Genesis 37:12

KJV

¶ And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem.

KJV (with Strong's)

And his brethren {H251} went {H3212} to feed {H7462} their father's {H1} flock {H6629} in Shechem {H7927}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After this, when his brothers had gone to pasture their father's sheep in Sh'khem,

Berean Standard Bible

Some time later, Joseph’s brothers had gone to pasture their father’s flocks near Shechem.

American Standard Version

And his brethren went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 37:12 marks a deceptively simple yet profoundly significant moment in the unfolding saga of Joseph and his family. This seemingly routine pastoral journey by Joseph's brothers to Shechem, a place laden with both historical significance and past family trauma, serves as the immediate catalyst for the dramatic events that will propel Joseph into suffering and, ultimately, into a position of redemptive power. It subtly introduces the setting where God’s sovereign hand will orchestrate human choices and circumstances to fulfill His grand purposes for the nascent nation of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the introduction of Joseph's prophetic dreams and his brothers' escalating hatred and envy, fueled by Jacob's overt favoritism ([Genesis 37:3-11](/genesis/37-3-11 "Joseph's Coat and Dreams")). The narrative has already established a deep familial rift. The brothers' departure to Shechem is presented as a practical necessity for their extensive flocks, but it also creates the geographical and situational opportunity for the brothers' animosity to manifest in a decisive act against Joseph. This seemingly ordinary departure sets the stage for Jacob's subsequent decision to send Joseph to check on his brothers, thereby leading Joseph directly into their snare ([Genesis 37:13-14](/genesis/37-13-14 "Jacob sends Joseph to his brothers")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the patriarchal era, shepherding was the primary occupation and source of wealth for nomadic or semi-nomadic peoples like Jacob's family. Large flocks required extensive grazing lands, often necessitating long journeys to find suitable pastures. Shechem, located approximately 50 miles north of Hebron (where Jacob's family was settled), was renowned for its fertile valleys and abundant water sources, making it an ideal, though distant, grazing ground. However, Shechem also carried a complex and violent history for Jacob's family, having been the site of Abraham's first altar in Canaan ([Genesis 12:6-7](/genesis/12-6-7 "Abraham builds an altar in Shechem")), Jacob's own purchase of land and altar-building upon returning from Paddan-Aram ([Genesis 33:18-20](/genesis/33-18-20 "Jacob buys land and builds an altar in Shechem")), and, most notably, the brutal retaliation by Simeon and Levi against the Shechemites after the defilement of their sister Dinah ([Genesis 34:25-31](/genesis/34-25-31 "Simeon and Levi's revenge in Shechem")). The brothers' return to this place, despite its troubled past, underscores the economic pressures of their pastoral life and inadvertently positions them for the pivotal events to come.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 37:12 contributes to several overarching themes in the Joseph narrative and the book of Genesis. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating how God orchestrates even mundane human activities to advance His redemptive plan, often unbeknownst to the human agents involved. Secondly, it underscores the persistent theme of **Family Dysfunction and Sibling Rivalry**, a recurring motif throughout Genesis, from Cain and Abel to Isaac and Ishmael, and Jacob and Esau. Here, the brothers' journey provides the setting for their deep-seated envy of Joseph to culminate in betrayal. Thirdly, the mention of "feeding their father's flock" subtly introduces the **Shepherd Motif**, which is central to the patriarchal narratives and later becomes a powerful metaphor for leadership and divine care, foreshadowing God as the ultimate Shepherd of His people. Finally, the specific location of Shechem reinforces the theme of **Covenant Land and its Significance**, as it is a place repeatedly marked by key events in the history of God's chosen family.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The concise statement in Genesis 37:12 initiates a chain of events that will profoundly impact the trajectory of Jacob's family and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Brethren (Hebrew, _ʼâch'_):** This word (H251) denotes a brother in the widest sense, encompassing literal kinship and metaphorical affinity. In this context, it emphasizes the familial relationship between Joseph and his siblings, making their subsequent betrayal all the more poignant. Despite being "brothers," their actions reveal a profound lack of brotherly love and a deep-seated animosity, highlighting the brokenness within Jacob's family.
* **Feed (Hebrew, _râʻâh'_):** This verb (H7462) is more comprehensive than simply providing food. It means "to tend a flock," encompassing the full responsibilities of a shepherd: leading, guiding, protecting, pasturing, and caring for the sheep or goats. It implies a diligent, watchful oversight. The brothers are engaged in their primary vocational duty, a task that symbolizes care and provision, yet their actions towards Joseph will starkly contradict the very essence of "shepherding" their own family member.
* **Flock (Hebrew, _tsôʼn'_):** This collective noun (H6629) refers to a group of sheep or goats, representing the primary source of wealth and sustenance for the patriarchal family. The extensive size of their "flock" necessitated their journey to distant pastures like Shechem, underscoring the practical demands of their nomadic lifestyle and inadvertently creating the circumstances for Joseph's fateful encounter.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And his brethren went":** This opening phrase immediately shifts the narrative focus from Joseph's dreams and Jacob's favoritism to the collective action of Joseph's brothers. The verb "went" (Hebrew, _yâlak_) signifies a deliberate journey, setting the physical stage for the unfolding drama. Their unity in this action contrasts sharply with their disunity and malicious intent towards Joseph, highlighting the underlying tension that defines their relationship.
* **"to feed their father's flock":** This clause describes the purpose of their journey—a routine, yet essential, pastoral duty. The phrase "their father's flock" underscores their responsibility to Jacob and the family's livelihood. The act of "feeding" (Hebrew, _râʻâh_) signifies the comprehensive care and protection required of shepherds, an ironic backdrop given their impending failure to "shepherd" or care for their own brother, Joseph, whom they will soon abandon.
* **"in Shechem":** The specific geographical location is crucial. Shechem was a fertile region known for good pasture, making it a practical destination for their large flocks. However, its historical baggage for Jacob's family, particularly the violent events of [Genesis 34](/genesis/34 "The account of Dinah and the violence in Shechem"), adds a layer of tension and foreboding. The choice to return to this place, despite its fraught history, highlights the economic necessity of their nomadic existence and inadvertently positions them for the pivotal encounter with Joseph, transforming a mundane journey into a divinely orchestrated turning point.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as this seemingly ordinary journey sets the stage for the extraordinary events to follow, leading directly to Joseph's betrayal and the subsequent divine plan of salvation. There is a subtle **Irony** in the brothers' task: they are "shepherding" their father's flock, a role implying care and protection, yet they are about to act with extreme malice and abandonment towards their own brother. This contrast highlights their moral failure. The recurring mention of Shechem, a place with a significant and often troubled history for the patriarchs, functions as a **Symbolic Setting**, linking the current events to the broader covenant narrative and reminding the reader of God's ongoing interaction with this specific family in this specific land.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 37:12 serves as a powerful illustration of divine sovereignty working through ordinary human circumstances and choices, even those motivated by sin. The brothers' routine task of shepherding their flocks becomes a crucial link in God's intricate plan to preserve His covenant people and prepare them for their future in Egypt. This verse reminds us that God's purposes are not confined to grand, miraculous interventions but are often woven into the mundane fabric of daily life, demonstrating His meticulous oversight of history. It also highlights the persistent theme of family brokenness and sibling rivalry within the patriarchal narratives, setting the stage for the profound lessons of forgiveness and reconciliation that will emerge later in the Joseph story.

* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps")
* [Psalm 23:1](/psalm/23-1 "The Lord is My Shepherd")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God works all things for good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 37:12 invites us to consider how God's hand is at work even in the most ordinary and seemingly insignificant moments of our lives. Just as the brothers' routine journey to find pasture became a pivotal step in God's larger redemptive plan for Joseph and the entire family of Israel, so too can our daily tasks, responsibilities, and even challenges be part of a divine purpose that we may not immediately discern. This passage also serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities inherent in family relationships, where shared responsibilities can coexist with deep-seated envy, resentment, and conflict. It prompts us to examine our own hearts for unresolved tensions and to seek reconciliation, recognizing that unaddressed relational brokenness can lead to significant and far-reaching consequences. Ultimately, it encourages a posture of trust in God's overarching sovereignty, even when circumstances appear chaotic or unjust, knowing that He is always working towards His good and perfect will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge my perception of "ordinary" life in light of God's sovereign plan?**
* **What hidden tensions or unresolved conflicts in my own family or community might be setting the stage for future difficulties if left unaddressed?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence and purpose in my daily routines and responsibilities?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jacob's sons go all the way to Shechem, given its troubled history for their family?**

Answer: Jacob's family possessed extensive flocks, which necessitated seeking out new and fertile pastures, even those at a considerable distance from their primary residence in Hebron. Shechem was well-known for its rich grazing lands. Despite the violent incident involving Dinah and the Shechemites recorded in [Genesis 34](/genesis/34 "The incident with Dinah and the Shechemites"), the practical and economic necessity of sustaining their vast livelihood likely outweighed the risks, or perhaps the immediate threat from that past event had subsided over time, making the fertile grounds of Shechem an unavoidable destination for their pastoral needs.

**What is the significance of the Hebrew word "ra'ah" (to feed or shepherd) in this context?**

Answer: The Hebrew word *ra'ah* (רָעָה), translated as "to feed," carries a much deeper and broader meaning than simply providing sustenance. It encompasses the full responsibilities of a shepherd: leading the flock to pasture and water, guarding them from predators and dangers, tending to their needs, and providing overall care and protection. This term is highly significant because it is frequently used metaphorically throughout the Bible to describe leadership, particularly God's relationship with His people as their Shepherd ([Psalm 23:1](/psalm/23-1 "The Lord is My Shepherd")), and later, the role of spiritual leaders. In the context of Genesis 37:12, it highlights the brothers' vocational duty while ironically foreshadowing their egregious failure to "shepherd" or care for their own brother, Joseph.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 37:12 serves as the seemingly innocuous beginning of Joseph's journey, a narrative arc that profoundly prefigures the path of Christ. Just as Joseph, sent by his father to his brethren, was rejected, betrayed, and suffered unjustly at the hands of those who should have protected him, yet ultimately became the means of salvation and preservation for his family and many others, so too was Christ sent by His Father to His own people. He was rejected by His brethren ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him")), suffered betrayal and death, yet through His suffering and subsequent exaltation, He became the Savior of all who believe ([Philippians 2:6-11](/philippians/2-6-11 "Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). The "shepherd" motif, implicit in the brothers' task of tending the flock, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Christ, the Good Shepherd, who not only cares for His sheep but lays down His life for them ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "Jesus, the Good Shepherd")). This verse, therefore, marks the initial, seemingly ordinary step in a divinely orchestrated narrative that powerfully illustrates God's redemptive plan through a suffering servant, culminating in Christ's atoning work on the cross and His eternal reign.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 34:25

¶ And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.

Genesis 34:31

And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?

Genesis 37:1

¶ And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.

Genesis 33:18

And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which [is] in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city.