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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 37:2 This is the account of Jacob. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was tending the flock with his brothers, the sons of his father's wives Bilhah and Zilpah, and he brought their father a bad report about them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/37-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/01_Gen_37_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 37:2 - Joseph's Dreams" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="This is the account of Jacob. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was tending the flock with his brothers, the sons of his father's wives Bilhah and Zilpah, and he brought their father a bad report about them." /><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/37-2.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/37-2.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 2</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="/ad2.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/37-1.htm" title="Genesis 37:1">◄</a> Genesis 37:2 <a href="/genesis/37-3.htm" title="Genesis 37:3">►</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">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/genesis/37.htm">New International Version</a> This is the account of Jacob&#8217s family line. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father&#8217s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them. <a href="/nlt/genesis/37.htm">New Living Translation</a> This is the account of Jacob and his family. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks. He worked for his half brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah. But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing. <a href="/esv/genesis/37.htm">English Standard Version</a> These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. <a href="/bsb/genesis/37.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> This is the account of Jacob. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was tending the flock with his brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah, and he brought their father a bad report about them. <a href="/kjv/genesis/37.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/37.htm">New King James Version</a> 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 a bad report of them to his father. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/37.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> These are the records of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, when he was seventeen years of age, was pasturing the flock with his brothers, while he was still a youth, along with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought back a bad report about them to their father. <a href="/nasb/genesis/37.htm">NASB 1995</a> These are the records of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, when seventeen years of age, was pasturing the flock with his brothers while he was still a youth, along with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father&#8217s wives. And Joseph brought back a bad report about them to their father. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/37.htm">NASB 1977 </a> These are the records of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, when seventeen years of age, was pasturing the flock with his brothers while he was still a youth, along with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought back a bad report about them to their father. <a href="/lsb/genesis/37.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, when seventeen years of age, was pasturing the flock with his brothers while he was still a youth, along with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought back an evil report about them to their father. <a href="/amp/genesis/37.htm">Amplified Bible</a> These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, when he was seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers [Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher]; the boy was with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s [secondary] wives; and Joseph brought back a bad report about them to their father. <a href="/csb/genesis/37.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> These are the family records of Jacob. At seventeen years of age, Joseph tended sheep with his brothers. The young man was working with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought a bad report about them to their father. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/37.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> These are the family records of Jacob. At 17 years of age, Joseph tended sheep with his brothers. The young man was working with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father&#8217s wives, and he brought a bad report about them to their father. <a href="/asv/genesis/37.htm">American Standard Version</a> These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and he was a lad with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought the evil report of them unto their father. <a href="/cev/genesis/37.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> and this is the story of his family. When Jacob's son Joseph was 17 years old, he took care of the sheep with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah. But he was always telling his father all sorts of bad things about his brothers. <a href="/erv/genesis/37.htm">English Revised Version</a> These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and he was a lad with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought the evil report of them unto their father. <a href="/gwt/genesis/37.