Genesis 37:32

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they sent {H7971} the coat {H3801} of many colours {H6446}, and they brought {H935} it to their father {H1}; and said {H559}, This have we found {H4672}: know {H5234} now whether it be thy son's {H1121} coat {H3801} or no.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then they sent the long-sleeved robe and brought it to their father, saying, "We found this. Do you know if it's your son's robe or not?"

Berean Standard Bible

They sent the robe of many colors to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe or not.”

American Standard Version

and they sent the coat of many colors, and they brought it to their father, and said, This have we found: know now whether it is thy son’s coat or not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Genesis 37:32](/genesis/37-32 "The Brothers' Deception") records the chilling moment when Joseph's brothers present his blood-stained coat to their father, Jacob, feigning ignorance and implying Joseph's death by a wild animal. This calculated act of deception was designed to conceal their heinous crime of selling Joseph into slavery, inflicting profound grief upon Jacob and setting in motion a pivotal series of events in the biblical narrative.

### CONTEXT
This verse is the cruel climax of escalating family tensions rooted in Jacob's overt favoritism towards Joseph, symbolized by the gift of a distinctive "coat of many colours" ([Genesis 37:3](/genesis/37-3 "Jacob's Favoritism")). Joseph's prophetic dreams, foretelling his future ascendancy, further inflamed his brothers' intense jealousy and hatred ([Genesis 37:5](/genesis/37-5 "Joseph's Dreams")). When Joseph was sent to check on them in Dothan, their animosity culminated in a plot to kill him, which was ultimately modified to selling him to Ishmaelite traders ([Genesis 37:28](/genesis/37-28 "Joseph Sold into Slavery")). To provide a plausible and devastating cover story for Jacob, they dipped Joseph's unique tunic in goat's blood, creating the gruesome "evidence" presented in this verse, thereby fabricating a narrative of his demise.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 37:32](/genesis/37-32 "The Brothers' Deception") succinctly describes the brothers' final, agonizing step in their conspiracy against Joseph: "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." The phrase "coat of many colours" translates the Hebrew *kethoneth passim* (כְּתֹנֶת פַּסִּים). While the King James Version interprets it as "many colours," scholarly consensus often suggests a "long-sleeved tunic" or an "ornamented tunic." Regardless of the precise rendering, it signifies a garment of high distinction, a symbol of Joseph's favored status and perhaps his exemption from manual labor, which undoubtedly fueled his brothers' resentment.

The brothers' actions are marked by chilling premeditation and cruelty. They did not merely return the coat; they *sent* it, creating a detachment from the act, and then presented it with a feigned discovery: "This have we found." Their subsequent question, "know now whether it be thy son's coat or no," is loaded with ironic malice. They knew precisely whose coat it was and what it represented to Jacob. By forcing Jacob to identify the blood-stained garment, they ensured maximum emotional impact, compelling him to confront the "evidence" of his beloved son's supposed violent death. This act was not just a cover-up; it was a deliberate infliction of pain, designed to secure their secret and punish Jacob for his favoritism. The immediate consequence, as seen in subsequent verses, is Jacob's profound and prolonged grief, believing his son to be dead ([Genesis 37:34-35](/genesis/37-34 "Jacob's Mourning")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **The Destructive Power of Envy and Deception:** This verse vividly illustrates how unchecked jealousy can fester into malicious betrayal and calculated deception, leading to profound pain and fractured relationships within a family.
* **Consequences of Favoritism:** While not excusing the brothers' sin, the narrative subtly highlights how Jacob's overt favoritism inadvertently contributed to the intense resentment that fueled the tragic events, serving as a cautionary tale for parenting.
* **Parental Grief and Suffering:** Jacob's subsequent mourning underscores the deep emotional impact of the brothers' actions, emphasizing the suffering inflicted by sin and betrayal on innocent parties.
* **Divine Providence Amidst Human Sin:** Despite the darkness of the brothers' sin, this act is a crucial, albeit wicked, step in God's overarching redemptive plan. Joseph's journey to Egypt, orchestrated by this deception, ultimately leads to his rise to power and the preservation of his family during a famine, demonstrating God's ability to work through human evil for His greater purposes ([Genesis 45:5-8](/genesis/45-5 "Joseph's Understanding of God's Providence")).
* **Symbolism of the Coat:** The coat, initially a symbol of favor and distinction, becomes a tool of deception and a symbol of loss, highlighting the fragility of human blessings when confronted with sin.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 37:32](/genesis/37-32 "The Brothers' Deception") serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the corrosive effects of jealousy, the devastating consequences of deception, and the deep wounds that unresolved family conflicts can inflict. It challenges us to examine our own hearts for bitterness and resentment, reminding us of the profound pain that can result from unchecked sin. Yet, amidst this dark betrayal, the narrative also offers a profound glimpse into the sovereignty of God, who can take even the most wicked human actions and weave them into His grand redemptive plan. It encourages us to trust in God's providence even when circumstances seem dire and unjust, and to actively seek reconciliation and forgiveness in our own relationships, recognizing that God can bring good out of even the most broken situations.

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "coat of many colours"?**

Answer: The "coat of many colours" (Hebrew *kethoneth passim*) was a special garment given to Joseph by his father, Jacob. It symbolized Jacob's deep favoritism towards Joseph and likely indicated Joseph's elevated status, perhaps signifying that he was not expected to perform manual labor like his brothers, or that he was being groomed for a leadership role. This distinctive garment, therefore, became a powerful symbol of the favoritism that fueled his brothers' intense jealousy and hatred.

**Why did Joseph's brothers choose to use the coat and goat's blood to deceive Jacob?**

Answer: The brothers chose this method because the coat was a clear, tangible symbol of Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph, making its "discovery" a highly believable and emotionally devastating piece of evidence. Dipping it in goat's blood simulated a wild animal attack, a common and plausible threat in their environment, providing a seemingly undeniable explanation for Joseph's disappearance without implicating themselves. This calculated act was designed to inflict maximum pain on Jacob while effectively concealing their crime of selling Joseph into slavery.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joseph, beginning with the betrayal in [Genesis 37:32](/genesis/37-32 "The Brothers' Deception"), serves as a profound type of Christ. Joseph, the beloved son, was rejected and betrayed by his own brothers, sold for a price, and presumed dead, yet through his suffering and descent into Egypt, he ultimately rose to power and became the savior of his family and many nations from famine. Similarly, Jesus, the beloved Son of God, was rejected and betrayed by His own people, sold for thirty pieces of silver, and suffered a seemingly ignominious death. Yet, through His crucifixion and resurrection, He became the ultimate Savior, not just for one family or nation, but for all humanity, delivering them from the famine of sin and death and bringing them into the abundance of eternal life. The coat, stained with blood, foreshadows the shedding of innocent blood for a redemptive purpose, though in Joseph's case, it was a lie, while in Christ's, it was the truth that brought 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.