Genesis 37
Amplified Bible
Joseph’s Dream
37 So Jacob (Israel) lived in the land [a]where his father [Isaac] had been a stranger (sojourner, resident alien), in the land of Canaan. 2 These are the generations of Jacob.
Joseph, when he was seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers [Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher]; the boy was with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s [[b]secondary] wives; and Joseph brought back a bad report about them to their father. 3 Now Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a [distinctive] [c]multicolored tunic. 4 His brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than all of his brothers; so they hated him and could not [find it within themselves to] speak to him on friendly terms.
5 Now Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brothers, and they [d]hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Please listen to [the details of] this dream which I have dreamed; 7 we [brothers] were binding sheaves [of grain stalks] in the field, and lo, my sheaf [suddenly] got up and stood upright and remained standing; and behold, your sheaves stood all around my sheaf and bowed down [in respect].” 8 His brothers said to him, “Are you actually going to reign over us? Are you really going to rule and govern us as your subjects?” So they hated him even more for [telling them about] his dreams and for his [arrogant] words.
9 But Joseph dreamed still another dream, and told it to his brothers [as well]. He said, “See here, I have again dreamed a dream, and lo, [this time I saw] eleven stars and the sun and the moon bowed down [in respect] to me!” 10 He told it to his father as well as to his brothers; but his father rebuked him and said to him [in disbelief], “What is [the meaning of] this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers actually come to bow down to the ground [in respect] before you?” 11 Joseph’s brothers were envious and jealous of him, but his father kept the words [of Joseph] in mind [wondering about their meaning].
12 Then his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. 13 Israel (Jacob) said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing [the flock] at Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” And he said, “Here I am [ready to obey you].” 14 Then Jacob said to him, “Please go and see whether everything is all right with your brothers and all right with the flock; then bring word [back] to me.” So he sent him from the Hebron Valley, and he went to Shechem.
15 Now a certain man found Joseph, and saw that he was wandering around and had lost his way in the field; so the man asked him, “What are you looking for?” 16 He said, “I am looking for my brothers. Please tell me where they are pasturing our flocks.” 17 Then the man said, “[They were here, but] they have moved on from this place. I heard them say, ‘Let us go to [e]Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.
The Plot against Joseph
18 And when they saw him from a distance, even before he came close to them, they plotted to kill him. 19 They said to one another, “Look, here comes this [f]dreamer. 20 Now then, come and let us kill him and throw him into one of the [g]pits (cisterns, underground water storage); then we will say [to our father], ‘A wild animal killed and devoured him’; and we shall see what will become of his dreams!” 21 Now Reuben [the eldest] heard this and rescued him from their hands and said, “Let us not take his life.” 22 Reuben said to them, “Do not shed his blood, but [instead] throw him [alive] into the pit that is here in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him [to kill him]”—[he said this so] that he could rescue him from them and return him [safely] to his father. 23 Now when Joseph reached his brothers, they stripped him of his tunic, the [distinctive] [h]multicolored tunic which he was wearing; 24 then they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty; there was no water in it.
25 Then they sat down to eat their meal. When they looked up, they saw a caravan of [i]Ishmaelites coming from Gilead [east of the Jordan], with their camels bearing ladanum resin [for perfume] and balm and [j]myrrh, going on their way to carry the cargo down to Egypt. 26 Judah said to his brothers, “What do we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood (murder)? 27 Come, let us [instead] sell him to these Ishmaelites [and [k]Midianites] and not lay our hands on him, because he is our brother and our flesh.” So his brothers listened to him and agreed.(A) 28 Then as the [l]Midianite [and Ishmaelite] traders were passing by, the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and they sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And so they took Joseph [as a captive] into Egypt.
29 Now Reuben [unaware of what had happened] returned to the pit, and [to his great alarm found that] Joseph was not in the pit; so he tore his clothes [in deep sorrow]. 30 He rejoined his brothers and said, “The boy is not there; as for me, where shall I go [to hide from my father]?” 31 Then they took Joseph’s tunic, slaughtered a male goat and dipped the tunic in the blood; 32 and they brought the multicolored tunic to their father, saying, “We have found this; please examine it and decide whether or not it is your son’s tunic.” 33 He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s tunic. A wild animal has devoured him; Joseph is without doubt torn in pieces!” 34 So Jacob tore his clothes [in grief], put [m]on sackcloth and mourned many days for his son. 35 Then all his sons and daughters attempted to console him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “I will go down to Sheol (the place of the dead) in mourning for my son.” And his father wept for him. 36 Meanwhile, in Egypt the Midianites sold Joseph [as a slave] to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and the captain of the [royal] guard.
