_A.M. 2275. B.C. 1729._ At this chapter begins the story of Joseph, Jacob's eldest son by his beloved wife Rachel. We have, ( 1,) _ The malice his brethren bore against him: they hated him, 1, Because he informed his father of their wickedness, Genesis 37:1; Genesis 37:2, Because his father loved... [ Continue Reading ]
_These are the generations of Jacob_ The events or occurrences which happened to Jacob in his family and issue; as the word is used, chap. Genesis 6:9, and Numbers 3:1. The genealogy of Esau, which was brought in by way of parenthesis, being finished, Moses returns to the family of Jacob, and procee... [ Continue Reading ]
_The son of his old age_ Born when Jacob was ninety-one years old. Such children are commonly best beloved of their parents. Several of the ancient translations, _Chaldee, Persian, Arabic_, and _Samaritan_, render the words a _wise or prudent son, old age_ being an emblem of prudence; one born old,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Joseph dreamed a dream_ Which it is probable he did not understand at first, and therefore, in great simplicity, told it to his brethren; for, had he understood it, he certainly would not have mentioned it to them, for he could not but know they were likely to make an evil construction and use of i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field_ This was a secret intimation of the occasion of Joseph's advancement, which was from his counsel and care about the corn in Egypt. _Your sheaves stood round about _ A posture this of ministry and service; _and made obeisance to my sheaf_ How wonderfully... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shalt thou indeed reign over us?_ See here, 1st, How truly they interpreted his dream! The event exactly answered this interpretation, Genesis 42:6, &c. 2d, How scornfully they resented it, _Shalt thou_, that art but one, _reign over us_, that are many? Thou that art the youngest, over us that are... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yet another dream_ The repetition of the same thing in another shape, might have taught them that it was both certain and very observable. _Behold the sun and the moon His father and mother_, here signified by the sun and moon, were not represented in the first dream, because, in the event, his bre... [ Continue Reading ]
_He told it to his father_ The dream was so strongly impressed upon his mind, and that, no doubt, by the Spirit of God, that he could not rest till he had acquainted his father with it. _His father rebuked him_ Not through anger or contempt of his dream, for it follows, _he observed it;_ but partly... [ Continue Reading ]
_But his father observed the saying_ The words of Joseph, or the dream which he told, well knowing that God did frequently reveal his will, or foretel future events by dreams, and perceiving something singular and extraordinary in this dream, and especially in its being doubled.... [ Continue Reading ]
_To feed in Shechem_ In the parts adjoining to Shechem, probably in the lands Jacob had purchased there. After the cruel and barbarous massacre which Jacob's sons had been guilty of toward the Shechemites, it is a wonder they should venture to seek pasture for their flocks in that neighbourhood; but... [ Continue Reading ]
_When they saw him they conspired against him_ It was not in a heat, or upon a sudden provocation, that they thought to slay him, but from malice prepense, and in cold blood. _Behold this dreamer cometh _ Hebrew, _this master of dreams;_ that covers his own ambitious desires and designs, with preten... [ Continue Reading ]
_Reuben heard it_ God can raise up friends for his people, even among their enemies. Reuben, of all the brothers, had most reason to be jealous of Joseph; for he was the firstborn, and so entitled to those distinguishing favours which Jacob was conferring on Joseph; yet he proves his best friend. Re... [ Continue Reading ]
_They cast him into a pit_ To perish there with hunger and cold; so cruel were their tender mercies. _They sat down to eat bread_ They felt no remorse of conscience, which, if they had, would have spoiled their stomachs to their meat. A great force put upon conscience commonly stupifies it, and for... [ Continue Reading ]
_What profit is it if we slay our brother?_ It will be less guilt and more gain to sell him. They all agreed to this. And as Joseph was sold by the contrivance of Judah for twenty pieces of silver, so was our Lord Jesus for thirty, and by one of the same name too, Judas. Reuben, it seems, was gone a... [ Continue Reading ]
_They took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid_ It is difficult to say here whether their falsehood or their cruelly to their father be the more to be execrated!... [ Continue Reading ]
_All his sons and all his daughters_ Namely, Dinah and his daughters-in-law, for several of his sons were married; _rose up to comfort him_ In this his excess of sorrow to which he had imprudently and sinfully abandoned himself. _He refused to be comforted_ Resolving to go down to, the grave mournin... [ Continue Reading ]