Genesis 37:15

KJV

And a certain man found him, and, behold, [he was] wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?

KJV (with Strong's)

And a certain man {H376} found him {H4672}, and, behold, he was wandering {H8582} in the field {H7704}: and the man {H376} asked him {H7592}, saying {H559}, What seekest {H1245} thou?

Complete Jewish Bible

where a man found him wandering around in the countryside. The man asked him, "What are you looking for?"

Berean Standard Bible

a man found him wandering in the field and asked, “What are you looking for?”

American Standard Version

And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 37:15 marks a pivotal, divinely orchestrated moment in Joseph's life, where a seemingly chance encounter with an unnamed man while Joseph is disoriented in the field serves as a crucial catalyst. This interaction redirects Joseph towards his brothers, setting in motion the series of events that will lead to his suffering, his elevation in Egypt, and ultimately, the preservation of the nascent nation of Israel, all according to God's sovereign plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the "Joseph narrative," which begins in [Genesis 37](/genesis/37 "Genesis 37 - Joseph's Dreams and Betrayal") and extends through [Genesis 50](/genesis/50 "Genesis 50 - Joseph's Forgiveness and Death"). Immediately preceding this verse, Joseph, a seventeen-year-old, has been sent by his father, Jacob, from the Valley of Hebron to Shechem to check on his brothers and their flocks ([Genesis 37:12-14](/genesis/37-12-14 "Joseph Sent to His Brothers")). His brothers, harboring deep resentment due to Jacob's favoritism and Joseph's prophetic dreams ([Genesis 37:5-11](/genesis/37-5-11 "Joseph's Dreams")), have already moved on from Shechem. Joseph's "wandering" in verse 15 highlights his disorientation and the immediate challenge he faces in fulfilling his father's command, setting the stage for the fateful encounter that will propel him towards Dothan and his brothers' treacherous plot.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Pastoral life in ancient Canaan often involved shepherds leading their flocks across vast, open fields in search of pasture, making it easy to become disoriented, especially for someone unfamiliar with the specific grazing patterns or recent movements of a large family like Jacob's. Shechem and Dothan were significant locations in ancient Israel, known for their pastures. The journey from Hebron to Shechem was substantial, and then further to Dothan, indicating Joseph's diligence in seeking his brothers. The cultural emphasis on family honor and the potential for severe consequences for perceived slights (like Joseph's dreams) underscore the volatile environment Joseph was entering. The interaction with an unnamed stranger, while seemingly mundane, was a common occurrence in such settings, yet here it is imbued with divine significance, as such encounters could often provide critical information or assistance in a time before widespread communication.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 37:15 significantly contributes to several overarching themes in the Joseph narrative and the book of Genesis. It highlights **Divine Providence**, demonstrating how God actively guides events through seemingly ordinary means to fulfill His purposes, even when human actors are unaware of their role. Joseph's "wandering" underscores the theme of **Vulnerability and Dependence**, as he is lost and reliant on external help, foreshadowing his later dependence on God's intervention in Egypt. The verse also subtly introduces the theme of **Obedience Leading to Suffering**, as Joseph's dutiful search for his brothers, an act of filial obedience, directly leads him into the path of betrayal and enslavement. This echoes broader biblical patterns where faithfulness can precede trials, ultimately serving a redemptive purpose, as seen later when Joseph declares, "[You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - God's Redemptive Purpose"), to bring it about that many people should be kept alive."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **man (Hebrew, _ʼîysh'_):** This word (H376) refers to an individual male person. In this context, the use of "a certain man" emphasizes his anonymity, highlighting that his significance lies not in his identity but in his function as an instrument of divine providence. He is an ordinary person used in an extraordinary way.
* **found (Hebrew, _mâtsâʼ'_):** This primitive root (H4672) means "to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire." Its use here suggests that Joseph was not merely discovered by chance, but that the man actively "found" him, implying a purposeful encounter. This verb often carries the nuance of something being brought to light or revealed, reinforcing the sense of a divinely orchestrated meeting rather than a random occurrence.
* **wandering (Hebrew, _tâʻâh'_):** This primitive root (H8582) signifies "to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both; (cause to) go astray, deceive, dissemble, (cause to, make to) err, pant, seduce, (make to) stagger, (cause to) wander, be out of the way." Joseph's "wandering" accurately portrays his disorientation and lostness in the vast field, emphasizing his vulnerability and need for direction. It is not indicative of disobedience but of being genuinely lost and off the intended path.
* **seekest (Hebrew, _bâqash'_):** This primitive root (H1245) means "to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after; ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for)." The man's question, "What seekest thou?", directly addresses Joseph's active pursuit, highlighting his purpose-driven but currently frustrated search for his brothers. This word choice underscores Joseph's diligence even in his lost state.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And a certain man found him":** This phrase introduces the pivotal character, deliberately unnamed, whose appearance is presented as an active discovery rather than a passive observation. The emphasis is on the man's initiative in "finding" Joseph, suggesting a purposeful encounter rather than mere coincidence.
* **"and, behold, [he was] wandering in the field":** The interjection "behold" (Hebrew *hinneh*) draws attention to Joseph's vulnerable state. He is not merely walking, but "wandering" (*tâʻâh*), indicating disorientation and being lost in the vast, open country (*sâdeh*). This sets the scene of Joseph's predicament and highlights his need for guidance.
* **"and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?":** The man's direct question, "What seekest thou?" (*mah-tevaqqesh*), is a crucial inquiry that opens the door for Joseph to articulate his purpose and receive the necessary information. It is a simple question that serves as the catalyst for the next stage of Joseph's journey, directly leading him to his brothers and, subsequently, to his destiny.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 37:15 employs several significant literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Joseph's literal "wandering" in the field and being "found" by a guide subtly foreshadows his metaphorical lostness (to his family, in slavery and prison) and his eventual "finding" (his rise to power and reunion with his family). The **Irony** lies in Joseph's obedience to his father, which leads him directly into the path of betrayal and suffering, a common biblical motif where faithfulness can precede trials. The unnamed "certain man" functions as a device of **Divine Providence**, emphasizing that God uses ordinary, even anonymous, individuals and seemingly chance encounters to meticulously guide the unfolding of His redemptive plan. The brevity of the interaction, yet its profound impact, exemplifies **Conciseness with Consequence**, a narrative technique that highlights the pivotal nature of seemingly small events in the grand biblical narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple encounter in Genesis 37:15 is deeply imbued with theological significance, primarily underscoring the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**. The "certain man" is not a random passerby but an instrument in God's hands, guiding Joseph precisely to where his brothers had relocated. This intervention ensures that the divine plan for Joseph's life, which includes his suffering, his rise to power in Egypt, and his ultimate role in preserving his family and the nascent nation of Israel, remains on course. It illustrates that even in moments of confusion and disorientation, God is actively at work, orchestrating circumstances and using unexpected individuals to fulfill His purposes, demonstrating His meticulous care over the lives of His chosen servants and the unfolding of His redemptive history.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - Joseph's Declaration of God's Purpose")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 37:15 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating life's uncertainties. Joseph's "wandering" in the field, a state of disorientation and lostness, resonates with our own experiences of feeling adrift, unsure of the next step, or even questioning our path. Yet, in that moment of vulnerability, God sends an unexpected guide. This reminds us that even when we feel lost or confused, God's providential hand is actively at work, often using ordinary people or seemingly random events to direct our steps. It encourages us to cultivate a posture of trust, recognizing that divine guidance may come through unexpected channels, and to remain open to the help that God provides, even if it leads us through difficult or unfamiliar territory. Our obedience to God's call, even when it seems to lead to hardship, is always part of His larger, good, and redemptive plan for our lives and for the advancement of His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel "wandering" or disoriented, and how might God be working through unexpected means to guide you?**
* **Can you recall a time when a seemingly chance encounter or an ordinary person played a pivotal role in directing your path or providing crucial information?**
* **How does Joseph's experience of obedience leading to suffering in this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of God's will for your life?**