Footnotes
- Genesis 37:1 Lit of his father’s sojournings.
- Genesis 37:2 I.e. concubines (see note 22:24).
- Genesis 37:3 The meaning of this word is uncertain; some sources indicate that it refers to a long-sleeved tunic that reaches the ankles, essentially a light robe. In any case, the tunic was a visible reminder to Joseph’s brothers of their father’s favoritism toward him.
- Genesis 37:5 In both vv 5 and 8 “hated him even more” is properly translated, but there is an interesting play on words. The literal Hebrew says, “they added to hate”—the Hebrew word for “added” is the same for the word for Joseph—“they ‘Josephed’ their hate for him.”
- Genesis 37:17 Located about twelve miles north of Shechem.
- Genesis 37:19 Lit master of dreams.
- Genesis 37:20 These were earthen tanks that were dug or carved into rocky ground (perhaps limestone), designed to collect rainwater in the desert during winters. Some were cavernous, with a staircase carved into one of the walls for access to the bottom. The cistern selected by Joseph’s brothers must have been deep enough to make escape very difficult for someone of his size, but constructed without a staircase or other means of access (other than a rope).
- Genesis 37:23 See note v 3.
- Genesis 37:25 Descendants of Abraham and Hagar (Sarah’s maid, 16:15).
- Genesis 37:25 A valuable tree resin.
- Genesis 37:27 Descendants of Abraham and Keturah, his concubine.
- Genesis 37:28 The relationship between the Midianites and the Ishmaelites as they are mentioned here is unclear. It is possible, as some have suggested, that “Ishmaelites” came to be used as a general term for desert tribes, and that the same merchants are called by both names in this verse. This would also explain the reference to the “Midianites” in v 36. Another explanation, which was offered by the rabbis, is that Joseph was sold first to the Ishmaelites, who then sold him to the Midianites. Another possibility is that they were Ishmaelites from the area of Midian.
- Genesis 37:34 An uncomfortable material woven from goat hair and worn in mourning.
Genesis 37
New King James Version
Joseph Dreams of Greatness
37 Now Jacob dwelt in the land (A)where his father was a [a]stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2 This is the history of Jacob.
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought (B)a bad report of them to his father.
3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was (C)the son of his old age. Also he (D)made him a tunic of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they (E)hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.
5 Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. 6 So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: 7 (F)There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.”
8 And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.
9 Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, (G)the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.”
10 So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and (H)your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?” 11 And (I)his brothers envied him, but his father (J)kept the matter in mind.
Joseph Sold by His Brothers
12 Then his brothers went to feed their father’s flock in (K)Shechem. 13 And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.”
So he said to him, “Here I am.”
14 Then he said to him, “Please go and see if it is well with your brothers and well with the flocks, and bring back word to me.” So he sent him out of the Valley of (L)Hebron, and he went to Shechem.
15 Now a certain man found him, and there he was, wandering in the field. And the man asked him, saying, “What are you seeking?”
16 So he said, “I am seeking my brothers. (M)Please tell me where they are feeding their flocks.”
17 And the man said, “They have departed from here, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’ ” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them in (N)Dothan.
18 Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, (O)they conspired against him to kill him. 19 Then they said to one another, “Look, this [b]dreamer is coming! 20 (P)Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, ‘Some wild beast has devoured him.’ We shall see what will become of his dreams!”
21 But (Q)Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, and said, “Let us not kill him.” 22 And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him”—that he might deliver him out of their hands, and bring him back to his father.
23 So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they (R)stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. 24 Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it.
25 (S)And they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of (T)Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, (U)balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt. 26 So Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is there if we kill our brother and (V)conceal his blood? 27 Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and (W)let not our hand be upon him, for he is (X)our brother and (Y)our flesh.” And his brothers listened. 28 Then (Z)Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, (AA)and sold him to the Ishmaelites for (AB)twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.
