Genesis 37:4

Genesis 37:4

2 This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a ^abad report of them to his father.

3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was ^athe son of his old age. Also he ^bmade him a tunic of many colors.

4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they ^ahated him and could not speak peaceably to him.

5 Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.

6 So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed:

7 ^aThere we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.”

Commentaries:

Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown

<< Genesis 37:3

Genesis 37:5 >>

could not speak peaceably unto him—did not say "peace be to thee" [Genesis 43:23, etc.], the usual expression of good wishes among friends and acquaintances. It is deemed a sacred duty to give all this form of salutation; and the withholding of it is an unmistakable sign of dislike or secret hostility. The habitual refusal of Joseph's brethren, therefore, to meet him with "the salaam," showed how ill-disposed they were towards him. It is very natural in parents to love the youngest, and feel partial to those who excel in talents or amiableness. But in a family constituted as Jacob's—many children by different mothers—he showed great and criminal indiscretion.

**Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Genesis 37:4:**

Genesis 37:1

<< Genesis 37:3

Genesis 37:5 >>

DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.