Thematic Bible

Themes in Genesis 37

HCSB

Themes in Genesis 37

Genesis 37:1 (show verse)

Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.

Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
jacob » Lives in the land of canaan

These are the family records of Jacob.

At 17 years of age, Joseph tended sheep with his brothers. The young man was working with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought a bad report about them to their father.

Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Bilhah » Rachael's servant » Bears children by jacob
Concubinage » Laws concerning » Called wives
Talebearer » Instances of » Joseph
Zilpah » Mother of gad and asher by jacob

Genesis 37:3 (show verse)

Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because Joseph was a son born to him in his old age, and he made a robe of many colors for him.

Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Children » Parents, duty to » Partiality toward
Children » Partiality of parents among » Jacob for joseph
Clothing » Coats
Dress » Clothing » Coats
Favoritism » Instances of » Jacob for joseph
Garments » Colors of, mentioned » Different colors
Gifts » Parental gifts » expression of love » A beautiful garment
Home » Parental indulgence » Partiality of parents
Home » Parental indulgence » Parental pride
Home » parental love » Parental feelings and emotions » A beautiful garment
jacob » His partiality for his son, joseph, and the consequent jealousy of his other sons
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's favorite child
Parents » Examples of fathers' love » Partiality
Parents » Parental affection exemplified by » jacob
Parents » Prayers » Pride
Parents » Partiality of » Jacob for joseph
Parents » Parental gifts » expression of love » A beautiful garment
Partiality » Parents

Genesis 37:4 (show verse)

When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not bring themselves to speak peaceably to him.

Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Children » Partiality of parents among » Jacob for joseph
Envy » Instances of » Joseph's brethren, of joseph
Family » Trouble instances of » Joseph and his brethren
Favoritism » Instances of » Jacob for joseph
Hatred » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren
Hatred » Examples of » Joseph's brethren
Home » Family trouble » Instances of » Joseph and his brethren
jacob » His partiality for his son, joseph, and the consequent jealousy of his other sons
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Jealousy » Examples of human » Joseph's brethren
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's favorite child
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Man » Jealousy of » Joseph's brethren
Man's » Jealousy » Joseph's brethren
Parents » Parental affection exemplified by » jacob
Partiality » Its effect on other children
Sin » Its progressiveness exemplified in joseph's brothers » 1. Jealousy
Trouble » Business family » Joseph and his brethren

Genesis 37:5 (show verse)

Then Joseph had a dream. When he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more.

Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Dream » Instances of » Of joseph, concerning the sheaves
Dreams » Mentioned in scripture, of » Joseph
Envy » Instances of » Joseph's brethren, of joseph
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Summary of his life » A youthful dreamer
Joseph » Son of jacob » His prophetic dreams of his fortunes in egypt

Genesis 37:6 (show verse)

He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had:

Genesis 37:7 (show verse)

There we were, binding sheaves of grain in the field. Suddenly my sheaf stood up, and your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.”

Agriculture » Operations in » Binding
Agriculture or husbandry » Operations in » Binding
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Bowing » In obeisance
Dream » Instances of » Of joseph, concerning the sheaves
Dreams » Mentioned in scripture, of » Joseph
Envy » Instances of » Joseph's brethren, of joseph
Harvest » Persons engaged in » Binders
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Summary of his life » A youthful dreamer
Joseph » Son of jacob » His prophetic dreams of his fortunes in egypt
Obeisance » Obeisance
Reaping » Corn after, was bound up into sheaves

Genesis 37:8 (show verse)

“Are you really going to reign over us?” his brothers asked him. “Are you really going to rule us?” So they hated him even more because of his dream and what he had said.

Genesis 37:9 (show verse)

Then he had another dream and told it to his brothers. “Look,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun, moon, and 11 stars were bowing down to me.”

Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Dream » Instances of » Of joseph, concerning the sheaves
Dreams » Mentioned in scripture, of » Joseph
Envy » Instances of » Joseph's brethren, of joseph
jacob » Joseph's prophetic dream concerning
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Summary of his life » A youthful dreamer
Joseph » Son of jacob » His prophetic dreams of his fortunes in egypt
Moon » Joseph's dream concerning
The sun » Illustrative » Of supreme rulers

Genesis 37:10 (show verse)

He told his father and brothers, but his father rebuked him. “What kind of dream is this that you have had?” he said. “Are your mother and brothers and I going to come and bow down to the ground before you?”

Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Dream » Instances of » Of joseph, concerning the sheaves
Envy » Instances of » Joseph's brethren, of joseph
jacob » Joseph's prophetic dream concerning
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His prophetic dreams of his fortunes in egypt
Salutations » By bowing

Genesis 37:11 (show verse)

His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Envy » Forbidden » Examples of
Envy » Instances of » Joseph's brethren, of joseph
Envy » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren
Home » Family » Hard to bear causes of » Envy
jacob » Joseph's prophetic dream concerning
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Joseph » Son of jacob » His prophetic dreams of his fortunes in egypt

Genesis 37:12 (show verse)

His brothers had gone to pasture their father’s flocks at Shechem.

Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Shechem » General references to
Shechem » Also called sichem and sychem, a district in the central part of the land of canaan » The flocks and herds of jacob kept in
or shechem Sychar » General references to

Genesis 37:13 (show verse)

Israel said to Joseph, “Your brothers, you know, are pasturing the flocks at Shechem. Get ready. I’m sending you to them.”

“I’m ready,” Joseph replied.

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Shechem » Also called sichem and sychem, a district in the central part of the land of canaan » The flocks and herds of jacob kept in

Genesis 37:14 (show verse)

Then Israel said to him, “Go and see how your brothers and the flocks are doing, and bring word back to me.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he went to Shechem.

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Care » Family » Solicitude
Children » Promises to special promises to children, examples of » Solicitude for
Family » Cares » Parental solicitude
Home » parental love » Parental feelings and emotions » Solicitude
Parents » Prayers » Solicitude
Shechem » Also called sichem and sychem, a district in the central part of the land of canaan » The flocks and herds of jacob kept in
Valleys » Mentioned in scripture » Hebron

Genesis 37:15 (show verse)

A man found him there, wandering in the field, and asked him, “What are you looking for?”

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat

Genesis 37:16 (show verse)

“I’m looking for my brothers,” Joseph said. “Can you tell me where they are pasturing their flocks?”

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat

Genesis 37:17 (show verse)

“They’ve moved on from here,” the man said. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan.

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Dothan » A district » A district

Genesis 37:18 (show verse)

They saw him in the distance, and before he had reached them, they plotted to kill him.

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Conspiracy » General examples of
Conspiracy » Instances of » Joseph's brother, against joseph
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Murder » The wicked » Devise
Plotting » General examples of
Sin » Its progressiveness exemplified in joseph's brothers » 2. Conspiracy

Genesis 37:19 (show verse)

They said to one another, “Here comes that dreamer!

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Conspiracy » Instances of » Joseph's brother, against joseph
Envy » Instances of » Joseph's brethren, of joseph
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Malice » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren
Reviling and reproaching » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren

Genesis 37:20 (show verse)

Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal ate him. Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!”

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Conspiracy » Instances of » Joseph's brother, against joseph
Envy » Instances of » Joseph's brethren, of joseph
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Malice » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren
Murder » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren
Sin » Its progressiveness exemplified in joseph's brothers » 3. Murder

Genesis 37:21 (show verse)

When Reuben heard this, he tried to save him from them. He said, “Let’s not take his life.”

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Brother » Reuben's love for joseph
intercession » Christ's intercession with the father for mankind » Examples of man's with his fellow-men
intercession » Instances of » Reuben for joseph
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Prayer » Intercessory Christ's intercession with the father for mankind » Examples of man's with his fellow-men
Reuben » Adroitly seeks to save joseph from the conspiracy of his brothers

Genesis 37:22 (show verse)

Reuben also said to them, “Don’t shed blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him”—intending to rescue him from their hands and return him to his father.

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Brother » Reuben's love for joseph
intercession » Instances of » Reuben for joseph
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Murder » Saints » Should warn others against
Reuben » Adroitly seeks to save joseph from the conspiracy of his brothers

Genesis 37:23 (show verse)

When Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped off his robe, the robe of many colors that he had on.

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Reuben » Adroitly seeks to save joseph from the conspiracy of his brothers

Genesis 37:24 (show verse)

Then they took him and threw him into the pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Cruelty » Examples of
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Reuben » Adroitly seeks to save joseph from the conspiracy of his brothers

Genesis 37:25 (show verse)

Then they sat down to eat a meal. They looked up, and there was a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying aromatic gum, balsam, and resin, going down to Egypt.

Balm » A medicinal balsam
Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Business life » Miscellaneous topics relating to » Merchants
Camel » Uses of » For carrying burdens
Camels » Used for » Carrying burdens
Commerce » Carried on by means of caravans
Commerce » Carried on by » Ishmaelites
Commerce » Articles of » Balm
Egypt » Exports of
Egypt » Imports of
Exports » From gilead » Of spices
Gilead » Exported spices » Balm » myrrh
Imports » Of egypt » Spices
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
The ishmaelites » Were the merchants of the east
The ishmaelites » Travelled in large companies or caravans
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Midianites » Called ishmaelites
myrrh » Traffic in
Reuben » Adroitly seeks to save joseph from the conspiracy of his brothers
Spices » Exported from gilead
Travelers » Often collected together and formed caravans

Genesis 37:26 (show verse)

Then Judah said to his brothers, “What do we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
intercession » Christ's intercession with the father for mankind » Examples of man's with his fellow-men
intercession » Instances of » Judah for joseph
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Judah » Son of jacob
Judah » Son of jacob » Intercedes for joseph's life when his brothers were about to kill him, and proposes that they sell him to the ishmaelites
Prayer » Intercessory Christ's intercession with the father for mankind » Examples of man's with his fellow-men
Reuben » Adroitly seeks to save joseph from the conspiracy of his brothers
Servant » Instances of » Joseph
Worldliness » Instances of » Judah

Genesis 37:27 (show verse)

Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh,” and they agreed.

