GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 37:1 Whereas Esau’s descendants dwell in Seir (alongside the Horites), JACOB settles in CANAAN (like his father Isaac). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 37:2 Jacob’s Descendants. The last main section of Genesis 1:1 further develops the theme of a royal line descended from Abraham. As governor of Egypt, Joseph brings divine blessing to many people. Genesis 1:1, however, looks forward to a time when the leadership of Israel wi... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 37:3 THE SON OF HIS OLD AGE. Since Benjamin, not Joseph, was actually the last son born to Jacob, the unusual Hebrew expression “son of old age” could mean either (1) someone who displays exceptional maturity while still young or perhaps (2) the son closest to Jacob in his ol... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 37:5 JOSEPH HAD A DREAM. In Genesis 1:1, dreams are normally associated with divine revelations (see Genesis 20:3; Genesis 28:12; Genesis 31:10; Genesis 40:5; Genesis 41:1).... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 37:8 Joseph’s brothers understand Joseph’s first dream to mean that he will REIGN OVER them. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 37:9 The second dream reinforces the expectation that Joseph will have authority over the rest of his family. SHALL I AND YOUR MOTHER. When Joseph had this dream, his mother Rachel was probably dead (see Genesis 35:16); “your mother” refers to Leah. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = docume... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 37:12 SHECHEM. See note on 33:17–18. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 37:15 Since his brothers have moved farther north, Joseph travels from Shechem to DOTHAN, a journey of about 16 to 20 miles (26 to 32 km), to find them. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 37:18 THIS DREAMER. The brothers’ comment is full of sarcasm. The expression implies “master/owner of the dreams.” ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 37:21 As the oldest, REUBEN convinces his brothers not to kill Joseph. Reuben plans to rescue Joseph later and RESTORE HIM TO HIS FATHER. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 37:25 CARAVAN OF ISHMAELITES. These traders come from the Sinai Peninsula. Although initially identified as Ishmaelites (a broad category covering various people groups), in vv. Genesis 37:28 and Genesis 37:36 they are specifically called Midianites. COMING FROM GILEAD. See n... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 37:26 JUDAH SAID TO HIS BROTHERS. Although Judah shows compassion by not wanting to kill Joseph, he may have seen an opportunity to profit from selling his brother. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 37:29 TORE HIS CLOTHES. A visible sign of intense anguish and pain. WHERE SHALL I GO? Reuben’s grief might not be about the loss of Joseph but about how upset his father will be with Reuben when he learns that Joseph is gone (see note on vv. 21–22). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = docume... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 37:34 PUT SACKCLOTH ON HIS LOINS. A common mourning custom. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 37:35 I SHALL GO DOWN TO SHEOL. Jacob believes that his grief will continue through the afterlife. “Sheol” is the proper name for the place where people go after death, though specific knowledge about the afterlife was lacking at this time. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getEle... [ Continue Reading ]