King James Version

What Does Genesis 37:32 Mean?

Genesis 37:32 in the King James Version says “And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whet... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no.

Genesis 37:32 · KJV


Context

30

And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?

31

And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;

32

And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no.

33

And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.

34

And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we ... 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 this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַֽיְשַׁלְּח֞וּ1 of 17

And they sent

H7971

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

אֶת2 of 17
H853

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

הַכְּתֹ֧נֶת3 of 17

coat

H3801

a shirt

הַפַּסִּ֗ים4 of 17

of many colours

H6446

a long and sleeved tunic (perhaps simply a wide one; from the original sense of the root, i.e., of many breadths)

וַיָּבִ֙יאוּ֙5 of 17

and they brought

H935

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

אֶל6 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲבִיהֶ֔ם7 of 17

it to their father

H1

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

וַיֹּֽאמְר֖וּ8 of 17

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

זֹ֣את9 of 17
H2063

this (often used adverb)

מָצָ֑אנוּ10 of 17

This have we found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

הַכֶּר11 of 17

know

H5234

properly, to scrutinize, i.e., look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (

נָ֗א12 of 17
H4994

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

הַכְּתֹ֧נֶת13 of 17

coat

H3801

a shirt

בִּנְךָ֛14 of 17

now whether it be thy son's

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

הִ֖וא15 of 17
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

אִם16 of 17
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֹֽא׃17 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles


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 37:32 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 37:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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