translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: GEN

label: NET study note

text: The next section begins with the heading This is the account of Jacob in Gen 37:2 , so this verse actually forms part of the preceding section as a concluding contrast with Esau and his people. In contrast to all the settled and expanded population of Esau, Jacob was still moving about in the land without a permanent residence and without kings. Even if the Edomite king list was added later (as the reference to kings in Israel suggests), its placement here in contrast to Jacob and his descendants is important. Certainly the text deals with Esau before dealing with Jacob – that is the pattern. But the detail is so great in chap. that the contrast cannot be missed.


text: Some interpreters see Joseph as gloating over his brothers, but the text simply says he told his brothers about it (i.e., the dream). The text gives no warrant for interpreting his manner as arrogant or condescending. It seems normal that he would share a dream with the family.


text: The response of Joseph’s brothers is understandable, given what has already been going on in the family. But here there is a hint of uneasiness – they hated him because of his dream and because of his words . The dream bothered them, as well as his telling them. And their words in the rhetorical question are ironic, for this is exactly what would happen. The dream was God’s way of revealing it.


text: The question What is this dream that you had? expresses Jacob’s dismay at what he perceives to be Joseph’s audacity.


text: Joseph’s brothers were already jealous of him , but this made it even worse. Such jealousy easily leads to action, as the next episode in the story shows. Yet dreams were considered a form of revelation, and their jealousy was not only of the favoritism of their father, but of the dreams. This is why Jacob kept the matter in mind.


text: With these words Joseph is depicted here as an obedient son who is ready to do what his father commands.


text: From their hands . The instigators of this plot may have been the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah (see v. 2 ).


text: The verbs translated shed , throw , and lay sound alike in Hebrew; the repetition of similar sounds draws attention to Reuben’s words.


text: On the close relationship between Ishmaelites (v. 25 ) and Midianites , see Judg 8:24 .


text: It was with two young goats that Jacob deceived his father ( Gen 27:9 ); now with a young goat his sons continue the deception that dominates this family.


text: A wild animal has eaten him . Jacob draws this conclusion on his own without his sons actually having to lie with their words (see v. 20 ). Dipping the tunic in the goat’s blood was the only deception needed.


text: The expression captain of the guard might indicate that Potiphar was the chief executioner.