Genesis 37:7
Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The repeated use of "behold" (or "lo") emphasizes the sudden, striking nature of Joseph's vision, suggesting that this dream wasn't just a random thought but a divine "presentiment of something great" unfolding in his mind. It highlights how even in an agricultural setting, God was revealing a future of elevated status and authority for Joseph.
Joseph, feeling favored by his father Jacob, recounts a dream to his brothers where his own sheaf stands upright while theirs bow to it. This dream, the second in a series revealing God's future plans for Joseph, further fuels his brothers' intense hatred and envy, setting the stage for their conspiracy against him. Their resentment stems from Jacob's obvious favoritism towards Joseph, marked by a special coat, and now magnified by these prophetic dreams of Joseph's eventual dominion over them.
Joseph's dreams weren't just random nighttime wanderings. They were divine blueprints, revealing God's sovereign hand at work even amidst family strife.
Dreams, especially in biblical narrative, often serve as vehicles for God's revelation. Joseph's first dream, described in Genesis 37:7, presents a powerful symbol of his future preeminence.
Divine Ordination
The imagery of sheaves of grain in a field points to a time of harvest and abundance. Joseph's sheaf standing upright, and his brothers' sheaves bowing down, isn't just a boast; it's a divine declaration. It signifies that Joseph, by God's sovereign will, was destined for a position of leadership and provision over his brothers.
Purpose Beyond the Present
This dream wasn't about Joseph's personal ambition. It was about God's unfolding plan to preserve his covenant family. The 'binding of sheaves' suggests a gathering and provision, and Joseph's elevated sheaf points to him being the instrument through whom God would provide for his family, especially during the coming famine. The dream, though unsettling to his brothers, was a prophetic glimpse into God's redemptive purposes.
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Joseph's dream, meant to reveal God's favor, instead ignited a firestorm of envy and hatred in his brothers. Why does divine blessing so often provoke human hostility?
The immediate reaction of Joseph's brothers to his dream in Genesis 37:7-8 is crucial. Instead of recognizing God's hand or Joseph's unique calling, they fixated on the implications for their own status and pride.
Pride vs. Humility
The dream directly challenged their sense of superiority. Their question, 'Shalt thou indeed reign over us?' reveals their insecurity and their unwillingness to accept a subordinate role. The biblical narrative consistently shows that pride is a major obstacle to accepting God's will and recognizing His chosen instruments.
The Corrosive Nature of Envy
This envy wasn't just a fleeting emotion; it festered and grew. The text states, 'they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.' This highlights how envy distorts perception, turning a divine revelation into a personal offense. It blinded them to the potential blessings of God's plan and fueled their desire to eliminate the source of their discomfort, setting in motion the tragic events that followed.
Understand the original words
alumah · Hebrew Noun
A bundle of grain, often used in biblical imagery to represent harvest, agricultural labor, or the collective life and productivity of God's people.
shachah · Hebrew Verb
To show reverence, submission, or honor, often by prostrating oneself; in a biblical context, it describes the appropriate posture of worship toward God or the acknowledgment of God-ordained authority.
This dream wasn't just a random nighttime vision; it was a divine announcement set against the backdrop of Jacob's family transitioning from nomadic life to settled agriculture in Canaan. The imagery of sheaves directly speaks to their livelihood and foreshadows the eventual famine and Joseph's pivotal role in saving his family.
c. 1898 BC— this verse
Jacob Settles in Canaan
Jacob and his family have settled in the land of Canaan, engaging in both pastoralism and agriculture, as indicated by the act of binding sheaves.
c. 1881 BC
Joseph's Dreams and Hatred
Joseph, at 17 years old, recounts two prophetic dreams to his brothers, revealing his future dominion over them and intensifying their hatred and envy.
c. 1881 BC
Brothers Sell Joseph
Driven by hatred, Joseph's brothers sell him into slavery to Ishmaelite and Midianite traders who are en route to Egypt.
c. 1881 BC
Joseph Arrives in Egypt
Joseph is sold in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, beginning his enslavement and subsequent rise.
c. 1875 BC
Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dream
After interpreting the dreams of two fellow prisoners, Joseph is summoned to interpret Pharaoh's dreams, foretelling seven years of plenty followed by seven years of severe famine.
c. 1868 BC
Famine Strikes Canaan
The prophesied famine reaches Canaan, forcing Jacob's sons to travel to Egypt to buy grain, a journey that leads to their reunion with Joseph.
c. 1867 BC
Brothers Bow Before Joseph
Joseph's ten older brothers appear before him in Egypt to buy food, fulfilling his dreams as they bow down to him, recognizing him only after he reveals himself.
This passage shows the literal fulfillment of Joseph's dream, as his brothers, facing famine, come to Egypt and bow down before him, just as his sheaf bowed to theirs.
Genesis 43:26This verse continues the theme of fulfillment, showing Joseph's brothers bringing gifts and bowing down to him, reinforcing the imagery from his dream.
Genesis 44:14Here, Joseph's brothers are again shown bowing down to him, underscoring the prophetic nature of his dream and the eventual submission of his family.
Matthew 2:11While different in context, the Magi bowing down to the infant Jesus, bringing gifts, echoes the theme of submission and honor to a divinely appointed figure, similar to Joseph's dream.
Philippians 2:10-11This passage speaks of Jesus being exalted and every knee bowing to Him, reflecting the ultimate fulfillment of divine authority and submission, a principle seen in Joseph's dream and its later realities.
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…
pooleGenesis 37:7: "For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf."
We were binding sheaves in the field; a secret insinuation of the occasion of Joseph’s advancement, which was from his counsel and care about the corn of Egypt. Your sheaves stood round about; this was a posture of ministry and service, as is manifest both from Scripture and from common usage.
The repeated use of "behold" (or "lo") emphasizes the sudden, striking nature of Joseph's vision, suggesting that this dream wasn't just a random thought but a divine "presentiment of something great" unfolding in his mind. It highlights how even in an agricultural setting, God was revealing a future of elevated status and authority for Joseph.
Joseph, feeling favored by his father Jacob, recounts a dream to his brothers where his own sheaf stands upright while theirs bow to it. This dream, the second in a series revealing God's future plans for Joseph, further fuels his brothers' intense hatred and envy, setting the stage for their conspiracy against him. Their resentment stems from Jacob's obvious favoritism towards Joseph, marked by a special coat, and now magnified by these prophetic dreams of Joseph's eventual dominion over them.
Joseph, feeling favored by his father Jacob, recounts a dream to his brothers where his own sheaf stands upright while theirs bow to it. This dream, the second in a series revealing God's future plans for Joseph, further fuels his brothers' intense hatred and envy, setting the stage for their conspiracy against him. Their resentment stems from Jacob's obvious favoritism towards Joseph, marked by a special coat, and now magnified by these prophetic dreams of Joseph's eventual dominion over them.
"Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.”" — The repeated use of "behold" (or "lo") emphasizes the sudden, striking nature of Joseph's vision, suggesting that this dream wasn't just a random thought but a divine "presentiment of something great…
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