Genesis 37 narrates the story of Joseph, the favored son of Jacob. Joseph’s brothers grow jealous of their father’s affection for him, as well as his dreams, which suggest Joseph’s future superiority. In one dream, Joseph sees his brothers’ sheaves of grain bowing down to his own sheaf. In another dream, he envisions the sun, moon, and stars bowing down to him. Enraged, Joseph’s brothers conspire against him.
One day, Jacob sends Joseph to check on his brothers who are tending their flock. When they see Joseph approaching, they seize him and plot to kill him. However, Reuben, the eldest brother, suggests throwing Joseph into a pit instead, planning to rescue him later. Unaware of Reuben’s intentions, the other brothers strip Joseph of his coat of many colors, a symbol of their father’s favor, and cast him into a pit.
As they sit down to eat, a caravan of Ishmaelite traders passes by, prompting Judah to propose selling Joseph instead. They sell him to the traders, who bring him to Egypt. Meanwhile, Reuben returns to the pit to rescue Joseph but discovers he is gone. Grief-stricken, the brothers dip Joseph’s coat in the blood of a goat and present it to Jacob, deceiving him into believing Joseph was devoured by a wild animal.
The story of Genesis 37 sets the stage for Joseph’s journey in Egypt, where he will face trials and eventually rise to prominence. Click the links below to uncover the depths of each verse in its context: