Genesis 37:20-29 NIV

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 37:23-30

We have here the execution of their plot against Joseph. 1. They stripped him, each striving to seize the envied coat of many colours, Gen. 37:23. Thus, in imagination, they degraded him from the birthright, of which perhaps this was the badge, grieving him, affronting their father, and making themselves sport, while they insulted over him. ?Now, Joseph, where is the fine coat?? Thus our Lord Jesus was stripped of his seamless coat, and thus his suffering saints have first been industriously... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:21

And Reuben heard it ,.... Overheard what they said, not being in the consultation; perhaps knowing his temper and disposition to be more mild and gentle, and being the elder brother, might fear he would overrule matters against them, and therefore Simeon and Levi did not choose to have him in the debate; or he might be at some distance and entirely absent when the consultation was held, and their intention was reported to him by some of them: and he delivered him out of their hands ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:22

And Reuben said unto them, shed no blood ,.... Innocent blood, as the Targum of Jonathan; the blood of a man, a brother's blood, one that had not done anything wherefore it should be shed, and which would involve in guilt, and bring vengeance on them: he seems to put them in mind of the original law in Genesis 9:6 , but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him : which might seem to answer the same purpose, namely, by depriving him of his life in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:23

And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren ,.... To the very place where they were, and had, in a kind and obliging manner, asked of their welfare, and related their father's concern for them, who had sent him on this errand: that they stripped, Joseph out of his coat; his coat of many colours, that was on him ; according to Jarchi and Aben Ezra, this was not one and the same coat, but divers, and that the sense is, that with his coat of many colours, and besides... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:24

And they took him, and cast him into a pit ,.... Into the same that Reuben pointed to them, whose counsel they gladly took and readily executed, supposing he meant the same thing they did, starving him to death: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it ; only serpents and scorpions, as the Targum of Jonathan; and Jarchi adds, this remark, that there was no water in it, seems to be made either to furnish out a reason why Reuben directed to it, that he might be the more easily... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:25

And they sat down to eat bread ,.... Not at all concerned at what they had done, nor in the least grieved for the affliction of Joseph, and without any pity and compassion for him in his distress, but joyful and glad they had got him into their hands, and like to get rid of him for ever: and they lifted up their eyes, and looked , after they had eaten their food, or while they were eating it: and, behold, a company of Ishmaelites came from Gilead ; a place of merchandise for spices... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:26

And Judah said unto his brethren ,.... In sight of the Ishmaelites, a thought came into his mind to get Joseph sold to them: what profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood ? it could be no advantage to them even if they could have concealed his blood from men; and if it was discovered, as it would, in all likelihood, by come means or another, then they must be answerable for it; and if not, God would take vengeance on them, from whom they could never conceal it; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:27

Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites ,.... For a slave, and that will defeat his dream; and as these were going down to Egypt, where they would sell him, he would be far enough from them, and there would be no probability of his ever being lord over them: and let not our hand be upon him ; to take away his life, either by stabbing or starving him: for he is our brother, and our flesh ; they had all one father, though different mothers, and therefore, as the relation was... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 37:12-22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 37:23-30

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:27

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