Joseph's Coat and Dreams
Jacob favors Joseph with a colorful coat. Joseph's dreams of greatness make his brothers jealous.
Genesis 37:1-11
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The Story
Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age, the firstborn of his beloved Rachel. To show his favor, Jacob made Joseph a richly ornamented robe—some translations call it a coat of many colors.
When Joseph's brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 'Listen to this dream I had,' he said. 'We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.'
'Do you intend to reign over us?' his brothers demanded. 'Will you actually rule us?' And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.
Then Joseph had another dream. 'Listen,' he said, 'I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.'
When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him. 'What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?' His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.
Joseph was seventeen, young and perhaps unwise in sharing his dreams so openly. His brothers' hatred would soon boil over into terrible action. Yet these dreams were from God, and despite everything that would follow, they would come true.
Joseph's Special Coat
Kids Version
Jacob had twelve sons, but Joseph was his favorite. Joseph was born when Jacob was old, and his mother Rachel was Jacob's favorite wife.
Jacob gave Joseph a special gift—a beautiful coat with lots of colors! It was amazing! Joseph loved it.
But his brothers were jealous. 'Why does HE get that special coat? Dad loves him more than us!' They were so jealous they couldn't even say anything nice to Joseph.
Then Joseph had a dream. He told his brothers about it. 'We were all tying up bundles of wheat in a field. My bundle stood up straight, and all YOUR bundles bowed down to mine!'
His brothers were angry. 'Do you think you're going to be our KING? You think WE'LL bow to YOU?' They hated him even more.
Joseph had another dream. 'This time the sun, moon, and eleven stars all bowed down to me!'
Even his dad said, 'Joseph! What kind of dream is that? Do you think your mom and I and all your brothers will bow to you?'
His brothers were so jealous. But his dad wondered about those dreams.
Joseph was just a teenager. He probably shouldn't have bragged about his dreams. But those dreams came from God. And someday, they would come true in a way nobody expected!
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Characters in This Story
Settings & Locations
Scripture — Genesis 37:1-11 (KJV)
1And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. wherein: Heb. of his father's sojournings
2These 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.
3Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. colours: or, pieces
4And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
5And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
6And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:
7For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.
8And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
9And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
10And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
11And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
Memory Verse
“And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. wherein: Heb. of his father's sojournings”
— Genesis 37:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Joseph's Coat and Dreams” in the Bible?
Jacob favors Joseph with a colorful coat. Joseph's dreams of greatness make his brothers jealous. This story is found in Genesis 37:1-11.
Where is “Joseph's Coat and Dreams” found in the Bible?
“Joseph's Coat and Dreams” is found in Genesis 37:1-11, in the book of Genesis.
What can children learn from “Joseph's Coat and Dreams”?
This story teaches children about Favoritism, Jealousy, Dreams, God's plans. Jacob gave Joseph a beautiful colorful coat because he was his favorite son. Joseph had dreams that his family would bow to him someday. His brothers were very jealous.