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> This is the account of Jacob and his descendants. Joseph was a seventeen-year-old young man. He took care of the flocks with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. Joseph told his father about the bad things his brothers were doing. <a href="/gnt/genesis/37.htm">Good News Translation</a> and this is the story of Jacob's family. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, took care of the sheep and goats with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's concubines. He brought bad reports to his father about what his brothers were doing. <a href="/isv/genesis/37.htm">International Standard Version</a> This is a record of Jacob's descendants. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was helping his brothers tend their flocks. He was a young man at that time, as were the children of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. But Joseph would come back and tell his father that his brothers were doing bad things. <a href="/msb/genesis/37.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> This is the account of Jacob. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was tending the flock with his brothers, the sons of his father?s wives Bilhah and Zilpah, and he brought their father a bad report about them. <a href="/net/genesis/37.htm">NET Bible</a> This is the account of Jacob. Joseph, his seventeen-year-old son, was taking care of the flocks with his brothers. Now he was a youngster working with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. Joseph brought back a bad report about them to their father. <a href="/nheb/genesis/37.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, tended the flock with his brothers; he was an assistant to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father?s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report about them to their father. <a href="/wbt/genesis/37.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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 to his father their evil report. <a href="/web/genesis/37.htm">World English Bible</a> This is the history of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. Joseph brought an evil report of them to their father. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/37.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> These [are] the generations of Jacob: Joseph, a son of seventeen years, has been enjoying himself with his brothers among the flock (and he [is] a youth), with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and Joseph brings in an account of their evil to their father. <a href="/ylt/genesis/37.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> These are births of Jacob: Joseph, a son of seventeen years, hath been enjoying himself with his brethren among the flock, (and he is a youth,) with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives, and Joseph bringeth in an account of their evil unto their father. <a href="/slt/genesis/37.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> These the generations of Jacob: Joseph the son of seventeen years, was feeding the sheep with his brethren, and this youth with the sons of Bilhah and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph will bring their evil slander to their father.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/37.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And these are his generations: Joseph, when he was sixteen years old, was feeding the dock with his brethren, being but a boy: and he was with the sons of and of Zelpha his father's wives : and he accused his brethren to his father of a most wicked crime. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/37.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And these are his generations. Joseph, when he was sixteen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers, when he was still a boy. And he was with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, the wives of his father. And he accused his brothers to their father of a most sinful crime. <a href="/nabre/genesis/37.htm">New American Bible</a> This is the story of the family of Jacob. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was tending the flocks with his brothers; he was an assistant to the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah, and Joseph brought their father bad reports about them. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/37.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> This is the story of the family of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/37.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers; and the lad was reared with the sons of Zilpah, and with the sons of Bilhah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought an evil report of them to their father. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/37.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And these are the generations of Yaquuv: Yoseph, son of seventeen years, was shepherding a flock with his brothers, and he was Prince with the sons of Zelpha and with the sons of Balha, wives of his father, and Yoseph brought their evil report to their father.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/37.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren, being still a lad even with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought evil report of them unto their father. <a href="/sep/genesis/37.