Genesis 37

Joseph's Dreams

1 Now Jacob dwelt in the land a where his father was a 1 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 2 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, a and sold him to the Ishmaelites for b 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 c tore his clothes. 30 And he returned to his brothers and said, "The lad d is no more; and I, where shall I go?" 31 So they took e 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 f wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces." 34 Then Jacob g tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and h mourned for his son many days. 35 And all his sons and all his daughters i arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, "For j I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning." Thus his father wept for him. 36 Now k the 3 Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.

  1. Cross References
    Genesis 17:8
    "Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God."
    Genesis 23:4
    "I am a foreigner and a visitor among you. Give me property for a burial place among you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight."
    Genesis 28:4
    And give you the blessing of Abraham, To you and your descendants with you, That you may inherit the land In which you are a stranger, Which God gave to Abraham.
    Genesis 36:7
    For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together, and the land where they were strangers could not support them because of their livestock.
    Hebrews 11:9
    By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.
  2. Cross References
    Genesis 35:25
    The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant, were Dan and Naphtali.
    Genesis 35:26
    And the sons of Zilpah, Leah's maidservant, were Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Padan Aram.
    1 Samuel 2:22 - 24
    Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
  3. Cross References
    Genesis 44:20
    "And we said to my lord, 'We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, who is young; his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him.'
  4. Cross References
    Genesis 37:23
    So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him.
    Genesis 37:32
    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?
    Judges 5:30
    'Are they not finding and dividing the spoil: To every man a girl or two; For Sisera, plunder of dyed garments, Plunder of garments embroidered and dyed, Two pieces of dyed embroidery for the neck of the looter?'
    1 Samuel 2:19
    Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
  5. Cross References
    Genesis 27:41
    So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, "The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.
    Genesis 49:23
    The archers have bitterly grieved him, Shot at him and hated him.
    1 Samuel 17:28
    Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger was aroused against David, and he said, "Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.
    John 15:18 - 20
    If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
  6. Cross References
    Genesis 42:6
    Now Joseph was governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth.
    Genesis 42:9
    Then Joseph remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them, and said to them, "You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land!
    Genesis 43:26
    And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the earth.
    Genesis 44:14
    So Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house, and he was still there; and they fell before him on the ground.
  7. Cross References
    Genesis 46:29
    So Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; and he presented himself to him, and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while.
    Genesis 47:25
    So they said, "You have saved our lives; let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants.
  8. Cross References
    Genesis 27:29
    Let peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren, And let your mother's sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, And blessed be those who bless you!
  9. Cross References
    Matthew 27:17
    Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?
    Matthew 27:18
    For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.
    Acts 7:9
    And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him
  10. Cross References
    Daniel 7:28
    "This is the end of the account. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I kept the matter in my heart."
    Luke 2:19
    But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
    Luke 2:51
    Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.
  11. Cross References
    Genesis 33:18 - 20
    Then Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram; and he pitched his tent before the city.
  12. Cross References
    Genesis 13:18
    Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt b...
    Genesis 23:2
    So Sarah died in Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron)...
    Genesis 23:19
    And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife i...
    Genesis 35:27
    Then Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre, o...
    Joshua 14:14
    Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Cale...
    Joshua 14:15
    And the name of Hebron formerly was Kirjath Arb...
    Judges 1:10
    Then Judah went against the Canaanites who dwel...
  13. Cross References
    Song of Solomon 1:7
    Tell me, O you whom I love, Where you feed your flock, Where you make it rest at noon. For why should I be as one who veils herself By the flocks of your companions?
  14. Cross References
    2 Kings 6:13
    So he said, "Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him." And it was told him, saying, "Surely he is in Dothan.
  15. Cross References
    1 Samuel 19:1
    Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all h...
    Psalms 31:13
    For I hear the slander of many; Fear is on ever...
    Psalms 37:12
    The wicked plots against the just, And gnashes ...
    Psalms 37:32
    The wicked watches the righteous, And seeks to ...
