King James Version

What Does Genesis 37:2 Mean?

“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.”

Context

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

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.

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

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.

Read full chapter →

Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

**THE TÔLDÔTH JACOB. JOSEPH IS SOLD BY HIS BRETHREN INTO EGYPT.** (2) **The generations of Jacob.**—This *Tôldôth, *according to the undeviating rule, is the history of Jacob’s descendants, and specially of Joseph. So the *Tôldôth *of the heaven and earth (Genesis 2:4) gives the history of the creation and fall of man. So the *Tôldôth Adam *was the history of the flood; and, not to multiply instances, that of Terah was the history of Abraham. (See Note on Genesis 28:10.) This *Tôldôth, *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 (1Samuel 16:11; 1Samuel 17:17-18). 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. **Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.**—Heb., *Joseph brought an evil report of them unto their father.*

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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.