TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;
Complete Jewish Bible
They took Yosef's robe, killed a male goat and dipped the robe in the blood.
Berean Standard Bible
Then they took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood.
American Standard Version
And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a he-goat, and dipped the coat in the blood;
World English Bible Messianic
They took Joseph’s coat, and killed a male goat, and dipped the coat in the blood.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And they tooke Iosephs coate, and killed a kidde of the goates, and dipped the coate in the blood.
Young's Literal Translation
And they take the coat of Joseph, and slaughter a kid of the goats, and dip the coat in the blood,
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In the KJVVerse 1,115 of 31,102
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Commentary on Genesis 37 verses 31–36
31 ¶ And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;
32 And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no.
33 And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.
34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.
36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.
I. Joseph would soon be missed, great enquiry would be made for him, and therefore his brethren have a further design, to make the world believe that Joseph was torn in pieces by a wild beast; and this they did, 1. To clear themselves, that they might not be suspected to have done him any mischief. Note, We have all learned of Adam to cover our transgression, Job 31:33. When the devil has taught men to commit one sin, he then teaches them to conceal it with another, theft and murder with lying and perjury; but he that covers his sin shall not prosper long. Joseph's brethren kept their own and one another's counsel for some time, but their villany came to light at last, and it is here published to the world, and the remembrance of it transmitted to every age. 2. To grieve their good father. It seems designed by them on purpose to be revenged upon him for his distinguishing love of Joseph. It was contrived on purpose to create the utmost vexation to him. They sent him Joseph's coat of many colours, with one colour more than it had had, a bloody colour, Gen 37:32. They pretended they had found it in the fields, and Jacob himself must be scornfully asked, Is this thy son's coat? Now the badge of his honour is the discovery of his fate; and it is rashly inferred from the bloody coat that Joseph, without doubt, is rent in pieces. Love is always apt to fear the worst concerning the person beloved; there is a love that casteth out fear, but that is a perfect love. Now let those that know the heart of a parent suppose the agonies of poor Jacob, and put their souls into his soul's stead. How strongly does he represent to himself the direful idea of Joseph's misery! Sleeping or waking, he imagines he sees the wild beast setting upon Joseph, thinks he hears his piteous shrieks when the lion roared against him, makes himself tremble and grow chill, many a time, when he fancies how the beast sucked his blood, tore him limb from limb, and left no remains of him, but the coat of many colours, to carry the tidings. And no doubt it added no little to the grief that he had exposed him, by sending him, and sending him all alone, on this dangerous journey, which proved so fatal to him. This cuts him to the heart, and he is ready to look upon himself as an accessory to the death of his son. Now, (1.) Endeavours were used to comfort him. His sons basely pretended to do it (Gen 37:35); but miserable hypocritical comforters were they all. Had they really desired to comfort him, they might easily have done it, by telling him the truth, "Joseph is alive, he is indeed sold into Egypt, but it will be an easy thing to send thither and ransom him." This would have loosened his sackcloth, and girded him with gladness presently. I wonder their countenances did not betray their guilt, and with what face they could pretend to condole with Jacob on the death of Joseph, when they knew he was alive. Note, The heart is strangely hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. But, (2.) It was all in vain: Jacob refused to be comforted, Gen 37:35. He was an obstinate mourner, resolved to go down to the grave mourning. It was not a sudden transport of passion, like that of David, Would God I had died for thee, my son, my son! But, like Job, he hardened himself in sorrow. Note, [1.] Great affection to any creature does not prepare for so much the greater affliction, when it is either removed from us or embittered to us. Inordinate love commonly ends in immoderate grief; as much as the sway of the pendulum throws one way, so much it will throw the other way. [2.] Those consult neither the comfort of their souls nor the credit of their religion that are determined in their sorrow upon any occasion whatsoever. We must never say, "We will go to our grave mourning," because we know not what joyful days Providence may yet reserve for us, and it is our wisdom and duty to accommodate ourselves to Providence. [3.] We often perplex ourselves with imaginary troubles. We fancy things worse than they are, and then afflict ourselves more than we need. Sometimes there needs no more to comfort us than to undeceive us: it is good to hope the best.
II. The Ishmaelites and Midianites having bought Joseph only to make their market of him, here we have him sold again (with gain enough to the merchants, no doubt) to Potiphar, Gen 37:36. Jacob was lamenting the loss of his life; had he known all he would have lamented, though not so passionately, the loss of liberty. Shall Jacob's freeborn son exchange the best robe of his family for the livery of an Egyptian lord, and all the marks of servitude? How soon was the land of Egypt made a house of bondage to the seed of Jacob! Note, It is the wisdom of parents not to bring up their children too delicately, because they know not to what hardships and mortifications Providence may reduce them before they die. Jacob little thought that ever his beloved Joseph would be thus bought and sold for a servant.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 31–36. Public domain.
