What Happens in Genesis 37? Joseph’s Coat, Betrayal, and the Lesson of Envy
Genesis 37 is the story of 11 of Jacob’s (Israel’s) sons. Joseph is only 17 years old, and one of the 11 (the 12th, Benjamin was a baby), and the other 10 brothers dropped him into a pit and then sold him into slavery in Egypt.
This chapter of Genesis teaches an important lesson about envy. Joseph’s brothers envied him, partly for his coat, which was made for him by their father, Israel (Jacob). Their envy drove them to conspire to kill him. Do you know the antidote for envy?
Genesis 37 Summary
Joseph was tending the flocks with his brothers, Genesis says. Apart from the coat, Joseph had two dreams, which he told his brothers about. Because of these dreams, being favored by Jacob, “bad reports” Joseph made about them, and the coat that their father had made for him, the brothers were jealous of Joseph. So, they conspired against him.
They agreed they should kill Joseph, but Reuben convinced them to throw him into a pit instead. He intended to rescue Joseph later. Later, Judah suggested selling Joseph instead of killing him. Travelers happened by in a caravan bound for Egypt. The brothers raised Joseph from the pit and sold him to the travelers. They sold him into slavery for twenty shekels.
The brothers got the coat, and they dipped it in goat’s blood to show Jacob and tell him they killed Joseph. He was so distraught, it says in Genesis, that he tore his clothes and cried in anguish. Meanwhile, Joseph was in Egypt, where he later served Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.
Modern Relevance
Though this is a disheartening story, there is an important lesson buried in it that makes this story relevant today. Joseph’s brothers envied him because their father had made for him this wonderful coat. They also did not understand his dreams and dismissed him as a dreamer. The antidote for envy, for all time, is gratitude. That is the lesson for us. Envy is one of the seven deadly sins.
Cultural Impact
It is a little strange that a chapter in Genesis from long ago can have a cultural impact, but it has. The most important of these impacts is the Broadway play by Andrew Lloyd Webber. “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” was not just a Broadway play; it was later turned into a movie.
Devotionals & Expressions of Faith
One of the less well-studied aspects of this chapter in Genesis is Jacob (Israel) and his reaction when he thinks Joseph has been killed by his brothers. They tricked him by dipping the coat, which they stole, in goat’s blood. Jacob was so distraught that he cried out and tore his clothes. This kind of grief is appropriate for a father who thinks his son has been killed.
Parting Shots
It is easy to overlook this chapter of Genesis, but it is wise not to. The chapter teaches an important lesson about envy, a deadly sin. The effects of envy, an emotion we all experience, are ugly. The antidote for envy is gratitude.
Disclaimer:This article contains a summary of Genesis 37 as well as interpretive insights from the author. Interpretations of biblical texts can differ, and this piece represents one approach to understanding the passage.
