Genesis 37:3

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:3

A coat of many colors - פסים כתנת kethoneth passim , a coat made up of stripes of differently colored cloth. Similar to this was the toga praetexta of the Roman youth, which was white, striped or fringed with purple; this they wore till they were seventeen years of age, when they changed it for the toga virilis , or toga pura , which was all white. Such vestures as clothing of distinction are worn all over Persia, India, and China to the present day. It is no wonder that his... 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 37:2-4

Joseph at home. "Joseph, being seventeen years old," &c.; Picturesque scene is the encampment of Jacob. How well the dark camel-hair tents harmonize with the general character of the spots in which they are pitched. Peace and purity should dwell there. Ten men of the tribe of Jacob are most depraved, but their characters only threw into brighter prominence that of Joseph. It is probable that Jacob gave greater attention to the training of Joseph than to that of his brethren. He showed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:2-11

§ 11. THE GENERATIONS OF JACOB ( GENESIS 37:2-50:26). 2. By those who repudiate the Mosaic authorship of Genesis the present section is variously distributed among the alleged candidates for the honor of its composition. Beyond the ascription of Genesis 38:1-30 ; to the Jehovist, there is the most complete absence of unanimity among partitionists as to whom the different portions are to be assigned. Genesis 37:2-36 , which Tuch declares to be the work of the Elohist, Bleek... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:2-11

Joseph in his father's house. I. JOSEPH EMPLOYED WITH HIS BRETHREN . 1. With them in the sense of as well as them . That is to say, Joseph no more than the other sons of his father was trained to indolence. It is the duty of parents to educate their children in some useful and honorable calling. Even when not required for procuring daily bread, it is of advantage as a means of withdrawing one from temptations which would otherwise beset him, while it largely enhances the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:3

Now (literally, and) Israel loved Joseph more than all his children (literally, sons), because he was the son of his old age —literally, a son of old age (was) he to him; not a son possessing the wisdom of advanced years (Onkelos), but a son born in his old age (Rosenmüller, Keil, Kalisch, et alii ) , which was literally true of Joseph, since he was born in his father's ninety-first year. Yet as Joseph was only a year or two younger than the children of Bilhah and Zilpah, and as... 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 37:3

Genesis 37:3. The son of his old age Born when Jacob was ninety-one years old. Such children are commonly best beloved of their parents. Several of the ancient translations, Chaldee, Persian, Arabic, and Samaritan, render the words a wise or prudent son, old age being an emblem of prudence; one born old, wise above his years. Jacob’s other sons had in many things grieved and disgraced him; but Joseph, it seems, gave, while young, indications of that wisdom and piety which adorned his... read more

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