King James Version

What Does Genesis 37:2 Mean?

Genesis 37:2 in the King James Version says “These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the ... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Genesis 37:2 · KJV


Context

1

And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. wherein: Heb. of his father's sojournings

2

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.

3

Now 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

4

And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with hi... 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. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
אֵ֣לֶּה׀1 of 30
H428

these or those

תֹּֽלְד֣וֹת2 of 30

These are the generations

H8435

(plural only) descent, i.e., family; (figuratively) history

יַֽעֲקֹ֗ב3 of 30

of Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

יוֹסֵ֛ף4 of 30

Joseph

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

בְּנֵ֥י5 of 30

and with the sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שְׁבַֽע6 of 30
H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה7 of 30

being seventeen

H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

שָׁנָה֙8 of 30

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הָיָ֨ה9 of 30
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

רֹעֶ֤ה10 of 30

was feeding

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

אֶת11 of 30
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

אֶחָיו֙12 of 30

with his brethren

H251

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

בַּצֹּ֔אן13 of 30

the flock

H6629

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

וְה֣וּא14 of 30
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

נַ֗עַר15 of 30

and the lad

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

אֶת16 of 30
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

בְּנֵ֥י17 of 30

and with the sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בִלְהָ֛ה18 of 30

of Bilhah

H1090

bilhah, the name of a place in palestine

וְאֶת19 of 30
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

בְּנֵ֥י20 of 30

and with the sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

זִלְפָּ֖ה21 of 30

of Zilpah

H2153

zilpah, leah's maid

נְשֵׁ֣י22 of 30

wives

H802

a woman

אֲבִיהֶֽם׃23 of 30

his father's

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַיָּבֵ֥א24 of 30

brought

H935

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

יוֹסֵ֛ף25 of 30

Joseph

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

אֶת26 of 30
H853

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

דִּבָּתָ֥ם27 of 30

report

H1681

slander

רָעָ֖ה28 of 30

their evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

אֶל29 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲבִיהֶֽם׃30 of 30

his father's

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application


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 37:2 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 37:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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