### FAQ
**Why is the man in Genesis 37:15 unnamed?**

Answer: The Bible often leaves characters unnamed when their primary purpose is to serve as an instrument of God's will rather than to develop their own character. The anonymity of the "certain man" in [Genesis 37:15](/genesis/37-15 "The Man Finds Joseph Wandering") emphasizes that his appearance is not a random occurrence but a divinely orchestrated intervention, highlighting God's sovereignty in guiding Joseph's steps. His identity is secondary to his function in God's unfolding plan, which is to direct Joseph towards his destiny.

**Was Joseph's "wandering" a sign of disobedience or carelessness?**

Answer: No, Joseph's "wandering" (Hebrew *tâʻâh*, H8582) indicates disorientation and being lost, not disobedience or carelessness. He was actively seeking his brothers as instructed by his father, Jacob, having traveled a significant distance from Hebron to Shechem. The vastness of the fields and the brothers' relocation caused his predicament. His lostness, in fact, positioned him for the divine encounter that would redirect his path towards God's greater purpose, ultimately leading him to Dothan where his brothers were ([Genesis 37:17](/genesis/37-17 "Joseph Finds His Brothers in Dothan")).

**How does this seemingly small interaction have such significant consequences?**

Answer: This interaction is a classic example of how God uses seemingly minor events to trigger major developments in His redemptive plan. The man's guidance led Joseph directly to his brothers in Dothan, where they conspired against him and sold him into slavery ([Genesis 37:28](/genesis/37-28 "Joseph Sold into Slavery")). This painful event was not an end but a means to God's ultimate purpose: to bring Joseph to Egypt, elevate him to power, and use him to preserve his family and the nascent nation of Israel during a severe famine ([Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's Declaration of God's Good Purpose")). It demonstrates God's meticulous orchestration of history, where every detail serves His overarching redemptive design.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's journey, initiated by his "wandering" and the providential guidance of an unnamed man, serves as a profound type of Christ, revealing aspects of the Messiah's mission and suffering. Like Joseph, Jesus was sent by His Father into a world that largely rejected Him, leading to profound suffering and apparent abandonment. Joseph, though innocent, was sold by his brothers and descended into a foreign land, ultimately rising to a position of power to save his people from famine. Similarly, Christ, innocent and obedient to the Father's will ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")), was rejected by His own people ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")), suffered, died, and descended into the grave, only to be exalted to the right hand of God ([Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - Christ Exalted")). From this position of ultimate authority, He became the ultimate deliverer, providing spiritual sustenance and salvation for all who believe, saving humanity from the famine of sin and eternal death ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). The "certain man" who guided Joseph can be seen as an early, subtle illustration of God's active involvement in guiding events toward the ultimate fulfillment found in Christ's redemptive work, demonstrating that even seemingly insignificant encounters are part of God's grand design for salvation.

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

Judges 4:22

And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her [tent], behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail [was] in his temples.

Genesis 21:14

¶ And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave [it] unto Hagar, putting [it] on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

John 18:7

Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

John 4:27

¶ And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?

John 1:38

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

John 20:15

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

John 18:4

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?