Genesis 37:4

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 37:4

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:4

And could not speak peaceably unto him - Does not this imply, in our use of the term, that they were continually quarrelling with him? but this is no meaning of the original: לשלם דברו יכלו ולא velo yachelu dabbero leshalom , they could not speak peace to him, i. e., they would not accost him in a friendly manner. They would not even wish him well. The eastern method of salutation is, Peace be to thee! לך שלום shalom lecha , among the Hebrews, and salam , peace, or salam kebibi ,... 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 37:4

And when (literally, and) his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they (literally, and they ) hated him ,—as Esau hated Jacob ( Genesis 27:41 ; cf. Genesis 49:23 )— and could not speak peaceably unto him —literally, they were not able to speak of him for peace, i e . they could not address him in such a way as to wish him well; they could not offer him the customary salutation of Shalom , or Peace. 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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