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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 37:16 "I am looking for my brothers," Joseph replied. "Can you please tell me where they are pasturing their flocks?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/37-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/01_Gen_37_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 37:16 - Joseph Sold by His Brothers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I am looking for my brothers, Joseph replied. 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Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/37.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“I’m looking for my brothers,” Joseph replied. “Do you know where they are pasturing their sheep?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/37.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“I am seeking my brothers,” he said. “Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/37.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I am looking for my brothers,” Joseph replied. “Can you please tell me where they are pasturing their flocks?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/37.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed <i>their flocks</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/37.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So he said, “I am seeking my brothers. Please tell me where they are feeding <i>their flocks.</i>”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/37.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />He said, “I am looking for my brothers; please tell me where they are pasturing <i>the flock.</i>”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/37.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He said, &#8220I am looking for my brothers; please tell me where they are pasturing the flock.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/37.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he said, “I am looking for my brothers; please tell me where they are pasturing <i>the flock.</i>”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/37.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he said, “I am seeking my brothers; please tell me where they are pasturing <i>the flock</i>.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/37.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He said, “I am looking for my brothers. Please tell me where they are pasturing <i>our flocks</i>.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/37.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I’m looking for my brothers,” Joseph said. “Can you tell me where they are pasturing their flocks? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/37.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I&#8217m looking for my brothers,&#8221 Joseph said. &#8220Can you tell me where they are pasturing their flocks?"&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/37.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said, I am seeking my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they are feeding the flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/37.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Joseph answered, "I'm looking for my brothers who are watching the sheep. Can you tell me where they are?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/37.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they are feeding the flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/37.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Joseph replied, "I'm looking for my brothers. Please tell me where they're taking care of their flocks."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/37.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"I am looking for my brothers, who are taking care of their flock," he answered. "Can you tell me where they are?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/37.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"I'm searching for my brothers," he responded. "Tell me, where are they tending the flock?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/37.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?I am looking for my brothers,? Joseph replied. ?Can you please tell me where they are pasturing their flocks??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/37.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He replied, "I'm looking for my brothers. Please tell me where they are grazing their flocks."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/37.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He said, "I am looking for my brothers. Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/37.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/37.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He said, “I am looking for my brothers. Tell me, please, where they are feeding the flock.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/37.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he says, “I am seeking my brothers, please declare to me where they are feeding.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/37.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he saith, 'My brethren I am seeking, declare to me, I pray thee, where they are feeding?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/37.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will say, I am seeking my brethren; announce to me now where they are feeding.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/37.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But he answered: I seek my brethren; tell me where they feed the docks. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/37.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />So he responded: “I seek my brothers. Tell me where they pasture the flocks.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/37.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“I am looking for my brothers,” he answered. “Please tell me where they are tending the flocks.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/37.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“I am seeking my brothers,” he said; “tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/37.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he said, I am seeking my brothers; do tell me where they are feeding their flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/37.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he said, “I am looking for my brothers; show me where they are shepherding.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/37.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he said: 'I seek my brethren. Tell me, I pray thee, where they are feeding the flock.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/37.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he said, I am seeking my brethren; tell me where they feed <i>their flocks</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/37-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=9446" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/37.htm">Joseph Sold by His Brothers</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>a man found him wandering in the field and asked, “What are you looking for?” <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: ’ā·nō·ḵî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">“I am</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: mə·ḇaq·qêš (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">looking for</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’a·ḥay (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">my brothers,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">Joseph replied.