Genesis 37:2-11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 37:1-4

Moses has no more to say of the Edomites, unless as they happen to fall in Israel's way; but now applies himself closely to the story of Jacob's family: These are the generations of Jacob. His is not a bare barren genealogy as that of Esau (Gen. 36:1), but a memorable useful history. Here is, 1. Jacob a sojourner with his father Isaac, who has yet living, Gen. 37:1. We shall never be at home, till we come to heaven. 2. Joseph, a shepherd, feeding the flock with his brethren, Gen. 37:2. Though... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 37:5-11

Here, I. Joseph relates the prophetical dreams he had, Gen. 37:6, 7, 9, 10. Though he was now very young (about seventeen years old), yet he was pious and devout, and well-inclined, and this fitted him for God's gracious discoveries of himself to him. Joseph had a great deal of trouble before him, and therefore God gave him betimes this prospect of his advancement, to support and comfort him under the long and grievous troubles with which he was to be exercised. Thus Christ had a joy set... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:2

These are the generations of Jacob ,.... But no genealogy following, some interpret this of events or of things which befell Jacob, and his family, particularly with respect to his son Joseph, as Aben Ezra and Ben Melech take the sense of the word to be from Proverbs 27:1 ; but the words may refer to what goes before in the latter end of chapter 35, where an account is given of Jacob's sons, with regard to which it is here said, "these are the generations of Jacob"; the whole of chapter... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:3

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children ,.... He being the firstborn of his beloved Rachel, and a lovely youth, of a beautiful aspect, very promising, prudent and pious: the reason given in the text follows: because he was the son of his old age ; being ninety one years of age when he was born; and the youngest children are generally most beloved, and especially such as are born to their parents when in years. Benjamin indeed was younger than Joseph, and is described in like... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:4

And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren ,.... Which they perceived by various things in his behaviour to him, by his words, his looks, his gestures, and particularly by the coat he had made him, which distinguished him from the rest: they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him ; they not only inwardly hated him, but they could not conceal their hatred, but betrayed it by their speech unto him; they could not speak to him on any... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:5

And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren ,.... As a dream, in the simplicity of his heart; not understanding it, or imagining there was any meaning in it; he told it not with any design to affront them, but as an amusement, and for their diversion, there being something in it odd and ridiculous, as he himself might think: and they hated him yet the more ; not only because he had carried an ill report of them to his father, and because he loved him more than they, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:6

And he said unto them, hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed. Hear now, so the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan, immediately, directly, lest he should forget it, having perhaps dreamt it the night before; though our version expresses more modesty and submission. The dream follows: read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:7

For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field ,.... So it was represented in his mind in a dream, as if it was harvest time, and he and his brethren were at work together in the field binding up sheaves of corn that were reaped, in order to be carried home: and, lo, my sheaf arose, and stood upright ; it seemed to him, that after he had bound and laid it on the ground, that it rose up of itself, and stood erect: and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:8

And his brethren said unto him ,.... After he had told his dream, being highly offended with him, understanding the dream, and the meaning of it, better than he did: shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shall thou indeed have dominion over us ? denying that he ever should, and reproving him for his vanity, in concluding from hence that he would have the dominion over them. So the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan, dost thou think, suppose, or imagine that thou shall rule over us? it looks... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:9

And he dreamed yet another dream ,.... Relating to the name subject as the former, and, for the confirmation of it, only the emblems are different, and more comprehensive: and told it his brethren, and said, behold, I have dreamed a dream more ; another dream, and which he told, either as not knowing fully the resentment of his brethren at his former dream, or in order to clear himself from any charge of feigning the dream, or having any ill intention in telling it; seeing he had another... read more

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