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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 37:15 a man found him wandering in the field and asked, "What are you looking for?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/37-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/01_Gen_37_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 37:15 - Joseph Sold by His Brothers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="a man found him wandering in the field and asked, What are you looking for?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/37-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/37-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/37.htm">Chapter 37</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/37-14.htm" title="Genesis 37:14">◄</a> Genesis 37:15 <a href="/genesis/37-16.htm" title="Genesis 37:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/37.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/37.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />a man found him wandering around in the fields and asked him, &#8220What are you looking for?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/37.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When he arrived there, a man from the area noticed him wandering around the countryside. “What are you looking for?” he asked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/37.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, “What are you seeking?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/37.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />a man found him wandering in the field and asked, “What are you looking for?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/37.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And a certain man found him, and, behold, <i>he was</i> wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/37.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now a certain man found him, and there he was, wandering in the field. And the man asked him, saying, “What are you seeking?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/37.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field; and the man asked him, “What are you looking for?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/37.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field; and the man asked him, &#8220What are you looking for?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/37.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And a man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field; and the man asked him, “What are you looking for?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/37.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And a man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field; and the man asked him, “What are you seeking?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/37.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now a certain man found Joseph, and saw that he was wandering around <i>and</i> had lost his way in the field; so the man asked him, “What are you looking for?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/37.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A man found him there, wandering in the field, and asked him, “What are you looking for? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/37.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A man found him there, wandering in the field, and asked him, &#8220What are you looking for?"&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/37.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/37.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and wandering through the fields, when a man asked, "What are you looking for?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/37.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/37.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />a man found him wandering around in the open country. "What are you looking for?" the man asked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/37.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and was wandering around in the country when a man saw him and asked him, "What are you looking for?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/37.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />a man found him wandering around in a field. So the man asked him, "What are you looking for?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/37.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />a man found him wandering in the field and asked, ?What are you looking for??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/37.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When Joseph reached Shechem, a man found him wandering in the field, so the man asked him, "What are you looking for?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/37.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And a man found him, and look, he was wandering in the field. And the man asked him, "What are you looking for?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/37.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And a certain man found him, and behold he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/37.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A certain man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field. The man asked him, “What are you looking for?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/37.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And a man finds him, and behold, he is wandering in the field, and the man asks him, saying, “What do you seek?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/37.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And a man findeth him, and lo, he is wandering in the field, and the man asketh him, saying, 'What seekest thou?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/37.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And a man will find him, and behold, he wandered in the field. And the man will ask him, saying, What wilt thou seek?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/37.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And a man found him there wandering in the field, and asked what he sought. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/37.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And a man found him wandering in a field, and he asked him what he was seeking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/37.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />a man came upon him as he was wandering about in the fields. “What are you looking for?” the man asked him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/37.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and a man found him wandering in the fields; the man asked him, “What are you seeking?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/37.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And a certain man found him while he was wandering in the field; and the man asked him, and said to him, What are you seeking?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/37.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And a man found him as he wandered in a field, and that man asked him and said to him, “What are you looking for?”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/37.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field. And the man asked him, saying: 'What seekest thou?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/37.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And a man found him wandering in the field; and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/37-15.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=9442" 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">14</span>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="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: wə·hin·nêh (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">a man</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: way·yim·ṣā·’ê·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3ms) -- To attain to, find. ">found him</a> <a href="/hebrew/8582.htm" title="8582: ṯō·‘eh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To err. A primitive root; to vacillate, i.e. Reel or stray; also causative of both.">wandering</a> <a href="/hebrew/7704.htm" title="7704: baś·śā·ḏeh (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">in the field</a> <a href="/hebrew/7592.htm" title="7592: way·yiš·’ā·lê·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3ms) -- To ask, inquire. Or shael; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand.">and asked,</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: hā·’îš (Art:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“What</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: tə·ḇaq·qêš (V-Piel-Imperf-2ms) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">are you looking for?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>“I am looking for my brothers,” Joseph replied. “Can you please tell me where they are pasturing their flocks?”…<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="/matthew/18-12.htm">Matthew 18:12-14</a></span><br />What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? / And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. / In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-4.htm">Luke 15:4-7</a></span><br />“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? / And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, / comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-38.htm">John 1:38</a></span><br />Jesus turned and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked. They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are You staying?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-5.htm">Acts 9:5-6</a></span><br />“Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. / “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-8.htm">Hebrews 11:8</a></span><br />By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/9-3.htm">1 Samuel 9:3-6</a></span><br />One day the donkeys of Saul’s father Kish wandered off, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants and go look for the donkeys.” / So Saul passed through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find the donkeys. He and the servant went through the region of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they went through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them. / When they reached the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant, “Come, let us go back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm">1 Samuel 16:11</a></span><br />And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-19.htm">2 Kings 6:19</a></span><br />And Elisha told them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking.” And he led them to Samaria.