Bible Commentaries

The whole chapter, Figure of speech Hysterologia. App-6. The last of the eleven Toledoth

Jacob. See notes on Genesis 32:28; Genesis 43:8; Genesis 45:26, Genesis 45:28.

Wherein = of his father"s sojournings. S Bilhah. i.e. Dan and Naphtali, Genesis 30:6-8.

Zilpah. i.e. Gad and Asher, Genesis 30:10-13.

his. Hebrew their.

coat: with long sleeves, worn only by the chief and his heir. This the first cause of brothers" enmity. See note on Genesis 27:15 with Genesis 25:31.

colours. Not "pieces". Marking it as priestly or royal. Exodus 28:4, Exodus 28:39; Exodus 39:1. 2 Samuel 13:18, 2 Samuel 13:19. Psalms 45:14.

brethren. Hebrew sons.

dreamed a dream. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6. For emphasis = had a significant dream.

in the field = in the midst of the field.

stood upright. Hebrew took its stand, or was set upright.

shalt thou, &c. Figure of speech Erotesis. Compare the rejection of Moses, Exodus 2:14; and of Christ, Luke 19:14.

eleven stars = the eleven signs of the Zodiac, Joseph being the twelfth. See note on Numbers 2:2.

made obeisance. Compare Genesis 42:6; Genesis 43:26; Genesis 44:14.

their father's flock. One of the fifteen expressions with the extraordinary points (see App-31), indicating a doubtful reading, and suggesting that they had gone to feed themselves and make merry.

the flock. With the omission in Genesis 37:12 these words are unnecessary.

Shechem. Was Jacob afraid after Genesis 34:25-30?

Dothan. On the high road to Egypt for caravans from the East.

conspired. Compare Matthew 27:1.

dreamer. Hebrew master (or lord, Baal) of dreams.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6), emphasizing the deliberateness of their actions.

him = his soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

that he might rid him, &c. Figure of speech Parenthesis, by way of explanation.

his coat. See on Genesis 37:3.

sat down. Showing their indifference. Compare Genesis 42:21 and Matthew 27:36.

company = caravan. There was a wellorganized trade in sixteenth dynasty.

Ishmeelites., Song of Solomon 39:1. In Genesis 37:28 and Genesis 37:36 called Midianites. Ishmael was the son of Abraham by Hagar (Genesis 16:11, Genesis 16:12); Midian the son of Abraham by Keturah (Genesis 25:2). See Judges 8:24, Judges 8:25, where they were mixed together, and were distinguished only by their noserings. (Compare Genesis 24:47; Genesis 35:4. Exodus 32:2, &c.)

sell him. A Judas sold Joseph, and a Judas sold Christ. Slaves were in great demand in Egypt.

were content = hearkened.

Midianites. See note on Genesis 37:25.

they, i.e. Joseph's brethren.

twenty. The number of disappointed expectancy. See App-10.

whither. Figure of speech Erotesis.

go = go in, as though to hide himself

killed. Heb, shahath. See App-42.

And. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6), in verses: Genesis 37:33, Genesis 37:34, to emphasize the successive steps in Jacob's grief.

without doubt. Figure of speech Polyptoton, "tearing he has been torn". Deceived by the blood of a kid, as he had deceived his father with the skin of a kid, Genesis 27:16.

all his daughters. See on Genesis 30:21, or it may be Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6, put for all his female relatives and granddaughters.

grave. Hebrew. Sheol, first occurance of word. See App-35.

Potiphar = consecrated to Ra: one of the gods of lower Egypt.

captain of the guard. Compare 2 Kings 25:8, 2 Kings 25:11, 2 Kings 25:20 had charge of police, as well as military duties. The whole Chapter is the Figure of speech Parecbasis (App-6).