Genesis 37
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Wherein his father was a stranger - מגורי אביו megurey abiv, Jacob dwelt in the land of his father's sojournings, as the margin very properly reads it. The place was probably the vale of Hebron, see Gen 37:14.
Open source ↗PARENTAL PARTIALITY. (Gen 37:1-4) Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger--that is, "a sojourner"; "father" used collectively. The patriarch was at this time at Mamre, in the valley of Hebron (compare Gen 35:27); and his dwelling there was continued in the same manner and prompted by the same motives as that of Abraham and Isaac (Heb 11:13).
Open source ↗And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger,.... And this stands opposed unto, and is distinguished from the case and circumstances of Esau and his posterity, expressed in the preceding chapter, who dwelt in the land of their possession, not as strangers and sojourners, as Jacob and his seed, but as lords and proprietors; and so these words may be introduced and read in connection with the former history; "but Jacob dwelt", &c. (a); and this verse would better conclude the preceding chapter than begin a new one. The Targum of Jonathan paraphrases the words, "and Jacob dwelt quietly"; or peaceably, in tranquillity and safety; his brother Esau being gone from him into another country, he remained where his father lived and died, and in the country that by his blessing belonged to him: in the land of Canaan, and particularly in Hebron, where Isaac and Abraham before him had dwelt. (a) "at habitavit", Schmidt.
Open source ↗Gen 37:1-2 The statement in Gen 37:1, which introduces the tholedoth of Jacob, "And Jacob dwelt in the land of his father's pilgrimage, in the land of Canaan," implies that Jacob had now entered upon his father's inheritance, and carries on the patriarchal pilgrim-life in Canaan, the further development of which was determined by the wonderful career of Joseph. This strange and eventful career of Joseph commenced when he was 17 years old. The notice of his age at the commencement of the narrative which follows, is introduced with reference to the principal topic in it, viz., the sale of Joseph, which was to prepare the way, according to the wonderful counsel of God, for the fulfilment of the divine revelation to Abraham respecting the future history of his seed (Gen 15:13.). While feeding the flock with his brethren, and, as he was young, with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, who were nearer his age than the sons of Leah, he brought an evil report of them to his father (רעה intentionally indefinite, connected with דּבּתם without an article). The words נער והוּא, "and he a lad," are subordinate to the main clause: they are not to be rendered, however, "he was a lad with the sons," but, "as he was young, he fed the flock with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah." Gen 37:3-4 "Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than all his (other) sons, because he was born in his old age," as the first-fruits of the beloved Rachel (Benjamin was hardly a year old at this time). And he made him פּסּים כּתנת: a long coat with sleeves (χιτὼν ἀστραγάλειος, Aqu., or ἀστραγαλωτός, lxx at Sa2 13:18, tunica talaris, Vulg. ad Sam.), i.e., an upper coat reaching to the wrists and ankles, such as noblemen and kings' daughters wore, not "a coat of many colours" ("bunter Rock," as Luther renders it, from the…
Open source ↗Moses has no more to say of the Edomites, unless as they happen to fall in Israel's way; but now applies himself closely to the story of Jacob's family: These are the generations of Jacob. His is not a bare barren genealogy as that of Esau (Gen 36:1), but a memorable useful history. Here is, 1. Jacob a sojourner with his father Isaac, who has yet living, Gen 37:1. We shall never be at home, till we come to heaven. 2. Joseph, a shepherd, feeding the flock with his brethren, Gen 37:2. Though he was his father's darling, yet he was not brought up in idleness or delicacy. Those do not truly love their children that do not inure them to business, and labour, and mortification. The fondling of children is with good reason commonly called the spoiling of them. Those that are trained up to do nothing are likely to be good for nothing. 3. Joseph beloved by his father (Gen 37:3), partly for his dear mother's sake that was dead, and partly for his own sake, because he was the greatest comfort of his old age; probably he waited on him, and was more observant of him than the rest of his sons; he was the son of the ancient so some; that is, when he was a child, he was as grave and discreet as if he had been an old man, a child, but not childish. Jacob proclaimed his affection to him by dressing him finer than the rest of his children: He made him a coat of divers colours, which probably was significant of further honors intended him. Note, Though those children are happy that have that in them which justly recommends them to their parents' particular love, yet it is the prudence of parents not to make a difference between one child and another, unless there be a great and manifest cause given for it by the children's dutifulness or undutifulness; paternal government must be impartial…
