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Commentary on Genesis 37 verses 23–30
We have here the execution of their plot against Joseph. 1. They stripped him, each striving to seize the envied coat of many colours, Gen 37:23. Thus, in imagination, they degraded him from the birthright, of which perhaps this was the badge, grieving him, affronting their father, and making themselves sport, while they insulted over him. "Now, Joseph, where is the fine coat?" Thus our Lord Jesus was stripped of his seamless coat, and thus his suffering saints have first been industriously divested of their privileges and honours, and then made the off-scouring of all things. 2. They went about to starve him, throwing him into a dry pit, to perish there with hunger and cold, so cruel were their tender mercies, Gen 37:24. Note, Where envy reigns pity is banished, and humanity itself is forgotten, Pro 27:4. So full of deadly poison is malice that the more barbarous any thing is the more grateful it is. Now Joseph begged for his life, in the anguish of his soul (Gen 42:21), entreated, by all imaginable endearments, that they would be content with his coat and spare his life. He pleads innocence, relation, affection, submission; he weeps and makes supplication, but all in vain. Reuben alone relents and intercedes for him, Gen 42:22. But he cannot prevail to save Joseph from the horrible pit, in which they resolve he shall die by degrees, and be buried alive. Is this he to whom his brethren must do homage? Note, God's providences often seem to contradict his purposes, even then they are serving them, and working at a distance towards the accomplishment of them. 3. They slighted him when he was in distress, and were not grieved for the affliction of Joseph; for when he was pining away in the pit, bemoaning his own misery, and with a languishing cry calling to them for pity, they sat down to eat bread, Gen 37:25. (1.) They felt no remorse of conscience for the sin; if they had, it would have spoiled their appetite for their meat, and the relish of it. Note, A great force put upon conscience commonly stupefies it, and for the time deprives it both of sense and speech. Daring sinners are secure ones. But the consciences of Joseph's brethren, though asleep now, were roused long afterwards, Gen 42:21. (2.) They were now pleased to think how they were freed from the fear of their brother's dominion over them, and that, on the contrary, they had turned the wheel upon him. They made merry over him, as the persecutors over the two witnesses that had tormented them, Rev 11:10. Note, Those that oppose God's counsels may possibly prevail so far as to think they have gained their point, and yet be deceived. 4. They sold him. A caravan of merchants very opportunely passed by (Providence so ordering it), and Judah made the motion that they should sell Joseph to them, to be carried far enough off into Egypt, where, in all probability, he would be lost, and never heard of more. (1.) Judah proposed it in compassion to Joseph (Gen 37:26): "What profit is it if we slay our brother? it will be less guilt, and more gain, to sell him." Note, When we are tempted to sin, we should consider the unprofitableness of it. It is what there is nothing to be got by. (2.) They acquiesced in it, because they thought that if he were sold for a slave he would never be a lord, if sold into Egypt he would never be their lord; yet all this was working towards it. Note, The wrath of man shall praise God, and the remainder of wrath he will restrain, Psa 76:10. Joseph's brethren were wonderfully restrained from murdering him, and their selling him was as wonderfully turned to God's praise. As Joseph was sold by the contrivance of Judah for twenty pieces of silver, so was our Lord Jesus for thirty, and by one of the same name too, Judas. Reuben (it seems) had gone away from his brethren, when they sold Joseph, intending to come round some other way to the pit, and to help Joseph out of it, and return him safely to his father. This was a kind project, but, if it had taken effect, what had become of God's purpose concerning his preferment in Egypt? Note, There are many devices in man's heart, many devices of the enemies of God's people to destroy them and of their friends to help them, which perhaps are both disappointed, as these were; but the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand. Reuben thought himself undone, because the child was sold: I, whither shall I go? Gen 37:30. He being the eldest, his father would expect from him an accounts of Joseph; but, as it proved, they would all have been undone if he had not been sold.
Every kind of honour and happiness was bestowed upon you, and then was fulfilled that which is written, "My beloved ate and drank, and was enlarged and became fat, and kicked." [Deuteronomy 32:15] Hence flowed emulation and envy, strife and sedition, persecution and disorder, war and captivity. So the worthless rose up against the honoured, those of no reputation against such as were renowned, the foolish against the wise, the young against those advanced in years. For this reason righteousness and peace are now far departed from you, inasmuch as every one abandons the fear of God, and has become blind in His faith, neither walks in the ordinances of His appointment, nor acts a part becoming a Christian, but walks after his own wicked lusts, resuming the practice of an unrighteous and ungodly envy, by which death itself entered into the world. [Wisdom 2:24]
For thus it is written: "And it came to pass after certain days, that Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice unto God; and Abel also brought of the firstlings of his sheep, and of the fat thereof. And God had respect to Abel and to his offerings, but Cain and his sacrifices He did not regard. And Cain was deeply grieved, and his countenance fell. And God said to Cain, Why are you grieved, and why is your countenance fallen? If you offer rightly, but do not divide rightly, have you not sinned? Be at peace: your offering returns to yourself, and you shall again possess it. And Cain said to Abel his brother, Let us go into the field. And it came to pass, while they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him." [Genesis 4:3-8] You see, brethren, how envy and jealousy led to the murder of a brother. Through envy, also, our father Jacob fled from the face of Esau his brother [Genesis 27:41-45]. Envy made Joseph be persecuted unto death, and to come into bondage. [Genesis 37:18-28] Envy compelled Moses to flee from the face of Pharaoh king of Egypt, when he heard these words from his fellow-countryman, "Who made you a judge or a ruler over us? Will you kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?" [Exodus 2:14] On account of envy, Aaron and Miriam had to make their abode without the camp. [Numbers 12:14-15] Envy brought down Dathan and Abiram alive to Hades, through the sedition which they excited against God's servant Moses. [Numbers 16:33] Through envy, David not only underwent the hatred of foreigners, but was also persecuted by Saul king of Israel. [1 Samuel 21:10-15]