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-6.htm">Jeremiah 50:6</a></span><br />My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to roam the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/34-11.htm">Ezekiel 34:11-12</a></span><br />For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out. / As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-6.htm">Isaiah 53:6</a></span><br />We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-6.htm">Proverbs 3:6</a></span><br />in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-176.htm">Psalm 119:176</a></span><br />I have strayed like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/23-3.htm">Job 23:3</a></span><br />If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/2-15.htm">Exodus 2:15-17</a></span><br />When Pharaoh heard about this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, where he sat down beside a well. / Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father’s flock. / And when some shepherds came along and drove them away, Moses rose up to help them and watered their flock.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seek you?</p><p class="hdg">he was.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/21-14.htm">Genesis 21:14</a></b></br> And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave <i>it</i> unto Hagar, putting <i>it</i> on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.</p><p class="hdg">What.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/4-22.htm">Judges 4:22</a></b></br> And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her <i>tent</i>, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail <i>was</i> in his temples.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/6-19.htm">2 Kings 6:19</a></b></br> And Elisha said unto them, This <i>is</i> not the way, neither <i>is</i> this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/1-38.htm">John 1:38</a></b></br> Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/36-35.htm">Country</a> <a href="/genesis/37-7.htm">Field</a> <a href="/genesis/37-7.htm">Fields</a> <a href="/genesis/30-14.htm">Findeth</a> <a href="/genesis/36-24.htm">Found</a> <a href="/john/20-15.htm">Seekest</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/genesis/24-63.htm">Wandering</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/41-36.htm">Country</a> <a href="/genesis/39-5.htm">Field</a> <a href="/genesis/41-48.htm">Fields</a> <a href="/genesis/37-17.htm">Findeth</a> <a href="/genesis/37-17.htm">Found</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-29.htm">Seekest</a> <a href="/genesis/37-16.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/exodus/14-3.htm">Wandering</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>a man found him wandering in the field</b><br>Joseph, sent by his father Jacob to check on his brothers, is found by an unnamed man. This encounter highlights divine providence, as the man directs Joseph to his brothers, setting in motion the events leading to his eventual rise in Egypt. The field represents a place of searching and uncertainty, symbolizing Joseph's initial lack of direction. This moment foreshadows Joseph's journey from being lost to becoming a leader. The anonymity of the man suggests he could be an angelic figure or a divine messenger, similar to other biblical instances where God uses unnamed individuals to guide His people (e.g., <a href="/genesis/18-2.htm">Genesis 18:2</a>, <a href="/hebrews/13-2.htm">Hebrews 13:2</a>).<p><b>and asked, “What are you looking for?”</b><br>The question posed to Joseph is both literal and metaphorical. Literally, it addresses Joseph's search for his brothers. Metaphorically, it reflects a deeper quest for purpose and identity, themes prevalent throughout Joseph's life. This question can be seen as a divine prompt, encouraging Joseph to pursue his God-given destiny. It echoes God's inquiries to individuals throughout Scripture, such as His question to Adam, "Where are you?" (<a href="/genesis/3-9.htm">Genesis 3:9</a>), inviting introspection and reflection on one's spiritual journey. This moment also prefigures Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost (<a href="/luke/19-10.htm">Luke 19:10</a>), as Joseph's search leads to the salvation of his family and many others during the famine.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Joseph is the favored son of Jacob, who is sent by his father to check on his brothers. His journey leads him to a field where he is found wandering.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_man.htm">The Man</a></b><br>An unnamed man who encounters Joseph in the field. His question to Joseph sets the stage for the subsequent events that lead Joseph to his brothers and eventually to Egypt.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_field.htm">The Field</a></b><br>Represents a place of searching and transition. Joseph's wandering in the field symbolizes a moment of uncertainty and seeking direction.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_encounters.htm">Divine Encounters</a></b><br>God often uses unexpected encounters to guide us. Just as the man directed Joseph, God places people in our lives to help us find our way.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_direction.htm">Seeking Direction</a></b><br>Like Joseph, we may find ourselves wandering and searching. In these moments, we should seek God's guidance and trust His plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/providence_in_uncertainty.htm">Providence in Uncertainty</a></b><br>Even when we are unsure of our path, God is orchestrating events for His purposes. Joseph's wandering was part of a larger divine plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_and_faithfulness.htm">Obedience and Faithfulness</a></b><br>Joseph's willingness to follow his father's instructions, even when it led to uncertainty, is a model of obedience and faithfulness for believers.<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/how_do_chastity_and_celibacy_differ.htm">Do you agree or disagree?</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/is_there_evidence_for_christ's_return.htm">In 2 Thessalonians 1:10, is there any historical or scientific basis for Christ's return with heavenly power?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_neurotheology_study.htm">What does neurotheology study?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/37.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 15, 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And a certain man</span> (or simply a man) <span class="cmt_word">found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field</span> (obviously seeking some thing or person): <span class="cmt_word">and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou? And he said, I seek my brethren:</span> - or, more emphatically, <span class="cmt_word">My Brethren I</span> (<span class="accented">sc</span>. am) <span class="cmt_word">seeking</span> - <span class="cmt_word">tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks</span> - or, Where (are) they shepherding? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/37-15.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">a man</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֔ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_582.htm">Strong's 582: </a> </span><span class="str2">Man, mankind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">found him</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּמְצָאֵ֣הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yim·ṣā·’ê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wandering</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹעֶ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṯō·‘eh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8582.htm">Strong's 8582: </a> </span><span class="str2">To vacillate, reel, stray</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the field</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(baś·śā·ḏeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> </span><span class="str2">Field, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and asked,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׁאָלֵ֧הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·’ā·lê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7592.htm">Strong's 7592: </a> </span><span class="str2">To inquire, to request, to demand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“What</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are you looking for?”</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּבַקֵּֽשׁ׃</span> <span class="translit">(tə·ḇaq·qêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person 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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/37-15.htm">Genesis 37:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/37-15.htm">Genesis 37:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/37-15.htm">Genesis 37:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/37-15.htm">Genesis 37:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/37-15.htm">Genesis 37:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/37-15.htm">Genesis 37:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/37-15.htm">Genesis 37:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/37-15.htm">Genesis 37:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/37-15.htm">Genesis 37:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/37-15.htm">Genesis 37:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/37-15.htm">OT Law: Genesis 37:15 A certain man found him and behold (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/37-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 37:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 37:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/37-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 37:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 37:16" /></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>