At this chapter begins the story of Joseph, who, in every subsequent chapter but one to the end of this book, makes the greatest figure. He was Jacob’s eldest son by his beloved wife Rachel, born, as many eminent men were, of a mother that had been long barren.

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 , but a memorable useful history. Here is, 1.

Here, I. Joseph relates the prophetical dreams he had, Gen. 37:6–7 Gen. 37:9 Gen. 37:10. Though he was now very young (about seventeen years old), yet he was pious and devout, and well-inclined, and this fitted him for God’s gracious discoveries of himself to him.

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.

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…

I. Joseph would soon be missed, great enquiry would be made for him, and therefore his brethren have a further design, to make the world believe that Joseph was torn in pieces by a wild beast; and this they did, 1. To clear themselves, that they might not be suspected to have done him any mischief.