Thematic Bible

Themes in Genesis 37

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Themes in Genesis 37

Genesis 37:1 (show verse)

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

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jacob » Lives in the land of canaan

This is the account of Jacob. Joseph, his seventeen-year-old son, was taking care of the flocks with his brothers. Now he was a youngster working with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. Joseph brought back a bad report about them to their father.

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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 all his sons because he was a son born to him late in life, and he made a special tunic 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 Joseph's brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated Joseph and were not able to speak to him kindly.

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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)

Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him even more.

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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 middle of the field. Suddenly my sheaf rose up and stood upright and your sheaves surrounded my sheaf and bowed down to it!"

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)

Then his brothers asked him, "Do you really think you will rule over us or have dominion over us?" They hated him even more because of his dream and because of what he said.

Genesis 37:9 (show verse)

Then he had another dream, and told it to his brothers. "Look," he said. "I had another dream. The sun, the moon, and eleven 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)

When he told his father and his brothers, his father rebuked him, saying, "What is this dream that you had? Will I, your mother, and your brothers really come and bow down to you?"

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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 in mind what Joseph said.

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)

When his brothers had gone to graze their father's flocks near Shechem,

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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 are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I will send you to them." "I'm ready," Joseph replied.

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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)

So Jacob said to him, "Go now and check on the welfare of your brothers and of the flocks, and bring me word." So Jacob sent him from the valley of Hebron.

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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)

When Joseph reached Shechem, a man found him wandering in the field, so the man asked him, "What are you looking for?"

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Genesis 37:16 (show verse)

He replied, "I'm looking for my brothers. Please tell me where they are grazing their flocks."

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Genesis 37:17 (show verse)

The man said, "They left this area, for I heard them say, 'Let's go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.

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Dothan » A district » A district

Genesis 37:18 (show verse)

Now Joseph's brothers saw him from a distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.

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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 this master of dreams!

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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 now, let's kill him, throw him into one of the cisterns, and then say that a wild animal ate him. Then we'll see how his dreams turn out!"

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 rescued Joseph from their hands, saying, "Let's not take his life!"

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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 continued, "Don't shed blood! Throw him into this cistern that is here in the wilderness, but don't lay a hand on him." (Reuben said this so he could rescue Joseph from them and take him back 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 reached his brothers, they stripped him of his tunic, the special tunic that he wore.

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 cistern. (Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.)

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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)

When they sat down to eat their food, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh 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 profit is there 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, but let's not lay a hand on him, for after all, he is our brother, our own flesh." His brothers 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)

So when the Midianite merchants passed by, Joseph's brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. The Ishmaelites then 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)

Later Reuben returned to the cistern to find that Joseph was not in it! He tore his clothes,

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

returned to his brothers, and said, "The boy isn't there! And I, where can I go?"

Genesis 37:31 (show verse)

So they took Joseph's tunic, killed a young goat, and dipped the tunic in the blood.

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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)

Then they brought the special tunic to their father and said, "We found this. Determine now whether it is your son's tunic 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)

He recognized it and exclaimed, "It is my son's tunic! A wild animal has eaten him! Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!"

Genesis 37:34 (show verse)

Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, 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 stood by him to console him, but he refused to be consoled. "No," he said, "I will go to the grave mourning my son." So Joseph's 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)

Now in Egypt the Midianites sold Joseph to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, 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