Analysis of Genesis Chapter 37
Genesis Chapter 37 is a pivotal chapter in the biblical narrative, marking the beginning of the story of Joseph, one of Jacob’s twelve sons. This chapter sets the stage for the unfolding drama that will lead Joseph from the depths of betrayal by his brothers to the heights of power in Egypt. This analysis aims to delve deeply into the verses of this chapter, offering insights and interpretations that illuminate the text’s significance and the themes it presents.
Overview and Context
The narrative in Genesis Chapter 37 can be divided into several key sections:
- The introduction of Joseph and his family dynamics (verses 1-4).
- The recounting of Joseph’s dreams, which foreshadow his future (verses 5-11).
- The conspiracy of Joseph’s brothers to get rid of him (verses 12-24).
- Joseph’s sale to the Ishmaelites and subsequent journey to Egypt (verses 25-36).
Each of these sections contains rich themes of favoritism, jealousy, dreams, betrayal, and providence, which are intricately woven into the fabric of the story. These themes not only drive the narrative forward but also offer profound moral and spiritual lessons for readers.
Verses 1-4: Family Dynamics and Favoritism
The chapter opens with a brief mention that Jacob settled in the land of Canaan, continuing his father’s legacy. The first four verses introduce the reader to the strained family dynamics within Jacob’s household:
“Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. 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 bad report of them to his father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also, he made him a tunic of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.”
The favoritism shown by Jacob towards Joseph is a critical element that sets the stage for subsequent events. This preferential treatment is symbolized by the “tunic of many colors,” an ornate garment that distinguishes Joseph from his brothers. Jacob’s favoritism is problematic for several reasons:
- It creates division and resentment among the brothers, as indicated by their hatred and inability to “speak peaceably” to Joseph. This sets up a conflict that will escalate throughout the chapter.
- It underscores a recurring theme in Genesis of parental favoritism and its destructive consequences, as seen earlier with Isaac and Rebekah’s favoritism towards Esau and Jacob, respectively.
Moreover, Joseph’s action of bringing a “bad report” about his brothers to their father could be interpreted as a mix of youthful naivety and a sense of responsibility. This action further alienates him from his brothers, who perceive him as a tattletale and favored son simultaneously.
Verses 5-11: Joseph’s Dreams
The next section of the chapter focuses on Joseph’s dreams, which play a significant role in the narrative. Joseph has two dreams, and he shares both with his brothers and father:
“Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. So he said to them, ‘Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: There 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.’ And his brothers said to him, ‘Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?’ So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.
Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, ‘Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.’ So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, ‘What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?’ And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.”
These dreams are prophetic and foreshadow Joseph’s future rise to power. However, they also exacerbate the tension between Joseph and his family:
- The imagery of the sheaves and celestial bodies bowing down to Joseph implies his future authority over his family, which naturally incites jealousy and animosity among his brothers. His brothers’ reaction, “Shall you indeed reign over us?”, reflects their indignation and disbelief at the thought of bowing to their younger brother.
- Jacob’s reaction is twofold: he rebukes Joseph, perhaps to maintain familial harmony or because he is troubled by the implications of the dream, but he also “kept the matter in mind,” suggesting he recognizes a deeper, possibly divine, significance in the dreams.
The inclusion of dreams as a means of divine communication is consistent with other scriptural examples, where dreams often serve as vessels for God’s messages. In Joseph’s case, while the immediate reaction is negative, the dreams set in motion a chain of events leading to the fulfillment of God’s larger plan.
Verses 12-24: The Brothers’ Conspiracy
The narrative then shifts to depict the brothers’ growing hatred culminating in a conspiracy to eliminate Joseph:
“Then his brothers went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, ‘Are not your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.’ So he said to him, ‘Here I am.’ Then he said to him, ‘Please go and see if it is well with your brothers and well with the flocks, and bring back word to me.’ So he sent him out of the Valley of Hebron, and he went to Shechem.
Now a certain man found him, and there he was, wandering in the field. And the man asked him, saying, ‘What are you seeking?’ So he said, ‘I am seeking my brothers. Please tell me where they are feeding their flocks.’ And the man said, ‘They have departed from here, for I heard them say, “Let us go to Dothan.”‘ So Joseph went after his brothers and found them in Dothan.
Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him. Then they said to one another, ‘Look, this dreamer is coming! Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, “Some wild beast has devoured him.” We shall see what will become of his dreams!’
But Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, and said, ‘Let us not kill him.’ And Reuben said to them, ‘Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him’—that he might deliver him out of their hands, and bring him back to his father.
So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it.”
This passage highlights several important elements:
- Jacob’s Unawareness: Jacob sends Joseph to check on his brothers, unaware of the danger posed by their jealousy. This mission underscores Joseph’s obedience and his role within the family as a sort of overseer or reporter.
- The Conspiracy: The brothers’ recognition of Joseph “afar off” and their immediate conspiracy to kill him demonstrates their deep-seated animosity. Their derisive reference to Joseph as “this dreamer” indicates their disdain for his prophetic dreams.
- Reuben’s Intervention: Reuben, the eldest brother, intervenes to prevent Joseph’s murder. His suggestion to throw Joseph into a pit, with the intention of rescuing him later, indicates a moral struggle and desire to protect his brother without directly opposing the group’s hostility.
- The Stripping of the Tunic: The act of stripping Joseph of his tunic is symbolic, representing the brothers’ rejection of their father’s favoritism and their attempt to erase Joseph’s special status.
- The Pit: Being cast into the pit can be seen as a metaphor for Joseph’s descent into suffering and abandonment, a major turning point in his journey.
Verses 25-36: Joseph Sold to the Ishmaelites
The final section of the chapter describes the brothers’ decision to sell Joseph and their deception of Jacob:
“And they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt. So Judah said to his brothers, ‘What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh.’ And his brothers listened.
Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.
Then Reuben returned to the pit, and indeed Joseph was not in the pit; and he tore his clothes. And he returned to his brothers and said, ‘The lad is no more; and I, where shall I go?’ So they took Joseph’s tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, ‘We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son’s tunic or not?’
And he recognized it and said, ‘It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.’ Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days. And all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, ‘For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning.’ Thus his father wept for him.
Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.”
This section builds on the themes of betrayal and deceit while advancing the plot towards Joseph’s ultimate destiny:
- Eating a Meal: The brothers’ act of sitting down to eat after throwing Joseph into the pit is callous and emphasizes their hard-heartedness. It also foreshadows future events where Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams will eventually lead to famine relief.
- Judah’s Proposal: Judah suggests selling Joseph rather than killing him, a pragmatic decision that changes Joseph’s fate. This action not only spares Joseph’s life but also serves as a turning point in the narrative, propelling him towards Egypt where God’s larger plan will unfold.
- Reuben’s Distress: Reuben’s reaction upon discovering Joseph’s absence from the pit (“he tore his clothes”) signifies his despair and fear of paternal reprisal, revealing his internal conflict between fraternal duty and personal responsibility.
- Deception of Jacob: The brothers’ deceitful presentation of the blood-soaked tunic to Jacob leads him to believe that Joseph has been killed by a wild beast, leaving him to mourn deeply. Jacob’s intense grief (“I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning”) underlines the tragedy and the emotional weight of the betrayal.
- New Beginning: Joseph’s sale to Potiphar in Egypt marks the beginning of his new chapter in life, transitioning from favored son to slave in a foreign land, setting the stage for future developments in the Genesis narrative.
Conclusion and Theological Significance
Genesis Chapter 37 is rich with themes of family strife, divine providence, and the unfolding of God’s plan through human actions, both righteous and sinful. Joseph’s story is one of faith, resilience, and God’s sovereignty working through complex and often painful circumstances to bring about eventual good.
The themes in this chapter mirror broader biblical motifs:
- God’s use of dreams as a medium of revelation and guidance, preparing and positioning individuals for their roles in His divine plan.
- The destructive effects of favoritism and jealousy within families, highlighting the importance of justice, equality, and reconciliation.
- The concept of suffering as a precursor to glory, with Joseph’s trials foreshadowing the ultimate salvation and redemption brought forth by God.
Genesis Chapter 37 serves as a foundation for understanding Joseph’s journey, encouraging readers to trust in God’s overarching plan despite immediate hardships. This narrative invites contemplation on how our own actions and sufferings might fit into a greater divine purpose, revealing God’s providence and faithfulness in all situations.