King James Version

What Does Genesis 37:35 Mean?

Genesis 37:35 in the King James Version says “And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will g...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.”

Genesis 37:35 · KJV

Comfort

Context

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.

35

And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.

36

And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard. officer: Heb. eunuch: but the word doth signify not only eunuchs, but also chamberlains, courtiers, and officers captain: or, chief marshal: Heb. chief of the slaughter men, or executioners

Read Genesis 37 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and h... 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. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיָּקֻמוּ֩1 of 18

“rose up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

כָל2 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בְּנִ֛י3 of 18

“And all his 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

וְכָל4 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בְּנֹתָ֜יו5 of 18

“and all his daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

לְהִתְנַחֵ֔ם6 of 18

“to be comforted”

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

וַיְמָאֵן֙7 of 18

“him but he refused”

H3985

to refuse

לְהִתְנַחֵ֔ם8 of 18

“to be comforted”

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר9 of 18

“and he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כִּֽי10 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֵרֵ֧ד11 of 18

“For I will go down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

אֶל12 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנִ֛י13 of 18

“And all his 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

אָבֵ֖ל14 of 18

“mourning”

H57

lamenting

שְׁאֹ֑לָה15 of 18

“into the grave”

H7585

hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates

וַיֵּ֥בְךְּ16 of 18

“wept”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

אֹת֖וֹ17 of 18
H853

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

אָבִֽיו׃18 of 18

“Thus his father”

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 37:35 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 37:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 42:38Job 2:112 Samuel 12:17Genesis 45:28Psalms 77:2Genesis 35:22-26

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 37 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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