Open source ↗37:1 In ch 36, Esau was well on his way to power and prosperity; by contrast, Jacob, still waiting for the promise, settled in the land as a foreigner, like his father. He was still a temporary resident with a single family. Worldly greatness often comes more swiftly than spiritual greatness. Waiting for the promised spiritual blessing while others prosper is a test of patience, faith, and perseverance.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application מָגוּר (mâgûwr, H4033) — a temporary abode; by extension, a permanent residence כְּנַעַן (Kᵉnaʻan, H3667) — Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him
Open source ↗תּוֹלְדָה (tôwlᵉdâh, H8435) — (plural only) descent, i.e. family; (figuratively) history יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… בִּלְהָה (Bilhâh, H1090) — Bilhah, the name of one of Jacob's concubines; also of a place in Palestine זִלְפָּה (Zilpâh, H2153) — Zilpah, Leah's maid אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… זָקֻן (zâqun, H2208) — old age עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application כְּתֹנֶת (kᵉthôneth, H3801) — a shirt פַּס (paç, H6446) — a long and sleeved tunic (perhaps simply a wide one; from the original sense of the root,…
Open source ↗אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) שָׂנֵא (sânêʼ, H8130) — to hate (personally) יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,…
Open source ↗יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites חָלַם (châlam, H2492) — properly, to bind firmly, i.e. (by implication) to be (causatively to make) plump; also… חֲלוֹם (chălôwm, H2472) — a dream נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… שָׂנֵא (sânêʼ, H8130) — to hate (personally) יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… חֲלוֹם (chălôwm, H2472) — a dream חָלַם (châlam, H2492) — properly, to bind firmly, i.e. (by implication) to be (causatively to make) plump; also…
Open source ↗אָלַם (ʼâlam, H481) — to tie fast; hence (of the mouth) to be tongue-tied תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre אֲלֻמָּה (ʼălummâh, H485) — something bound; a sheaf שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) נָצַב (nâtsab, H5324) — to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively) סָבַב (çâbab, H5437) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God)
Open source ↗אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… מָשַׁל (mâshal, H4910) — to rule שָׂנֵא (sânêʼ, H8130) — to hate (personally) יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) חֲלוֹם (chălôwm, H2472) — a dream דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Open source ↗חָלַם (châlam, H2492) — properly, to bind firmly, i.e. (by implication) to be (causatively to make) plump; also… אַחֵר (ʼachêr, H312) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc. חֲלוֹם (chălôwm, H2472) — a dream סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched… יָרֵחַ (yârêach, H3394) — the moon עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first כּוֹכָב (kôwkâb, H3556) — a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God)
Open source ↗סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… גָּעַר (gâʻar, H1605) — to chide אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חֲלוֹם (chălôwm, H2472) — a dream חָלַם (châlam, H2492) — properly, to bind firmly, i.e. (by implication) to be (causatively to make) plump; also… אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… קָנָא (qânâʼ, H7065) — to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e. (in a bad sense) jealous or envious אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Open source ↗אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) שְׁכֶם (Shᵉkem, H7927) — Shekem, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… שְׁכֶם (Shᵉkem, H7927) — Shekem, a place in Palestine יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) עֵמֶק (ʻêmeq, H6010) — a vale (i.e. broad depression) חֶבְרוֹן (Chebrôwn, H2275) — Chebron, a place in Palestine, also the name of two Israelites בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שְׁכֶם (Shᵉkem, H7927) — Shekem, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗Cross-references
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And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.”
“I am a foreigner and an outsider among you. Give me a burial site among you so that I can bury my dead.”
And may He give the blessing of Abraham to you and your descendants, so that you may possess the land where you dwell as a foreigner, the land God gave to Abraham.”
For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together; the land where they stayed could not support them because of their livestock.