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And these are the generations of Jacob. And Joseph was seventeen years old, feeding the sheep of his father with his brethren, being young; with the sons of Balla, and with the sons of Zelpha, the wives of his father; and Joseph brought to Israel their father their evil reproach. <a href="/parallel/genesis/37-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=9316" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/37.htm">Joseph's Dreams</a> 1Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had resided, the land of Canaan. 2<a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: ’êl·leh (Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">This</a> <a href="/hebrew/8435.htm" title="8435: tō·lə·ḏō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- Generations. Or toldah; from yalad; descent, i.e. Family; history.">is the account</a> <a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: ya·‘ă·qōḇ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">of Jacob.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3130.htm" title="3130: yō·w·sêp̄ (N-proper-ms) -- Future of yacaph; let him add; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites.">When Joseph</a> <a href="/hebrew/7651.htm" title="7651: šə·ḇa‘- (Number-fsc) -- Or shibrah; from shaba'; a primitive cardinal number; seven; also seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number.">was seventeen</a> <a href="/hebrew/6240.htm" title="6240: ‘eś·rêh (Number-fs) -- Ten. For eser; ten, i.e. -teen; also -teenth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">years</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">old,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">he was</a> <a href="/hebrew/7462.htm" title="7462: rō·‘eh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. Pasture it; intransitively, to graze; generally to rule; by extension, to associate with.">tending</a> <a href="/hebrew/6629.htm" title="6629: baṣ·ṣōn (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock. Or tsaown; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock; also figuratively.">the flock</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hū (Conj-w:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’eṯ- (Prep) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’e·ḥāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">his brothers,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: na·‘ar (N-ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl."></a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’eṯ- (Prep) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">of his father’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: nə·šê (N-fpc) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">wives</a> <a href="/hebrew/1090.htm" title="1090: ḇil·hāh (N-proper-fs) -- Bilhah -- a concubine of Jacob. From balahh; timid; Bilhah, the name of one of Jacob's concubines; also of a place in Palestine.">Bilhah</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2153.htm" title="2153: zil·pāh (N-proper-fs) -- One of Jacob's wives.: from an unused root apparently meaning to trickle, as myrrh; fragrant dropping; Zilpah, Leah's maid.">and Zilpah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3130.htm" title="3130: yō·w·sêp̄ (N-proper-ms) -- Future of yacaph; let him add; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites.">and he</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/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇê (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">brought</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇî·hem (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">their father</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā·‘āh (Adj-fs) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">a bad</a> <a href="/hebrew/1681.htm" title="1681: dib·bā·ṯām (N-fsc:: 3mp) -- Whispering, defamation, evil report. From dabab; slander.">report</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">about them.</a> 3Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/7-9.htm">Acts 7:9</a> Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him <a href="/psalms/105-17.htm">Psalm 105:17</a> He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. <a href="/genesis/45-4.htm">Genesis 45:4-5</a> 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! / And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you. <a href="/genesis/50-20.htm">Genesis 50:20</a> 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. <a href="/john/7-5.htm">John 7:5</a> For even His own brothers did not believe in Him. <a href="/matthew/27-18.htm">Matthew 27:18</a> For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. <a href="/acts/7-10.htm">Acts 7:10</a> and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household. <a href="/genesis/41-46.htm">Genesis 41:46</a> Now Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph left Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout the land of Egypt. <a href="/genesis/39-2.htm">Genesis 39:2</a> And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master. <a href="/genesis/42-6.htm">Genesis 42:6</a> Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground. <a href="/genesis/49-22.htm">Genesis 49:22-26</a> 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, ... <a href="/hebrews/11-21.htm">Hebrews 11:21</a> By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. <a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28</a> And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. <a href="/genesis/29-9.htm">Genesis 29:9</a> While he was still speaking with them, Rachel arrived with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. <a href="/genesis/30-35.htm">Genesis 30:35</a> That very day Laban removed all the streaked or spotted male goats and every speckled or spotted female goat—every one that had any white on it—and every dark-colored lamb, and he placed them under the care of his sons.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought to his father their evil report.the generations.