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Ambrose of MilanAD 397
On Joseph the Patriarch
Now the fact that they sprinkled his tunic with the blood of a goat seems to have this meaning, that they attacked with false testimony and brought into enmity for sin him who forgives the sins of all people. For us there is a lamb, for them a goat. For us the Lamb of God has been killed, who took from us the sins of the world, whereas for them a goat piled up sins and amassed offenses. Therefore “fill up the measure of your fathers.” And Jacob rightly lamented the losses to his posterity; as a father he wept for his lost son, and as a prophet he mourned the destruction of the Jews. Indeed, Jacob also tore his clothing; similarly, at the time of the Lord Jesus’ passion, the chief priest tore his robe. He exercised not a private role but an office with a public function. The curtain of the temple was also torn, so that it might be made clear by such signs that the mysteries had been profaned, the people stripped of the garments of salvation, and that the kingdom had been divided and was to be destroyed, because every divided kingdom will easily be destroyed.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 37:31 meticulously details the brothers' calculated act of deception following their sale of Joseph into slavery. They deliberately took Joseph's distinctive coat, slaughtered a young goat, and then immersed the garment in the animal's blood. This gruesome fabrication was intended to convince their father, Jacob, that Joseph had been tragically killed by a wild beast, thereby concealing their heinous crime and inflicting profound grief upon their unsuspecting parent.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Genesis 37:31 employs several potent literary devices to convey its meaning and emotional impact. Symbolism is paramount, with Joseph's coat serving as a powerful symbol of Jacob's favoritism, Joseph's unique status, and ultimately, the brothers' jealousy and betrayal. Its defilement with blood symbolizes the violent disruption of the family unit and the brothers' desire to erase Joseph from their lives. The entire scene is an act of Dramatic Irony, as the audience knows Joseph is alive, sold into slavery, while Jacob will be tragically deceived into believing his son is dead. This creates tension and highlights the profound moral blindness of the brothers. Furthermore, the act of dipping the coat in blood functions as a dark foreshadowing of future events, particularly the shedding of innocent blood and the profound suffering that will eventually lead to Joseph's redemptive work in Egypt, and ultimately, the greater redemptive work of Christ. The brothers' elaborate scheme is a masterful display of deception, meticulously crafted to manipulate Jacob's emotions and cover their tracks.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse starkly illustrates the depth of human depravity and the corrosive effects of sin, particularly jealousy and hatred, which lead to betrayal and elaborate deception. The brothers' actions are a chilling example of how sin, when unchecked, can escalate from resentment to violence and calculated deceit. Yet, even within this dark narrative of human wickedness, the overarching theme of divine sovereignty subtly emerges. Despite their evil intentions, the brothers' actions unwittingly set in motion the very events that God would use to preserve their family and fulfill His covenant promises, demonstrating His ability to work through and even redeem human evil for His ultimate good purposes.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 37:31 serves as a profound mirror, inviting us to examine the depths of our own hearts. It exposes the devastating consequences of unchecked jealousy, resentment, and the insidious nature of deception. The brothers' elaborate lie reminds us that sin often requires further sin to cover its tracks, creating a tangled web of deceit that ultimately harms not only the victim but also the perpetrators and those they seek to manipulate. We are challenged to confront our own tendencies towards favoritism, envy, and the temptation to conceal our wrongdoings. Instead, this narrative calls us to embrace honesty, reconciliation, and trust in God's sovereign plan, even when circumstances are painful or unjust. It reassures us that even our darkest moments and the most heinous acts of others can be woven into God's larger tapestry of redemption, reminding us that His purposes will prevail despite human wickedness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did the brothers choose a "kid of the goats" for the blood?
Answer: The "kid of the goats" was a highly practical and culturally appropriate choice for their deception. Goats were common domestic animals in ancient Israel, making them readily available. Furthermore, the blood of a young goat would have been visually convincing, easily mimicking the blood of a larger animal that might have attacked Joseph. This made their fabricated story of a violent wild animal encounter highly believable to Jacob, who lived in a region where such incidents were a real threat.
What was the significance of Joseph's "coat" in this deception?
Answer: The "coat" (Hebrew: kᵉthôneth passim, often translated as "coat of many colours" or "long robe with sleeves") was far more than just a piece of clothing. It was a unique, richly ornamented garment that symbolized Jacob's profound affection for Joseph and his elevated status among his brothers, possibly even indicating a position of leadership or inheritance. Dipping this specific, instantly recognizable coat in blood was crucial to the brothers' plan because its defilement would inflict maximum emotional impact on Jacob, making the fabricated story of Joseph's death by a wild animal utterly convincing and deeply heartbreaking.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The blood-stained coat of Joseph, presented as false evidence of his demise, powerfully prefigures the suffering, betrayal, and apparent defeat of Jesus Christ. Like Joseph, Jesus was rejected by His own people, as highlighted in John 1:11, and betrayed for a price, echoing Judas's thirty pieces of silver in Matthew 26:15. The brothers' act of deception, intended to cover their sin and cause grief, unwittingly set in motion Joseph's path to exaltation and the salvation of his family. In a far greater way, the shedding of Christ's innocent blood, though a product of human sin and betrayal, was not a defeat but the very means of God's sovereign plan for ultimate redemption. His sacrificial death and subsequent resurrection, symbolized by His shed blood, brought about the forgiveness of sins and eternal life for all who believe, fulfilling God's ultimate purpose to reconcile humanity to Himself through the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.