</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: hag·gî·ḏāh- (V-Hifil-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To be conspicuous. ">“Can you please tell</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">me</a> <a href="/hebrew/375.htm" title="375: ’ê·p̄ōh (Interrog) -- Where?. From 'ay and poh; what place?; also when?; or how?.">where</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">they</a> <a href="/hebrew/7462.htm" title="7462: rō·‘îm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. Pasture it; intransitively, to graze; generally to rule; by extension, to associate with.">are pasturing their flocks?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>“They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’ ” So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-14.htm">Genesis 37:14</a></span><br />Then Israel told him, “Go now and see how your brothers and the flocks are faring, and bring word back to me.” So he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. And when Joseph arrived in Shechem,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-28.htm">Genesis 37:28</a></span><br />So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-4.htm">Genesis 45:4</a></span><br />Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/42-13.htm">Genesis 42:13</a></span><br />But they answered, “Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/42-7.htm">Genesis 42:7-8</a></span><br />And when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them as strangers and spoke harshly to them. “Where have you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied. “We are here to buy food.” / Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-20.htm">Genesis 50:20</a></span><br />As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-9.htm">Acts 7:9</a></span><br />Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-51.htm">Genesis 41:51</a></span><br />Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/39-1.htm">Genesis 39:1</a></span><br />Meanwhile, Joseph had been taken down to Egypt, where an Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/44-18.htm">Genesis 44:18-34</a></span><br />Then Judah approached Joseph and said, “Sir, please let your servant speak personally to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, for you are equal to Pharaoh himself. / My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ / And we answered, ‘We have an elderly father and a younger brother, the child of his old age. The boy’s brother is dead. He is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-22.htm">Genesis 49:22-26</a></span><br />Joseph is a fruitful vine—a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches scale the wall. / The archers attacked him with bitterness; they aimed at him in hostility. / Yet he steadied his bow, and his strong arms were tempered by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, in the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-17.htm">Psalm 105:17</a></span><br />He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-14.htm">Acts 7:14</a></span><br />Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-8.htm">Genesis 45:8</a></span><br />Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God, who has made me a father to Pharaoh—lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/46-29.htm">Genesis 46:29</a></span><br />Joseph prepared his chariot and went there to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, embraced him, and wept profusely.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he said, I seek my brothers: tell me, I pray you, where they feed their flocks.</p><p class="hdg">seek.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/19-10.htm">Luke 19:10</a></b></br> For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.</p><p class="hdg">tell me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/1-7.htm">Song of Solomon 1:7</a></b></br> Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest <i>thy flock</i> to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/32-29.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/genesis/37-13.htm">Feed</a> <a href="/genesis/37-13.htm">Feeding</a> <a href="/genesis/37-14.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/genesis/37-14.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/genesis/37-13.htm">Grazing</a> <a href="/genesis/31-35.htm">I'm</a> <a href="/revelation/22-9.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/genesis/37-13.htm">Pasturing</a> <a href="/genesis/37-6.htm">Please</a> <a href="/genesis/31-39.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/genesis/37-15.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/genesis/37-14.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/41-24.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/genesis/42-27.htm">Feed</a> <a href="/genesis/48-15.htm">Feeding</a> <a href="/genesis/38-13.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/genesis/45-10.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/27-29.htm">Grazing</a> <a href="/genesis/45-28.htm">I'm</a> <a href="/genesis/39-6.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/exodus/3-1.htm">Pasturing</a> <a href="/genesis/37-32.htm">Please</a> <a href="/genesis/43-18.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/exodus/4-19.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/genesis/40-14.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 37</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-1.htm">Joseph is loved by Jacob, but hated by his brothers.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">His dreams and the interpretation.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-12.htm">Jacob sends him to his brothers, who counsel to slay him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-21.htm">At Reuben's desire they cast him into a pit;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-25.htm">and afterwards sell him to the Ishmaelites; </a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-29.htm">while Ruben grieves at not finding him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-31.htm">His coat, covered with blood, is sent to Jacob, who mourns him inordinately.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-36.htm">Joseph is brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/37.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/37.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I am looking for my brothers,</b><br>Joseph's search for his brothers highlights his obedience to his father Jacob's request, demonstrating familial duty and responsibility. This phrase also foreshadows the theme of seeking and finding, which is prevalent throughout the Bible, such as in the parables of the lost sheep and the prodigal son. Joseph's journey to find his brothers can be seen as a type of Christ, who came to seek and save the lost.<p><b>Joseph replied.