<a href="/genesis/2-4.htm">Genesis 2:4</a> These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,<a href="/genesis/5-1.htm">Genesis 5:1</a> This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;<a href="/genesis/6-9.htm">Genesis 6:9</a> These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.wives.<a href="/genesis/30-4.htm">Genesis 30:4,9</a> And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her… <a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">Genesis 35:22,25,26</a> And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: … evil report.<a href="/1_samuel/2-22.htm">1 Samuel 2:22-24</a> Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation… <a href="/john/7-7.htm">John 7:7</a> The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.<a href="/1_corinthians/1-11.htm">1 Corinthians 1:11</a> For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/35-25.htm">Bilhah</a> <a href="/genesis/22-12.htm">Boy</a> <a href="/genesis/31-52.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/genesis/37-1.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/genesis/36-24.htm">Feeding</a> <a href="/genesis/35-21.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/genesis/36-9.htm">Generations</a> <a href="/genesis/36-9.htm">History</a> <a href="/genesis/37-1.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/35-24.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/22-5.htm">Lad</a> <a href="/genesis/36-9.htm">Records</a> <a href="/genesis/29-13.htm">Report</a> <a href="/jeremiah/32-9.htm">Seventeen</a> <a href="/genesis/36-6.htm">Wives</a> <a href="/genesis/35-26.htm">Zilpah</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/46-25.htm">Bilhah</a> <a href="/genesis/37-30.htm">Boy</a> <a href="/genesis/37-20.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/genesis/37-12.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/genesis/37-13.htm">Feeding</a> <a href="/genesis/37-12.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/exodus/3-15.htm">Generations</a> <a href="/ruth/4-18.htm">History</a> <a href="/genesis/37-34.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/37-3.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/37-30.htm">Lad</a> <a href="/genesis/41-49.htm">Records</a> <a href="/genesis/45-16.htm">Report</a> <a href="/genesis/47-28.htm">Seventeen</a> <a href="/genesis/45-19.htm">Wives</a> <a href="/genesis/46-18.htm">Zilpah</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 37</div>1. <a href="/genesis/37-1.htm">Joseph is loved by Jacob, but hated by his brothers.</a> 5. <a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">His dreams and the interpretation.</a> 12. <a href="/genesis/37-12.htm">Jacob sends him to his brothers, who counsel to slay him.</a> 21. <a href="/genesis/37-21.htm">At Reuben's desire they cast him into a pit;</a> 25. <a href="/genesis/37-25.htm">and afterwards sell him to the Ishmaelites; </a> 29. <a href="/genesis/37-29.htm">while Ruben grieves at not finding him.</a> 31. <a href="/genesis/37-31.htm">His coat, covered with blood, is sent to Jacob, who mourns him inordinately.</a> 36. <a href="/genesis/37-36.htm">Joseph is brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>This is the account of Jacob. This phrase introduces the narrative of Jacob's family, particularly focusing on Joseph. The term "account" or "generations" (Hebrew: toledot) is a structural marker in Genesis, indicating a new section. Jacob, also known as Israel, is a patriarch whose life and family are central to the unfolding story of God's covenant with Abraham's descendants. This account sets the stage for the events leading to the Israelites' eventual move to Egypt.When Joseph was seventeen years old, Joseph's age is significant as it marks him as a young man on the cusp of adulthood. At seventeen, he is old enough to work with his brothers but still young enough to be under his father's authority. His youth and favored status by Jacob contribute to the tension with his brothers. Joseph's age also foreshadows his future growth and maturity through trials and leadership in Egypt.he was tending the flock with his brothers, Shepherding was a common occupation in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including among the patriarchs. This task required skill and responsibility, indicating Joseph's involvement in family duties. The mention of Joseph working alongside his brothers highlights the familial relationships and sets the stage for the ensuing conflict. Shepherding also serves as a metaphor for leadership and care, themes that recur in Joseph's life.the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah, Bilhah and Zilpah were maidservants given to Jacob by his wives Rachel and Leah, respectively, and became secondary wives. Their sons, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher, were considered full members of Jacob's family but may have had a lower status compared to Leah and Rachel's sons. This detail underscores the complex family dynamics and rivalries, as Joseph, the son of Rachel, Jacob's favored wife, is set apart from these brothers.and he brought their father a bad report about them. Joseph's action of bringing a negative report to Jacob suggests a role of oversight or accountability, possibly indicating his favored position. This act likely exacerbated the animosity between him and his brothers, as it could be seen as tattling or seeking favor with their father. The "bad report" foreshadows the brothers' later betrayal and Joseph's journey from favored son to slave, and eventually to a position of power in Egypt. This narrative also prefigures Christ, who, like Joseph, was rejected by His own but ultimately became a savior.