Accordingly, even at that time, the cross that was to come was prefigured in sign; and at the same time that he was stripped of his tunic, that is, of the flesh he took on, he was stripped of the handsome diversity of colors that represented the virtues. Therefore his tunic, that is, his flesh, was stained with blood, but not his divinity; and his enemies were able to take from him his covering of flesh but not his immortal life.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 37:23 marks a pivotal and tragic moment in the life of Joseph, detailing the cruel act of his brothers forcibly removing his distinctive tunic, the "coat of many colours." This act was a deliberate and symbolic divestment of his favored status, dignity, and the paternal affection it represented, initiating a profound period of suffering and betrayal that would ultimately set in motion God's sovereign plan for Joseph's life and the future preservation of the nascent nation of Israel.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The narrative in Genesis 37:23 employs several powerful literary devices. Symbolism is paramount, with Joseph's "coat of many colours" serving as a potent symbol of his father's love, his favored status, and his perceived future authority. Its forcible removal symbolizes the brothers' rejection of Jacob's favoritism and their attempt to strip Joseph of his identity and destiny. There is also a strong element of Irony at play; the brothers intend to destroy Joseph's dreams by stripping him and selling him into slavery, yet this very act becomes the catalyst for the fulfillment of those dreams, as God uses their wickedness for His redemptive purposes. Furthermore, the scene is imbued with Pathos, evoking pity for Joseph's vulnerability and the cruelty he endures at the hands of his own family, highlighting the tragic consequences of unchecked envy and familial discord. This event also serves as Foreshadowing, hinting at Joseph's future suffering and humiliation before his ultimate exaltation, a pattern that echoes throughout biblical narratives of God's chosen servants.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The stripping of Joseph's coat stands as a profound theological moment, illustrating the destructive power of human sin, particularly jealousy and betrayal, while simultaneously hinting at God's overarching sovereignty. This act of humiliation, born of deep-seated envy, reveals the brokenness within the family of promise, yet it is precisely through such human failings that God's redemptive plan begins to unfold. The event underscores that even the most heinous acts of human evil can be woven into the tapestry of divine providence, serving as a necessary, albeit painful, step towards a greater good.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Joseph's stripping offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, challenging us to confront the insidious nature of sin within our own hearts and relationships. It serves as a stark warning against the dangers of favoritism, which can breed resentment and division, and the destructive power of envy, which can lead to acts of profound betrayal and cruelty. For those who have experienced betrayal or humiliation, Joseph's story provides a powerful testament to God's ability to work through suffering. It encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when circumstances seem unjust or unbearable, recognizing that our trials can be part of a larger divine design to refine our character, prepare us for His purposes, and ultimately bring about His glory. We are called to cultivate humility, forgiveness, and unconditional love, seeking to build up rather than tear down, and to remember that God's purposes are often fulfilled not in spite of, but through, our deepest pains.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was Joseph's coat so significant?
Answer: Joseph's coat, known as the kethoneth passim, was profoundly significant because it symbolized Jacob's overt favoritism towards him, distinguishing Joseph from his older brothers. While traditionally translated as "coat of many colours," scholarly interpretations often suggest it was a long, sleeved, and perhaps ornamented tunic, signifying a position of special privilege, leisure, or even an heir apparent, contrasting sharply with the practical working garments of his shepherd brothers. This visual distinction fueled the brothers' existing hatred and jealousy, making the coat a potent symbol of their animosity and Joseph's unique, yet precarious, status.
Does this event suggest that Jacob was wrong to show favoritism?
Answer: While the text does not explicitly condemn Jacob's actions, the narrative clearly illustrates the devastating consequences of his favoritism. It directly fueled the intense jealousy and hatred among Joseph's brothers, leading to their heinous act of betrayal and Joseph's subsequent suffering. This serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the divisive effects of partiality within a family, demonstrating how even well-intentioned love can inadvertently create deep wounds and conflict, as seen in other biblical accounts of familial discord, such as the rivalry between Isaac and Ishmael or Jacob and Esau.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The stripping of Joseph's coat in Genesis 37:23 stands as a poignant foreshadowing of the suffering, humiliation, and betrayal that Jesus Christ would endure. Just as Joseph, the beloved son, was stripped of his garment by his own brothers and sold for a price, so too was Jesus, the Beloved Son of God, stripped of His clothes at His crucifixion (John 19:23-24), enduring public shame and betrayal by those He came to save. The brothers' act was an attempt to nullify Joseph's favored status and dreams, much like the religious leaders sought to discredit and destroy Jesus' claim to Messiahship. Yet, in both instances, what was intended for evil, God sovereignly used for good. Joseph's descent into suffering ultimately led to the salvation of his family and the nation of Israel from famine, mirroring Christ's ultimate sacrifice, which brought about eternal salvation and provision for all who believe (Romans 5:8). Joseph's journey from pit to palace, from humiliation to exaltation, powerfully prefigures Christ's path from the cross to the resurrection and His enthronement as King, demonstrating God's consistent plan to bring redemption through the suffering of His chosen one (Philippians 2:8-11).