18. when they saw him afar off—on the level grass field, where they were watching their cattle. They could perceive him approaching in the distance from the side of Shechem, or rather, Samaria. read more
E. What Became of Jacob 37:2-50:26Here begins the tenth and last toledot in Genesis. Jacob remains a major character throughout Genesis. Moses recorded his death in chapter 49. Nevertheless Joseph replaces him as the focus of the writer’s attention at this point. [Note: For some enriching insights into the similarities between the stories of Jacob and Joseph, see Peter Miscall, "The Jacob and Joseph Stories As Analogies," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 6 (February 1978):28-40.]... read more
2. The sale of Joseph into Egypt 37:12-36Joseph’s brothers met his second recorded visit to them with great antagonism. They plotted to kill him and so render his dreams impossible to fulfill. For practical reasons they decided to sell him and to deceive Jacob into thinking that a wild beast had killed him. In spite of their plan God kept Joseph alive and safe in Egypt. Ironically, by selling Joseph into Egypt his brothers actualized the dreams they sought to subvert. The focus of this pericope... read more
The extreme measures Joseph’s brothers considered to silence him have led some commentators to conclude that it was not just personal hatred springing from jealousy that motivated them (cf. Cain, Genesis 4:9). They may have wanted to alter the will of God as revealed in Joseph’s dreams as well."The brothers’ hate is therefore a rebellion against the matter contained in the dreams, against the divine power itself, standing behind them, who had given the dreams. The expression usually translated... read more
Joseph is Hated by his Brethren and Sold into EgyptWith the exception of a few passages chiefly in Genesis 46, 49, the rest of the book of Genesis is taken from the Primitive source.The chief event with which the rest of Genesis is concerned, namely, the migration of Israel to Egypt, displays the working out of God’s purposes declared in Genesis 15. In Egypt the chosen race grew in peace from a tribe to a nation, instead of having to encounter the hostility of the Canaanites as their numbers... read more
Joseph and His Brethren Genesis 37:0 With the story of Joseph we come to the last division of Genesis. The development and progress of the household of Jacob, until at length it became a nation in Egypt, had Joseph as a pioneer. The fullness of the narrative is worthy of consideration. There is a fourfold value and importance in the record of Joseph's life. (1) It gives the explanation of the development of the Hebrews. (2) It is a remarkable proof of the quiet operation of Divine Providence... read more
JOSEPH’S DREAMSGenesis 37:1-36"Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee."- Psalms 76:10THE migration of Israel from Canaan to Egypt was a step of prime importance in the history. Great difficulties surrounded it, and very extraordinary means were used to bring it about.The preparatory steps occupied about twenty years, and nearly a fourth of the Book of Genesis is devoted to this period. This migration was a new idea. So little was it the result of an accidental dearth, or of any of those... read more
XII. THE GENERATIONS OF JACOB CHAPTER 37 The Story of Joseph 1. Jacob dwelling in Canaan (Genesis 37:1 ) 2. Joseph’s character and feeding the flock (Genesis 37:2 ) 3. Beloved of his father (Genesis 37:3 ) 4. Hated by his brethren (Genesis 37:4 ) 5. The dream of the sheaves (Genesis 37:5-8 ) 6. The dream of the sun, moon and stars (Genesis 37:9-11 ) 7. Joseph seeks his brethren (Genesis 37:12-17 ) 8. The plot against Joseph (Genesis 37:18-22 ) 9. Joseph in the pit and sold... read more
37:18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they(g) conspired against him to slay him.(g) The Holy Spirit does not cover the faults of men, as vain writers do, who make virtues out of vices. read more
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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