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a> Also known as Israel, he is the father of Joseph and his brothers. Jacob is a patriarch in the lineage of Abraham and Isaac, and his life is marked by God's covenant promises. 2. <a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a> At seventeen, Joseph is the favored son of Jacob, known for his dreams and future leadership. His early life is characterized by tension with his brothers. 3. <a href="/topical/b/bilhah_and_zilpah.htm">Bilhah and Zilpah</a> These are the concubines of Jacob and mothers to some of Joseph's brothers. Their sons are part of the twelve tribes of Israel. 4. <a href="/topical/j/joseph's_brothers.htm">Joseph's Brothers</a> The sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, who are part of the larger family dynamic that includes jealousy and rivalry. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_bad_report.htm">The Bad Report</a> Joseph brings a negative report about his brothers to Jacob, setting the stage for future conflict and demonstrating early signs of his role as a truth-teller.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/family_dynamics_and_favoritism.htm">Family Dynamics and Favoritism</a> The account of Joseph highlights the dangers of favoritism within families. Parents should strive for fairness and love towards all children to prevent jealousy and discord. <a href="/topical/i/integrity_and_truth-telling.htm">Integrity and Truth-Telling</a> Joseph's decision to bring a bad report about his brothers can be seen as an act of integrity. Believers are called to speak the truth, even when it is difficult, but must do so with wisdom and love. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_adversity.htm">God's Sovereignty in Adversity</a> Despite the negative circumstances that arise from Joseph's report, God's sovereign plan is at work. Trusting in God's plan is crucial, even when we face challenges and misunderstandings. <a href="/topical/y/youth_and_responsibility.htm">Youth and Responsibility</a> Joseph's age is mentioned, indicating that young people can have significant roles and responsibilities. Encouraging youth to act with integrity and faith is important in their spiritual development.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_37.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 37</a> <a href="/q/how_to_cope_with_losing_a_parent.htm">How can one cope with the grief of losing a parent?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_joseph_rise_to_power_in_egypt.htm">How did Joseph rise to power in Egypt?</a> <a href="/q/why_sell_joseph_into_slavery.htm">Why did Joseph's brothers sell him into slavery?</a> <a href="/q/why_didn't_joseph's_brothers_know_him.htm">How could Joseph’s brothers fail to recognize him after only about two decades (Genesis 42:7–8)? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/37.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>THE T?LD?TH JACOB. JOSEPH IS SOLD BY HIS BRETHREN INTO EGYPT.(2) The generations of Jacob.--This Toldoth, according to the undeviating rule, is the history of Jacob's descendants, and specially of Joseph. So the Toldoth of the heaven and earth (<a href="/genesis/2-4.htm" title="These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,">Genesis 2:4</a>) gives the history of the creation and fall of man. So the Toldoth Adam was the history of the flood; and, not to multiply instances, that of Terah was the history of Abraham. (See Note on <a href="/genesis/28-10.htm" title="And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.">Genesis 28:10</a>.) This Toldoth, therefore, extends to the end of Genesis, and is the history of the removal, through Joseph's instrumentality, of the family of Jacob from Canaan into Egypt, as a step preparatory to its growth into a nation.Joseph being seventeen years old.--He was born about seven years before Jacob left Haran, and as the journey home probably occupied two full years, he would have dwelt in Isaac's neighbourhood for seven or eight years. Isaac's life, as we have seen, was prolonged for about twelve years after the sale of Joseph by his brethren.And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah.--Heb., And he was lad with the sons of Bilhah, &c. The probable meaning of this is, that as the youngest son it was his duty to wait upon his brothers, just as David had to look after the sheep, while his brothers went to the festival; and was also sent to the camp to attend to them (<a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm" title="And Samuel said to Jesse, Are here all your children? And he said, There remains yet the youngest, and, behold, he keeps the sheep. And Samuel said to Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come here.">1Samuel 16:11</a>; <a href="/context/1_samuel/17-17.htm" title="And Jesse said to David his son, Take now for your brothers an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp of your brothers;">1Samuel 17:17-18</a>). The sons of Jacob were dispersed in detachments over the large extent of country occupied by Jacob's cattle, and Joseph probably after his mother's death, when he was about nine years' old, would be brought up in the tent of Bilhah, his mother's handmaid. He would naturally, therefore, go with her sons, with whom were also the sons of the other handmaid. They do not seem to have taken any special part in Joseph's sale. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/37.