29 Then Reuben returned to the pit, and indeed Joseph was not in the pit; and he (AC)tore his clothes. 30 And he returned to his brothers and said, “The lad (AD)is no more; and I, where shall I go?”
31 So they took (AE)Joseph’s tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. 32 Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, “We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son’s tunic or not?”
33 And he recognized it and said, “It is my son’s tunic. A (AF)wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.” 34 Then Jacob (AG)tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and (AH)mourned for his son many days. 35 And all his sons and all his daughters (AI)arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, “For (AJ)I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning.” Thus his father wept for him.
36 Now (AK)the [c]Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.
Footnotes
- Genesis 37:1 sojourner, temporary resident
- Genesis 37:19 Lit. master of dreams
- Genesis 37:36 MT Medanites
1 Moseboken 37
Svenska Folkbibeln 2015
37 (A) Men Jakob bosatte sig i Kanaans land, där hans far hade bott som främling.
X. JAKOBS FORTSATTA HISTORIA 37:2-50:26
Josef och hans bröder
2 Detta är Jakobs fortsatta historia. När Josef[a] var sjutton år[b] vallade han fåren tillsammans med sina bröder. Som ung hjälpte han sönerna till Bilha och Silpa, sin fars hustrur. Och Josef berättade för deras far allt ont som sades om dem.
3 Israel älskade Josef mer än alla sina andra söner, eftersom han hade fått honom på sin ålderdom. Han lät göra en hellång[c] dräkt åt honom. 4 (B) När hans bröder såg att deras far älskade honom mer än alla hans bröder, hatade de honom och kunde inte tala vänligt med honom.
Josefs drömmar
5 Josef hade en dröm som han berättade för sina bröder. Efter det hatade de honom ännu mer. 6 Han sade till dem: ”Hör vilken dröm jag har haft. 7 Vi var och band kärvar på åkern. Då reste sig min kärve upp och blev stående, och era kärvar ställde sig runt omkring och bugade sig för min kärve.” 8 Men hans bröder sade till honom: ”Ska du bli vår kung? Ska du härska över oss?” Och de hatade honom ännu mer på grund av hans drömmar och det som han sagt.
9 Sedan fick han en annan dröm som han berättade för sina bröder. ”Lyssna”, sade han, ”jag har haft en dröm till. Jag drömde att solen och månen och elva stjärnor bugade sig för mig.” 10 När han berättade detta för sin far och sina bröder, tillrättavisade hans far honom och sade: ”Vad är det för en dröm du har haft? Skulle jag och din mor och dina bröder komma och buga oss ner till jorden för dig?” 11 Bröderna blev avundsjuka på honom, men hans far lade det på minnet.
Josef blir såld till Egypten
12 Och hans bröder gick för att valla sin fars får i Shekem.[d] 13 Då sade Israel till Josef: ”Se, dina bröder vallar fåren i Shekem. Jag vill sända dig till dem.” Han svarade: ”Jag är redo.” 14 Israel sade till honom: ”Gå och se efter om allt är väl med dina bröder och med fåren. Kom sedan tillbaka till mig med besked.” Så sände han i väg honom från Hebrons dal, och han kom till Shekem.
15 Där mötte han en man medan han irrade omkring på fältet. Mannen frågade honom vad han sökte. 16 Han svarade: ”Jag letar efter mina bröder. Säg mig var de vallar sin hjord.” 17 Mannen svarade: ”De har gått härifrån. Jag hörde dem säga att de skulle gå till Dotan[e].” Då gick Josef vidare efter sina bröder och fann dem i Dotan.
18 Men när de såg honom på avstånd, innan han kommit fram till dem, började de prata om att döda honom. 19 De sade till varandra. ”Där kommer drömmaren. 20 Kom nu, så dödar vi honom och kastar honom i en brunn! Sedan kan vi säga att ett vilddjur åt upp honom. Så får vi se hur det går med hans drömmar!” 21 (C) Men när Ruben hörde det, ville han rädda honom från dem och sade: ”Vi kan inte slå ihjäl honom.” 22 Och han fortsatte: ”Spill inte blod! Kasta ner honom i brunnen här i öknen, men bär inte hand på honom!” Han ville nämligen rädda honom från dem och föra honom tillbaka till hans far.
