Genesis 37:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he [was] the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of [many] colours.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Now Isra'el loved Yosef the most of all his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a long-sleeved robe.

Berean Standard Bible:

Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors.

American Standard Version:

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Now Israel^{H3478} loved^{H157} Joseph^{H3130} more than all his children^{H1121}, because he was the son^{H1121} of his old age^{H2208}: and he made^{H6213} him a coat^{H3801} of many colours^{H6446}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Genesis 37:3

1. **Themes:**
- **Favoritism and its Consequences:** Genesis 37:3 introduces the theme of favoritism within the family, as Israel (Jacob) shows a clear preference for Joseph over his other sons. This favoritism sets the stage for the brothers' jealousy and resentment towards Joseph.
- **Parental Blessings and Inheritance:** The special coat given to Joseph may symbolize his father's affection as well as his intended status as the favored son, which typically included inheritance rights and family leadership.
- **Divine Providence:** The narrative hints at God's providential care for Joseph, suggesting that his father's favor was part of a larger plan for Joseph's role in the future of Israel.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Patriarchal Society:** The story of Joseph is set within the context of the early Hebrew patriarchal society, where the father's favor and blessings were of utmost importance for a son's future.
- **Family Dynamics in the Ancient Near East:** It was common in ancient Near Eastern societies for the father to have a favored wife and, consequently, a favored son. Joseph was the firstborn son of Rachel, Jacob's favored wife, which further explains why he was the object of Jacob's special affection.
- **Cultural Significance of the Coat:** The "coat of many colours" (or "ornate robe" in some translations) was likely a status symbol, indicating Joseph's exalted position within the family. Such a garment would have been unusual and expensive, marking Joseph as destined for great things in the eyes of his father and his brothers.

The verse sets the scene for the unfolding drama of Joseph's life, including his dreams of grandeur, the animosity of his brothers leading to his sale into slavery, and his eventual rise to power in Egypt. This narrative arc serves as a vehicle for exploring themes of sibling rivalry, divine providence, and family dynamics.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3478
   There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
   Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
   Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
   Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.
   
2. Strong's Number: H157
   There are 257 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָהַב
   Transliteration: ʼâhab
   Pronunciation: aw-hab'
   Description: or אָהֵב ; a primitive root; to have affection for (sexually or otherwise); (be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3130
   There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹסֵף
   Transliteration: Yôwçêph
   Pronunciation: yo-safe'
   Description: future of יָסַף; let him add (or perhaps simply active participle adding); Joseph, the name of seven Israelites; Joseph. Compare יְהוֹסֵף.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2208
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זָקֻן
   Transliteration: zâqun
   Pronunciation: zaw-koon'
   Description: lemma זָקֻ missing final nun, corrected to זָקֻן; properly, passive participle of זָקֵן (used only in the plural as a noun); old age; old age.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3801
   There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כְּתֹנֶת
   Transliteration: kᵉthôneth
   Pronunciation: keth-o'-neth
   Description: or כֻּתֹּנֶת; from an unused root meaning to cover (compare כָּתֵף); a shirt; coat, garment, robe.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6446
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פַּס
   Transliteration: paç
   Pronunciation: pas
   Description: from פָּסַס; properly, the palm (of the hand) or sole (of the foot) (compare פַּס); by implication (plural); a long and sleeved tunic (perhaps simply a wide one; from the original sense of the root, i.e. of many breadths); (divers) colours.