Gen. 37 Jacob dwells in Canaan: Joseph brings to his father an ill report of his brethren, Gen. 37:2. He loves, they hate him, Gen. 37:3–4; the more because of his dreams which he told them, Gen. 37:5. His first dream, Gen. 37:7. His brethren interpret it, and their hatred increases, Gen. 37:8.

The generations, i.e. the events or occurrences which happened to Jacob in his family and issue. So that word is used Gen. 6:9, Num. 3:1. Or the word these may relate to what is said Gen. 35:22;c.

He was the son of his old age, being born when Jacob was ninety-one years old. Such children are commonly best beloved by their parents, either because such are a singular blessing of God, and a more than common testimony of his favour, and a mercy least expected by them, and therefore most prized;…

Their hatred was so deep and keen, that they could not smother it, as for their own interest they should have done, but discovered it by their churlish words and carriages to him.

The dream it is probable he did not understand, for then he would never have told it to them, who, as he knew very well, were likely to make an evil construction and use of it.

We were binding sheaves in the field; a secret insinuation of the occasion of Joseph’s advancement, which was from his counsel and care about the corn of Egypt. Your sheaves stood round about; this was a posture of ministry and service, as is manifest both from Scripture and from common usage.

For his relation of his dreams, which they imputed to his arrogancy.

He dreamed another dream, that the repetition of the same thing in another shape might teach them that the thing was both certain and very observable. The sun and the moon were not mentioned in the first dream, because in the event his brethren only went at first to Egypt and there worshipped him,…

His father rebuked him; not through anger at Joseph, or contempt of his dream, for it follows, he observed it; but partly lest Joseph should be puffed up upon the account of his dreams, and principally to allay the envy and hatred of his brethren. Thy mother: either, 1.

The words of Joseph; or the thing, the dream which he told; well knowing that God did frequently at that time signify his mind by dreams, and perceiving something singular and extraordinary in this dream, and especially in the doubling of it.

In the parts adjoining to Shechem, in the lands which he had purchased there, Gen. 33:19. Let none think strange that he should send his sheep so far from him, both because that land was his own, and because his sheep being exceeding numerous, and he but a stranger in the land, was likely to be…

1729 Having kept him for some time at home, and supposing that length of time had cooled their heats, and worn out their hatred, he now sends him to them.

Dothan a place not very far from Shechem, where afterwards a city was built. See 2 Kings 6:13.

Heb. This master of dreams, this crafty dreamer, that covers his own ambitious designs and desires with pretences or fictions of dreams.

Cast him into some pit; partly, as unworthy of burial; partly, to cover their villanous action; and partly, that they might quickly put him out of their sight and minds. Some evil beast hath devoured him, there being great store of such creatures in those parts. See 1 Kings 13:24, 2 Kings 2:24.

He delivered him, as to the violent and certain despatch of his life which was intended. Or the act is here put for the purpose and endeavour of doing it, in which sense Balak is said to fight against Israel, Josh. 24:9, and Abraham to offer up Isaac, Heb. 11:17. So here, he delivered him, i.e.

They sat down to eat bread, to refresh themselves, their consciences being stupified, and their hearts hardened against their brother, notwithstanding all his most passionate entreaties to them, Gen. 42:21. Ishmeelites; the posterity of Ishmael. See Gen. 25:18.

If we suffer him to perish in the pit, when we may sell him with advantage, and conceal his blood, i.e. his death, as the word blood is often used. See Deut. 17:8, 2 Sam. 1:16, 2 Sam. 3:28.

This story seems a little involved, and the persons to whom he was sold doubtful. Here seem to be two, if not three, sorts of merchants mentioned, Ishmeelites and Midianites here, and Medanites, as it is in the Hebrew, Gen.

Reuben returned unto the pit, that, according to his brethren’s order, Gen. 37:27, he might take him thence and sell him. He rent his clothes, as the manner was upon doleful occurrences. See below, Gen. 37:34, Num. 14:6, Ezra 9:3, Job 1:20, Job 2:12.

He calls him the child comparatively to his brethren, though he was seventeen years old, Gen. 37:2. The child is not, i.e. is not in the land of the living, or is dead, as that phrase is commonly used, as Gen. 42:13, Gen. 42:36, compared with Gen. 44:20, Job 7:21, Jer. 31:15, Lam. 5:7, Matt. 2:18.

They brought it by a messenger whom they sent: men are commonly said to do what they cause others to do.

Sackcloth, i.e. a coarse and mournful habit. This is the first example of that kind, but afterwards was in common use upon these occasions. See 2 Sam. 3:31, 1 Kings 20:31, 1 Kings 21:27;c.

All his daughters; Dinah, and his daughters-in-law, and his sons’ daughters. The grave; this Hebrew word sheol is taken sometimes for hell, as Job 11:8, Prov. 15:11, but most commonly for the grave, or the place or state of the dead, as Gen. 42:38, Gen. 44:29, Gen. 44:31, Ps. 6:5, Ps. 16:10;c.

Whose office it was to apprehend and punish criminal persons. See Gen. 40:3, Jer. 39:9, Mark 6:27.