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - These are the generations of Jacob. The opening of a new section (cf. <a href="/genesis/2-4.htm">Genesis 2:4</a> etc.). Joseph, the son of Rachel, and born in Padan-aram (<a href="/genesis/30-24.htm">Genesis 30:24</a>) - being seventeen years old, - literally, a son of seventeen years, thus making Jacob 108 - was feeding the flock with his brethren; - literally, was shepherding; not his brethren (Bush), but with his brethren, in, or among, the flock - and the lad was - literally, and he a lad, aetate, moribus et innocentia (Lyra), non tantum aetate sed et ministerio (Poole), but most probably designed simply as a note of his age. Pererius, following the Vulgate, connects the clause with what precedes; Calvin, Dathius, Lange, Murphy, Kalisch, and others conjoin it with the words that follow; the LXX., Willet, Rosenmüller, Keil, Ainsworth, Bush, etc. regard it as a parenthetical statement - with - not in the capacity of a servant (Vatablus) or of a ward (Kalisch), but of a companion - the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives. With these rather than the sons of Leah, as being less supercilious and haughty than the children of the first wife (Lawson), or as being less opposed to him than they (Lange), or more probably as being nearer to his own age than they (Keil), or perhaps as having been brought more into contact with the handmaids' children, and in particular with those of Bilhah, Rachel's maid, who may have been to him as a mother after Rachel's death (Rosenmüller). And Joseph brought unto his (rather, their) father their evil report. Not accusavit fratres suos apud patrem crimine pessimo (Vulgate), or κατὴνεγκαν ψόλον πονηρὸν προς Ισραὴλ τὸν πατέρα αὐτῶν (LXX.), as if Joseph drew down upon himself their calumnious reports, but carried to his father an evil report concerning them (Kalisch); not informed him of what he himself saw of their evil deeds (Lawson), though this need not be excluded, but repeated the דִּבָּה, or fama, always of a bad character (Rosenmüller), which was circulating in the district respecting them - tunics rumores qui subinde de iis spargebantur (Dathius); - the noun being derived from an onomatopoetic root, דָּבַב, signifying to go slowly, or to creep about. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/37-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>This אֵ֣לֶּה ׀ (’êl·leh) Pronoun - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> These, those is the account תֹּלְד֣וֹת (tō·lə·ḏō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8435.htm">Strong's 8435: </a> Descent, family, history of Jacob. יַעֲקֹ֗ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc When Joseph יוֹסֵ֞ף (yō·w·sêp̄) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3130.htm">Strong's 3130: </a> Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites [was] seventeen שְׁבַֽע־ (šə·ḇa‘-) Number - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7651.htm">Strong's 7651: </a> Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number years שָׁנָה֙ (šā·nāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> A year old, בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son he was הָיָ֨ה (hā·yāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be tending רֹעֶ֤ה (rō·‘eh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7462.htm">Strong's 7462: </a> To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with the flock בַּצֹּ֔אן (baṣ·ṣōn) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6629.htm">Strong's 6629: </a> Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock with אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> Nearness, near, with, by, at, among his brothers, אֶחָיו֙ (’e·ḥāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> A brother, ) the sons בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Bilhah בִלְהָ֛ה (ḇil·hāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1090.htm">Strong's 1090: </a> Bilhah -- a concubine of Jacob and Zilpah, זִלְפָּ֖ה (zil·pāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2153.htm">Strong's 2153: </a> Zilpah -- one of Jacob's wives his father’s אָבִ֑יו (’ā·ḇîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father wives, נְשֵׁ֣י (nə·šê) Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female and he יוֹסֵ֛ף (yō·w·sêp̄) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3130.htm">Strong's 3130: </a> Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites brought וַיָּבֵ֥א (way·yā·ḇê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go their father אֲבִיהֶֽם׃ (’ă·ḇî·hem) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father a bad רָעָ֖ה (rā·‘āh) Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> Bad, evil report דִּבָּתָ֥ם (dib·bā·ṯām) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1681.htm">Strong's 1681: </a> Whispering, defamation, evil report about them. אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/37-2.htm">Genesis 37:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/37-2.htm">Genesis 37:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/37-2.htm">Genesis 37:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/37-2.htm">Genesis 37:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/37-2.htm">Genesis 37:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/37-2.htm">Genesis 37:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/37-2.htm">Genesis 37:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/37-2.htm">Genesis 37:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/37-2.htm">Genesis 37:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/37-2.htm">Genesis 37:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/37-2.htm">OT Law: Genesis 37:2 This is the history of the generations (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/37-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 37:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 37:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/37-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 37:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 37:3" /></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>