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Commerce » Carried on by means of caravans
Commerce » Ishmaelites
intercession » Instances of » Judah for joseph
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Joseph » Son of jacob » Sold as a slave into egypt
Judah » Son of jacob » Intercedes for joseph's life when his brothers were about to kill him, and proposes that they sell him to the ishmaelites
Reuben » Adroitly seeks to save joseph from the conspiracy of his brothers
Servant » Instances of » Joseph
Worldliness » Instances of » Judah

Genesis 37:28 (show verse)

When Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for 20 pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took Joseph to Egypt.

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Commerce » Persons engaged in, called » Merchants
Commerce » Articles of » Slaves
Commerce » Ishmaelites
Egypt » History of israel in » Joseph sold into
Ishmaelites » Called midianites
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
jacob » Summary of his character » Disciplined by affliction
Jealousy » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's partiality for, excites the jealousy of his brethren
Joseph » Son of jacob » Sold as a slave into egypt
Men » Traffic in
Midianites » Engaged in commerce
Midianites » Called ishmaelites
Midianites » Buy joseph and sell him to potiphar
Midianites » Were merchantmen
Money » Was given » For slaves
Reuben » Adroitly seeks to save joseph from the conspiracy of his brothers
Servant » Bond » Bought and sold
Servant » Instances of » Joseph
Silver » Used as money from the earliest age

Genesis 37:29 (show verse)

When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes.

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Deception » Instances of » In representing to their father that joseph had been destroyed by wild beasts
Falsehood » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, in deceiving their father into a belief that joseph was killed by wild beasts
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » Is falsely reported to his father as killed by wild beasts
Reuben » Adroitly seeks to save joseph from the conspiracy of his brothers

Genesis 37:30 (show verse)

He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy is gone! What am I going to do?”

Genesis 37:31 (show verse)

So they took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood.

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Deceit » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren
Deception » Instances of » In representing to their father that joseph had been destroyed by wild beasts
Falsehood » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, in deceiving their father into a belief that joseph was killed by wild beasts
Goat » The young of » Called kids
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » Is falsely reported to his father as killed by wild beasts
Lying » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren

Genesis 37:32 (show verse)

They sent the robe of many colors to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it. Is it your son’s robe or not?”

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
Deceit » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren
Deception » Instances of » In representing to their father that joseph had been destroyed by wild beasts
Falsehood » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, in deceiving their father into a belief that joseph was killed by wild beasts
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » Is falsely reported to his father as killed by wild beasts
Lying » Exemplified » Joseph's brethren

Genesis 37:33 (show verse)

His father recognized it. “It is my son’s robe,” he said. “A vicious animal has devoured him. Joseph has been torn to pieces!”

Genesis 37:34 (show verse)

Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days.

Bereavement » Instances of » Jacob, of joseph
Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Bible stories for children » The beautiful coat
The Dead » Mourning for, often » Lasted many days
The Dead » Mourning for, often » Testified by rending the garments
Deception » Instances of » In representing to their father that joseph had been destroyed by wild beasts
Falsehood » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, in deceiving their father into a belief that joseph was killed by wild beasts
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
jacob » His grief over the loss of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » Is falsely reported to his father as killed by wild beasts
Sackcloth » Was worn » Girt about the loins
Sackcloth » Worn » By jacob
Sorrow » From bereavement » Of jacob for joseph

Genesis 37:35 (show verse)

All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” And his father wept for him.

Bereavement » Instances of » Jacob, of joseph
Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Children » Grief occasioned by loss of
The Dead » Mourning for » Examples of grief
Deception » Instances of » In representing to their father that joseph had been destroyed by wild beasts
Falsehood » Instances of » Joseph's brothers, in deceiving their father into a belief that joseph was killed by wild beasts
Family » Examples of fathers' love » jacob
Fathers » Examples of fathers' love » jacob
Home » Examples of fathers' love » jacob
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
jacob » His grief over the loss of joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » His father's favorite child
Joseph » Son of jacob » Is falsely reported to his father as killed by wild beasts
Love » Examples of fathers' love » jacob
Love » Paternal » jacob
Love » Fathers » jacob
Mourning » Examples of grief
Parents » Examples of fathers' love » jacob
Paternal love » Examples of fathers' love » jacob
Sorrow » From bereavement » Of jacob for joseph
Weeping » Instances of » Of jacob

Genesis 37:36 (show verse)

Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard.

Bible stories for children » The boy captive who became prime minister
Captain » Of the guard
Commerce » Articles of » Slaves
Egypt » Exports of
Egypt » Imports of
Egyptians » Slaves bought by
Ishmaelites » Called midianites
Ishmaelites » Merchants of, buy joseph
Joseph » Son of jacob » Is bought by potiphar, an officer (lxx has "eunuch") of pharaoh
Midianites » Engaged in commerce
Midianites » Buy joseph and sell him to potiphar
Potiphar » Joseph's master
Servant » Bond » Bought and sold
Servant » Instances of » Joseph
Servants » Slaves or bond » By purchase