Genesis 37:31

KJV

¶ And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;

KJV (with Strong's)

And they took {H3947} Joseph's {H3130} coat {H3801}, and killed {H7819} a kid {H8163} of the goats {H5795}, and dipped {H2881} the coat {H3801} in the blood {H1818};

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;

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in the unfolding drama of Joseph's life, immediately following the brothers' decision to sell him to Ishmaelite traders in [Genesis 37:28](/genesis/37-28 "Joseph Sold into Slavery"). Having committed the initial act of betrayal, they now face the practical challenge of explaining Joseph's disappearance to their father, Jacob. The dipping of the coat in blood is the cunning, cruel solution to this problem, designed to create a false narrative of Joseph's demise by a wild animal. This act sets the stage for Jacob's profound mourning in [Genesis 37:34-35](/genesis/37-34-35 "Jacob Mourns Joseph") and initiates Joseph's journey to Egypt, which will ultimately lead to his rise to power and the eventual preservation of his family.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a father's favoritism, often expressed through gifts or special garments, was a common source of sibling rivalry, as seen with Esau and Jacob. The "coat of many colours" (or "long robe with sleeves") was not merely a garment but a symbol of Jacob's exceptional affection and possibly a sign of Joseph's elevated status, perhaps even indicating an inheritance right usually reserved for the firstborn. The killing of a kid of the goats for its blood was a practical choice; goats were common domestic animals, and their blood would be readily available and visually convincing as evidence of a violent animal attack, a common fear in a pastoral society where wild animals posed a constant threat to livestock and humans.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 37:31 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the **destructive power of jealousy and envy**, which drove the brothers to such extreme cruelty against their own kin (compare [Genesis 4:5-8](/genesis/4-5-8 "Cain's Jealousy and Murder of Abel")). The act is a stark illustration of **deception and betrayal**, as the brothers meticulously craft a lie to cover their sin, highlighting the moral depravity that can result from unchecked sin. Furthermore, it foreshadows the theme of **suffering and eventual exaltation**, a pattern seen in Joseph's life that remarkably prefigures the redemptive work of Christ. Despite the human wickedness displayed, this event also subtly points to **divine sovereignty**, as God will ultimately use this evil act for His redemptive purposes, a truth explicitly stated later by Joseph in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "God's Redemptive Purpose for Evil").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **took (Hebrew, _lâqach'_):** From H3947, a primitive root meaning "to take (in the widest variety of applications)." Here, it signifies a deliberate, intentional act of appropriation. The brothers didn't stumble upon the coat; they *took* it with purpose, for their deceptive plan. This highlights their active participation and premeditation in the scheme.
* **killed (Hebrew, _shâchaṭ'_):** From H7819, a primitive root meaning "to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)." This word emphasizes the violent, decisive act of taking a life, even if it's an animal. The choice of this verb underscores the brothers' cold-blooded efficiency in creating the "evidence" for their lie, mimicking a violent death.
* **dipped (Hebrew, _ṭâbal'_):** From H2881, a primitive root meaning "to dip, to immerse." This specific action is crucial to the deception. It's not just a smear or a few drops, but a thorough immersion, ensuring the coat was saturated with blood, making the fabricated story of a wild animal attack appear utterly convincing to Jacob.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they took Joseph's coat":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the object of their deception and the premeditated nature of their act. The "coat" (Hebrew: *kethoneth passim*) was not just any garment; it was the distinctive, specially made robe given to Joseph by Jacob, symbolizing his father's favoritism and Joseph's unique status among his brothers. Its recognizability was key to the success of their plan.
* **"and killed a kid of the goats":** This clause reveals the means by which they would obtain the "evidence." A young goat was a common and readily available animal in their pastoral setting. The act of killing it was a calculated step to procure the necessary blood, demonstrating their willingness to commit a violent act to cover their initial crime of selling Joseph.
* **"and dipped the coat in the blood":** This final action is the culmination of their deceit. By thoroughly immersing the precious, distinctive coat in the fresh blood of the goat, they created a gruesome and convincing tableau. This act was designed to evoke maximum shock and grief from Jacob, leading him to believe that his beloved son had met a violent end at the hands of a wild animal, thus diverting suspicion from themselves.

#### 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.

* [Genesis 4:7](/genesis/4-7 "Sin Crouches at the Door") - This passage warns against unchecked sin and anger, a warning the brothers failed to heed.
* [Proverbs 12:22](/proverbs/12-22 "Lying Lips are an Abomination") - Directly condemns lying lips, which the brothers embody in their elaborate deception.
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good") - A powerful theological statement affirming God's ability to work all things, even evil acts, for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, reflecting the ultimate outcome of Joseph's story.

### 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
* **What hidden resentments or jealousies might I be harboring that could lead to destructive actions or attitudes?**
* **How do I typically respond when I feel wronged or overlooked—do I seek revenge or reconciliation?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to use deception to cover my mistakes or achieve my desires?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater trust in God's sovereignty, even when faced with betrayal or injustice?**

### 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](/john/1-11 "Jesus Rejected by His Own"), and betrayed for a price, echoing Judas's thirty pieces of silver in [Matthew 26:15](/matthew/26-15 "Judas's Betrayal"). 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](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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 37:23

¶ And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, [his] coat of [many] colours that [was] on him;

Genesis 37:3

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.

Proverbs 28:13

¶ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.