</b><br>Joseph's response indicates his willingness to engage with others and his openness to guidance. This reflects his character as someone who is approachable and humble, traits that are later seen in his leadership in Egypt. Joseph's interactions with others often lead to significant developments in his life, much like how Jesus' interactions with individuals often led to transformative events.<p><b>Can you please tell me</b><br>This polite request shows Joseph's respectful nature and his reliance on others for assistance. It underscores the importance of community and communication in achieving one's goals. The humility in asking for help is a recurring biblical theme, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/11-14.htm">Proverbs 11:14</a>, which emphasizes the value of seeking counsel.<p><b>where they are pasturing their flocks?</b><br>The mention of pasturing flocks situates the narrative in a pastoral, agrarian context, typical of the patriarchal period. Shepherding was a common occupation, and it symbolizes care and guidance, themes that resonate throughout Scripture. The imagery of shepherding is later used to describe Jesus as the Good Shepherd in <a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11</a>, drawing a parallel between Joseph's role in his family and Christ's role in the Church.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>The favored son of Jacob, known for his dreams and the coat of many colors. At this point in the account, he is seeking his brothers who are tending their flocks.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/brothers_of_joseph.htm">Brothers of Joseph</a></b><br>The sons of Jacob, who are envious of Joseph due to their father's favoritism and Joseph's dreams that suggest he will rule over them.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/shechem.htm">Shechem</a></b><br>The initial location where Joseph's brothers were supposed to be pasturing their flocks. It is a significant place in Israel's history, associated with both Abraham and Jacob.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/dothan.htm">Dothan</a></b><br>The place where Joseph eventually finds his brothers. It becomes the setting for his betrayal and sale into slavery.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_man.htm">The Man</a></b><br>An unnamed individual who finds Joseph wandering in the fields and directs him to Dothan. This encounter is pivotal in the unfolding of God's plan for Joseph.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_guidance.htm">Seeking Guidance</a></b><br>Joseph's willingness to ask for directions demonstrates humility and determination. In our spiritual journey, we should seek guidance from God and others when we are uncertain of our path.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_appointments.htm">Divine Appointments</a></b><br>The encounter with the unnamed man shows how God orchestrates events and people in our lives to fulfill His purposes. We should remain open to divine appointments and recognize God's hand in our daily interactions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_the_unknown.htm">Faithfulness in the Unknown</a></b><br>Joseph's journey to find his brothers, despite not knowing their exact location, reflects faithfulness and obedience. We are called to trust God and remain faithful even when the path is unclear.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>The unfolding of events in Joseph's life, starting with this search for his brothers, underscores God's sovereignty. We can trust that God is in control, even when circumstances seem unfavorable.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_37.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 37</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_joseph's_shechem_journey.htm">(Genesis 37:12-17) Are there any historical records or evidence supporting Joseph's journey to Shechem and Dothan that validate this narrative?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_brought_joseph_to_egypt.htm">Who brought Joseph to Egypt: the Ishmaelites who bought him (Genesis 37:28), the Midianites who sold him (Genesis 37:36), or his brothers who sold him (Genesis 45:4)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_proof_of_joseph's_high_rank_in_egypt.htm">Is there archaeological proof that Joseph was elevated to such a high rank in Egypt as described in Genesis 47:1-6?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_these_dreams_reflect_ancient_beliefs.htm">(Genesis 37:5-10) Do these dreams realistically align with ancient cultural beliefs, or do they suggest later embellishments inserted into the text?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/37-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“I am</span><br /><span class="heb">אָנֹכִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·nō·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">looking for</span><br /><span class="heb">מְבַקֵּ֑שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ḇaq·qêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> </span><span class="str2">To search out, to strive after</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my brothers,”</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחַ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Joseph replied.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֕אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Can you please tell me</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגִּֽידָה־</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gî·ḏāh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be conspicuous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">where</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵיפֹ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·p̄ōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_375.htm">Strong's 375: </a> </span><span class="str2">What place?, when?, how?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(hêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are pasturing their flocks?”</span><br /><span class="heb">רֹעִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(rō·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7462.htm">Strong's 7462: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/37-16.htm">Genesis 37:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/37-16.htm">Genesis 37:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/37-16.htm">Genesis 37:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/37-16.htm">Genesis 37:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/37-16.htm">Genesis 37:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/37-16.htm">Genesis 37:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/37-16.htm">Genesis 37:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/37-16.htm">Genesis 37:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/37-16.htm">Genesis 37:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/37-16.htm">Genesis 37:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/37-16.htm">OT Law: Genesis 37:16 He said I am looking for my (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/37-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 37:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 37:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/37-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 37:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 37:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>