to it, and which the way. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:17

And the man said, they are departed hence ,.... They had been there, in the field where he and Joseph were, and which was probably the field before mentioned; but for good reasons, perhaps for want of pasture, or in order to find better feeding for their cattle, they were gone from thence, from the fields about Shechem: for I heard them say, let us go to Dothan ; this was, as some say, four miles from Shechem, others eight F13 Bunting's Travels, p. 79. Ainsworth in loc. ; according... read more

Adam Clarke

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

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 37:14

And he (Jacob) sa id to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren (literally, see the place of thy brethren ) , and well with the flocks (literally, and the peace of the flock ); and bring me word again. So (literally, and ) he sent him out of the vale of Hebron ( vide Genesis 35:27 ), and he same to Shechem —a distance of sixty miles. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:14-15

Joseph leaving home. "Go, I pray thee, see whether," &c.; Joseph left home unexpectedly. He knew not when he left it to seek his brethren that he would never come back again. After a longer journey than he anticipated Joseph finds his brethren. I. Like many leaving home, Joseph MET WITH FAITHFUL GUIDES . There are generally companions, teachers, ministers to help. II. Like many leaving home, Joseph FELL INTO SNARES . He could not help himself. The snares were not such... read more

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