23 När Josef kom fram till sina bröder, slet de av honom den hellånga dräkten som han hade på sig. 24 (D) Och de tog honom och kastade honom i brunnen. Den var tom,[f] det fanns inget vatten i den. 25 Sedan satte de sig ner för att äta.
Då fick de se en karavan[g] med ismaeliter som kom från Gilead. Deras kameler var lastade med dragantgummi, balsam och ladanum[h], och de var på väg ner till Egypten. 26 Då sade Juda till sina bröder: ”Vad vinner vi på att döda vår bror och dölja hans blod? 27 Kom, vi säljer honom till ismaeliterna! Vår hand ska inte komma vid honom, han är ju vår bror, vårt eget kött och blod.” Och bröderna lyssnade på honom. 28 (E) När de midjanitiska köpmännen kom förbi, drog de upp Josef ur brunnen. De sålde honom för tjugo siklar silver[i] till ismaeliterna[j], som förde Josef till Egypten.
29 (F) När Ruben kom tillbaka till brunnen, se, då fanns inte Josef där. Då rev han sönder sina kläder 30 och gick tillbaka till sina bröder och sade: ”Pojken är inte där! Vart ska jag nu ta vägen?”
31 Men de slaktade en bock och tog Josefs dräkt och doppade den i blodet. 32 Sedan skickade de hem den hellånga dräkten till sin far och lät säga: ”Den här har vi hittat. Se efter om det är din sons dräkt.” 33 (G) Och han kände igen den och sade: ”Det är min sons dräkt! Ett vilddjur har ätit upp honom. Josef är säkert ihjälriven.” 34 Och Jakob rev sönder sina kläder, svepte säcktyg[k] om sina höfter och sörjde sin son under lång tid. 35 Alla hans söner och döttrar kom för att trösta honom, men han ville inte låta sig tröstas utan sade: ”Jag ska med sorg fara ner i dödsriket till min son.” Så grät hans far över honom.
36 (H) Men midjaniterna[l] sålde Josef i Egypten till Potifar, som var hovman hos farao och befälhavare för livvakterna.
Footnotes
- 37:2 Josef Framhålls av Stefanus i Apg 7:9f som en parallell till Kristus: älskad och sänd av sin far men förkastad i avund av bröderna och såld till hedningarna, störtad i jordens djup men upphöjd till härskarens högra sida, därifrån välsignande både hedningar och sina bröder, etc.
- 37:2 När Josef var sjutton år Ca 1898 f Kr (jfr 41:46).
- 37:3 hellång Annan översättning (så Septuaginta): ”färggrann”. I samtida egyptiska gravmålningar (t ex vid Beni Hasan) framställs män från Kanaans land i långärmade, färggrant broderade dräkter.
- 37:12 valla … i Shekem I de svalare högländerna fanns bete även under den torra sommaren.
- 37:17 Dotan Stad drygt två mil norr om Shekem (2 Kung 6:13) med goda betesmarker omkring.
- 37:24 brunnen … tom Torra brunnar eller cisterner användes ofta som fånghålor (jfr Jer 38:6, Sak 9:11).
- 37:25 karavan Shekem och Dotan låg vid den stora karavanvägen mellan Egypten och Mesopotamien.
- 37:25 dragantgummi, balsam och ladanum Olika typer av väldoftande kådor.
- 37:28 tjugo siklar silver Drygt 200 gram, ungefär två årslöner för arbetaren (Dom 17:10). Detta var ett vanligt pris för en slav enligt t ex Hammurabis lag (jfr 3 Mos 27:5).
- 37:28 ismaeliterna Troligen en undergrupp eller ett alternativt namn för midjaniterna. De två benämningarna används om vartannat (jfr 37:36, 39:1, Dom 8:22, 24).
- 37:34 rev sönder sina kläder, svepte säcktyg Uttryck för djup sorg (jfr Est 4:1, Job 1:20).
- 37:36 midjaniterna Så Septuaginta. Masoretiska textens vokalisering: ”medaniterna” (släktingar till midjaniterna, jfr 1 Mos 25:2).
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Svenska Folkbibeln 2015, Copyright © 2015 by Svenska Folkbibeln Foundation