Bible Commentary

Genesis 37:12-22

Matthew Henry on Genesis 37:12-22

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

How readily does Joseph wait his father's orders! Those children who are best beloved by their parents, should be the most ready to obey them. See how deliberate Joseph's brethren were against him. They thought to slay him from malice aforethought, and in cold blood.

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer, 1Jo 3:15. The sons of Jacob hated their brother because their father loved him. New occasions, as his dreams and the like, drew them on further; but this laid rankling in their hearts, till they resolved on his death.

God has all hearts in his hands. Reuben had most reason to be jealous of Joseph, for he was the first-born; yet he proves his best friend. God overruled all to serve his own purpose, of making Joseph an instrument to save much people alive.

Joseph was a type of Christ; for though he was the beloved Son of his Father, and hated by a wicked world, yet the Father sent him out of his bosom to visit us in great humility and love. He came from heaven to earth to seek and save us; yet then malicious plots were laid against him.

His own not only received him not, but crucified him. This he submitted to, as a part of his design to redeem and save us.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 37:1-36The representative man. Jacob may be said to fall into the background from this time until his parting benediction. The kingdom of God is represented in Joseph and his history. The main points in this chapter are— I. GO…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Genesis 37:12-22Here is, I. The kind visit which Joseph, in obedience to his father's command, made to his brethren, who were feeding the flock at Shechem, many miles off. Some suggest that they went thither on purpose, expecting that…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 37:12-25Joseph among his brethren at Dothan. I. THE FRIENDLY MISSION. 1. Its local destination. This was Shechem, at a distance of sixty miles from Hebron, where Jacob had previously resided for a number of years and acquired a…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 37:12-25EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 37:12And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem—i.e. the modern Nablous, in the plain of Muknah, which belonged to Jacob partly by purchase and partly by conquest (vide Genesis 33:19; Genesis 34:27). Shech…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 37:13And Israel (vide Genesis 32:28; Genesis 35:10) said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock (literally, Are not thy brethren shepherding?) in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. Either he was solicito…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 37:14And he (Jacob) said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren (literally, see the place of thy brethren), and well with the flocks (literally, and the peace of the flock); and bring me word again…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 37:17And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan—Dothaim, "the Two ells," a place twelve miles north of Samaria in the direction of the plain of Esdraelon, situated on the great carav…Joseph S. Exell and contributors