    Matthew 21:38
    "But when the vinedressers saw the son, they sa...
    Matthew 26:3
    Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the el...
    Matthew 26:4
    And plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill ...
    Matthew 27:1
    When morning came, all the chief priests and el...
    Mark 14:1
    After two days it was the Passover and the Feas...
    John 11:53
    Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him...
    Acts 23:12
    And when it was day, some of the Jews banded to...
  16. Cross References
    Genesis 37:22
    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.
    Proverbs 1:11
    If they say, "Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.
  17. Cross References
    Genesis 42:22
    And Reuben answered them, saying, "Did I not speak to you, saying, 'Do not sin against the boy'; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.
  18. Cross References
    Matthew 27:28
    And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.
  19. Cross References
    Proverbs 30:20
    This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, And says, "I have done no wickedness.
  20. Cross References
    Genesis 16:11
    And the Angel of the LORD said to her: Behold, you are with child, And you shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, Because the LORD has heard your affliction.
    Genesis 16:12
    He shall be a wild man; His hand shall be against every man, And every man's hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
    Genesis 37:28
    Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.
    Genesis 37:36
    Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.
    Genesis 39:1
    Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there.
  21. Cross References
    Jeremiah 8:22
    Is there no balm in Gilead, Is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery For the health of the daughter of my people?
  22. Cross References
    Genesis 37:20
    "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!"
  23. Cross References
    1 Samuel 18:17
    Then Saul said to David, "Here is my older daughter Merab; I will give her to you as a wife. Only be valiant for me, and fight the LORD's battles." For Saul thought, "Let my hand not be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.
  24. Cross References
    Genesis 42:21
    Then they said to one another, "We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us.
  25. Cross References
    Genesis 29:14
    And Laban said to him, "Surely you are my bone and my flesh." And he stayed with him for a month.
  26. Cross References
    Genesis 37:25
    And they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt.
    Judges 6:1 - 3
    Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years.
    Judges 8:22
    Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, "Rule over us, both you and your son, and your grandson also; for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.
    Judges 8:24
    Then Gideon said to them, "I would like to make a request of you, that each of you would give me the earrings from his plunder." For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.
  27. Cross References
    Genesis 45:4
    And Joseph said to his brothers, "Please come near to me." So they came near. Then he said: "I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.
    Genesis 45:5
    But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.
    Psalms 105:17
    He sent a man before them - Joseph - who was sold as a slave.
    Acts 7:9
    And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him
  28. Cross References
    Matthew 27:9
    Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced.
  29. Cross References
    Genesis 37:34
    Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days.
    Genesis 44:13
    Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city.
    Job 1:20
    Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.
  30. Cross References
    Genesis 42:13
    And they said, "Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and in fact, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.
    Genesis 42:36
    And Jacob their father said to them, "You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me.
  31. Cross References
    Genesis 37:3
    Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors.
    Genesis 37:23
    So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him.
  32. Cross References
    Genesis 37:20
    "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!"
  33. Cross References
    Genesis 37:29
    Then Reuben returned to the pit, and indeed Joseph was not in the pit; and he tore his clothes.
    2 Samuel 3:31
    Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, "Tear your clothes, gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn for Abner." And King David followed the coffin.
  34. Cross References
    Genesis 50:10
    Then they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, and they mourned there with a great and very solemn lamentation. He observed seven days of mourning for his father.
  35. Cross References
    2 Samuel 12:17
    So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them.
  36. Cross References
    Genesis 25:8
    Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.
    Genesis 35:29
    So Isaac breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people, being old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
    Genesis 42:38
    But he said, "My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is left alone. If any calamity should befall him along the way in which you go, then you would bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.
    Genesis 44:29
    'But if you take this one also from me, and calamity befalls him, you shall bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.'
    Genesis 44:31
    It will happen, when he sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die. So your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father with sorrow to the grave.
  37. Cross References
    Genesis 39:1
    Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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