Genesis 37:20

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 37:20

Come now therefore, and let us slay him ,.... Agree to do it, and actually do it: and cast him into some pit ; or, "one of the pits" F19 באחד הברות "in unam cisternarum", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius; "in unam ex cisternis istis", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "in unam fovearum", Schmidt. , which were near, and were dug for the collection of rainwater, as was usual in those countries where water was scarce: and we will say, some evil beast hath devoured him ; which... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:20

Come now and let us slay him - What unprincipled savages these must have been to talk thus coolly about imbruing their hands in an innocent brother's blood! How necessary is a Divine revelation, to show man what God hates and what he loves! Ferocious cruelty is the principal characteristic of the nations and tribes who receive not the law at his mouth. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:20

Verse 20 20.And cast him into some pit. Before they perpetrate the murder, they seek a pretext whereby they may conceal their crime from men. Meanwhile, it never enters into their mind, that what is hidden from men cannot escape the eyes of God. But so stupid is hypocrisy, that while it flees from the disgrace of the world, it is careless about the judgment of God. But it is a disease deeply rooted in the human mind, to put some specious color on every extreme act of iniquity. For although an... 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 37:20

C ome now therefore, and lot us slay him, and cast him into some pit (literally, into one of the pits or cisterns in the neighborhood), and we will say ( sc . to his father and ours), Some (literally, an ) evil beast hath devoured him (which will account for his disappearance); and we shall see what will become of his dreams —or, what his dreams will be. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:20-21

God's providence and man's responsibility. I. GOD 'S PURPOSES CARRIED OUT BY MEN IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR OWN PLANS . The word to Abraham ( Genesis 15:13 ) does not seem to have been thought of by Jacob. After long wandering he seemed to be settled in Canaan. But God was bringing to pass his word. Jacob's injudicious fondness for Joseph, the anger and murderous design of his brethren (cf. John 11:50 ; Acts 3:17 ), Reuben's timid effort for his deliverance (cf. Acts... 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

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