Genesis 37:18-20
They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights the chilling speed of their malice: "before he came near to them they conspired against him." This wasn't a spontaneous eruption of anger, but a pre-meditated plot born the moment they spotted him, revealing the deep-seated hatred that had festered within them.
Joseph's brothers, consumed by jealousy over their father's favoritism and Joseph's prophetic dreams, spot him approaching from a distance. Before he can even reach them, they hatch a deadly plan to kill him, seeing him as a threat to their own status and future. This immediate plotting sets the stage for their cruel actions, including selling him into slavery rather than outright murder.
It's easy to see Joseph's dreams as the problem, but what truly fueled the fire? Unpacking the jealousy that festered in his brothers' hearts.
Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph, expressed through a special coat and his obvious affection, created a breeding ground for intense jealousy among his other sons. This wasn't just sibling rivalry; it was a deep-seated resentment fueled by a sense of being overlooked and unloved in comparison.
Seeing Joseph approach, the brothers' immediate thought wasn't reconciliation, but a chilling plot. Explore the escalating depravity of their actions.
The moment Joseph comes into view, the brothers' intent solidifies into a murderous conspiracy. This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment outburst, but a premeditated plan fueled by their hatred.
Understand the original words
nakal · Hebrew Verb
The act of plotting or making a secret agreement, usually with malicious intent. It involves collective malicious action against another person or divine authority.
ba'al chalomot · Hebrew Noun phrase
A person who receives divine communications via visions or prophetic revelations during sleep. In a biblical context, it often refers to one who claims special insight or destiny, sometimes inciting envy or skepticism in others.
bowr · Hebrew Noun
A hollow place or underground cistern used for storing water or, metaphorically, a grave or place of imprisonment. It signifies danger, abandonment, and hopelessness in biblical narratives.
chayyah ra'ah · Hebrew Noun phrase
This verse is set in the context of Joseph's family life in Canaan, a time of pastoral prosperity but also deep sibling rivalry fueled by favoritism and dreams of future greatness.
c. 1800 BC
Jacob settles in Canaan
Jacob, his twelve sons, and their families settle in the land of Canaan, living a semi-nomadic life as shepherds.
c. 1750 BC
Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph
Jacob shows strong favoritism to Joseph, his son by Rachel and born in his old age, giving him a special robe and favoring him over his other sons.
c. 1750 BC
Joseph's dreams
Joseph recounts two dreams to his brothers, one where his sheaf stands above theirs and another where the sun, moon, and eleven stars bow to him, fueling their hatred and envy.
c. 1750 BC
Joseph sent to Shechem
Jacob sends Joseph from Hebron to Shechem to check on his brothers and their flocks, a journey of about 50 miles north.
c. 1750 BC
This Psalm recounts God's faithfulness to Israel and directly mentions the selling of Joseph into slavery, echoing the events of Genesis 37 and highlighting God's sovereign hand even in this betrayal.
Acts 7:9Stephen's speech in Acts recounts the story of Joseph and his brothers, framing their envy and hatred as a precursor to the rejection of Jesus by His own people.
Proverbs 10:12This verse states that 'hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses,' directly reflecting the escalating hatred of Joseph's brothers and its violent consequences.
Matthew 2:16Herod's attempt to kill the infant Jesus mirrors the murderous intent of Joseph's brothers, showing a recurring pattern of powerful figures seeking to eliminate perceived threats to their authority.
calvinGenesis 37:1-36: "And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan."
These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
Istae sunt generationes Iahacob. Joseph filius septendecim annorum pascebat cum fratribus suis pecudes, et erat puer cum filiis Bil…
cambridgeGenesis 37:18: "And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him."
18–36 (JE). Joseph is sold into Egypt The composite character of the narrative becomes at this point very evident. J ( Genesis 37:21; Genesis 37:25-28 b, 31–35) relates that Judah restrains his brethren from murder, and persuades them to sell Joseph to passing Ishmaelites, who sell him as a slave to an Egyptian noble. E ( Genesis 37:22-25 ( bread ), 28a ( pit ), 28c–30, 3…
The verse highlights the chilling speed of their malice: "before he came near to them they conspired against him." This wasn't a spontaneous eruption of anger, but a pre-meditated plot born the moment they spotted him, revealing the deep-seated hatred that had festered within them.
Joseph's brothers, consumed by jealousy over their father's favoritism and Joseph's prophetic dreams, spot him approaching from a distance. Before he can even reach them, they hatch a deadly plan to kill him, seeing him as a threat to their own status and future. This immediate plotting sets the stage for their cruel actions, including selling him into slavery rather than outright murder.
Joseph's brothers, consumed by jealousy over their father's favoritism and Joseph's prophetic dreams, spot him approaching from a distance. Before he can even reach them, they hatch a deadly plan to kill him, seeing him as a threat to their own status and future. This immediate plotting sets the stage for their cruel actions, including selling him into slavery rather than outright murder.
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Wild or savage beasts that roam outside of human civilization. They are often used symbolically to represent chaotic, destructive forces or judgment from God.
chalowm · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the divine messages or visions given by God to reveal His will or future purposes. They are often symbolic and require interpretation by those gifted by the Holy Spirit.
Joseph finds his brothers at Dothan
A man directs Joseph to Dothan, about 15 miles north of Shechem, where he finds his brothers and their flocks.
c. 1750 BC
Joseph sold into slavery
After plotting to kill Joseph, his brothers sell him to Ishmaelite traders for twenty pieces of silver. They then sell him again in Egypt to Potiphar.
"They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierc…" — The verse highlights the chilling speed of their malice: "before he came near to them they conspired against him." This wasn't a spontaneous eruption of anger, but a pre-meditated plot born the momen…
