King James Version

What Does Genesis 37:14 Mean?

Genesis 37:14 in the King James Version says “And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me wo...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. see: Heb. see the peace of thy brethren, etc.”

Genesis 37:14 · KJV

PrayerPeace

Context

12

And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem.

13

And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.

14

And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. see: Heb. see the peace of thy brethren, etc.

15

And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?

16

And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.

Read Genesis 37 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flo... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal: (1) God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions; (2) suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment; (3) forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation; (4) God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people; (5) how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes. Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 18

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֗וֹ2 of 18
H0
לֶךְ3 of 18
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

נָ֨א4 of 18
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

רְאֵ֜ה5 of 18

“I pray thee see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת6 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׁל֣וֹם7 of 18

“and well”

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

אַחֶ֙יךָ֙8 of 18

“with thy brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וְאֶת9 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׁל֣וֹם10 of 18

“and well”

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

הַצֹּ֔אן11 of 18

“with the flocks”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וַֽהֲשִׁבֵ֖נִי12 of 18

“again”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

דָּבָ֑ר13 of 18

“me word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֙הוּ֙14 of 18

“So he sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

מֵעֵ֣מֶק15 of 18

“him out of the vale”

H6010

a vale (i.e., broad depression)

חֶבְר֔וֹן16 of 18

“of Hebron”

H2275

chebron, the name of two israelites

וַיָּבֹ֖א17 of 18

“and he came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

שְׁכֶֽמָה׃18 of 18

“to Shechem”

H7927

shekem, a place in palestine

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 37:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 37:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 35:27Luke 19:42Psalms 125:5Numbers 13:22Jeremiah 29:7Genesis 23:2

Places in This Verse

ShechemSettlement · Modern: Tell Balatah · 32.21°N, 35.28°E45 verses across 10 books
Valley of HebronValley · Modern: Tel Rumeida · 31.53°N, 35.10°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Genesis 37 →

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