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 records the chilling culmination of Joseph's brothers' malicious plot, as they present his distinctive, blood-stained tunic to their father, Jacob. This calculated act of deception, designed to conceal their crime of selling Joseph into slavery, was orchestrated to make Jacob believe his beloved son had been tragically killed by a wild animal. The verse marks a pivotal moment, plunging Jacob into profound grief and setting in motion a series of events that would profoundly shape the destiny of the nascent Israelite family.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the brothers' decision to sell Joseph to Ishmaelite traders rather than kill him, a compromise suggested by Reuben and Judah ([Genesis 37:26-28](/genesis/37-26-28 "Joseph Sold into Slavery")). Having disposed of Joseph, they now face the challenge of explaining his disappearance to their father, Jacob. The act described in [Genesis 37:32](/genesis/37-32 "The Brothers' Deception") is the final, crucial step in their meticulously planned deception, designed to provide a plausible and devastating cover story. It directly precipitates Jacob's intense mourning described in [Genesis 37:34-35](/genesis/37-34-35 "Jacob's Mourning"), highlighting the immediate and severe emotional impact of their cruel lie. The narrative then shifts to Joseph's journey to Egypt, demonstrating how this act of betrayal serves as a dark, yet divinely orchestrated, catalyst for future events.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, a distinctive garment like the "coat of many colours" (or "long-sleeved tunic") was often a symbol of status, favor, or even an inheritance right, distinguishing the wearer from others, especially those engaged in manual labor. Such garments were not typically worn by shepherds. The use of animal blood to simulate a wild animal attack was a common and believable ruse in a pastoral society where predators posed a constant threat to flocks and people. The family structure, with a patriarch like Jacob holding significant authority and expressing clear favoritism, also sets the stage for the intense sibling rivalry. The brothers' actions reflect a desperate attempt to eliminate a perceived rival and secure their own positions within the family, using methods that would be culturally understood as plausible, however horrific.
* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 37:32](/genesis/37-32 "The Brothers' Deception") is a nexus for several key themes woven throughout the Joseph narrative and the broader book of Genesis. It powerfully illustrates the destructive nature of **sibling rivalry and jealousy**, which escalate from resentment to attempted murder and ultimately to calculated deception. The theme of **deception and betrayal** is central, as the brothers craft a lie that inflicts profound grief upon their father. This verse also highlights the theme of **parental favoritism and its consequences**, as Jacob's overt love for Joseph, symbolized by the very coat used in the deception, fuels the brothers' animosity. Crucially, even amidst this profound human sin, the narrative subtly introduces the theme of **divine providence**, hinting that God will ultimately work through these wicked acts for a greater redemptive purpose, a theme that becomes explicit later in the story, particularly in [Genesis 45:5-8](/genesis/45-5-8 "Joseph's Understanding of God's Providence").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Coat (Hebrew, _kᵉthôneth'_):** This term (H3801) refers to a tunic or garment. In the context of [Genesis 37](/genesis/37 "Joseph's Early Life"), it specifically denotes the special garment Jacob gave to Joseph, often translated as "coat of many colours" or "long-sleeved tunic." Its significance lies in its symbolism of Jacob's exceptional favor towards Joseph, distinguishing him from his brothers and fueling their resentment.
* **Father (Hebrew, _ʼâb'_):** The word (H1) signifies Jacob, the patriarch of the family. The brothers' act was specifically directed at their father, aiming to deceive him and inflict emotional pain. The term underscores the familial betrayal and the profound impact of their actions on the head of the household.
* **Found (Hebrew, _mâtsâʼ'_):** This verb (H4672) means "to find" or "to come forth to." The brothers' use of "This have we found" is a deliberate lie, feigning accidental discovery to distance themselves from their crime. It highlights their calculated deceit and their attempt to appear innocent while delivering devastating news.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they sent the coat of [many] colours":** This phrase describes the initial action taken by the brothers. Instead of bringing the coat themselves, they "sent" it, perhaps through a servant or one of their younger, less culpable members, to create a veneer of detachment and plausible deniability. The "coat of many colours" (Hebrew *kethoneth passim*) was Joseph's distinctive garment, a powerful symbol of Jacob's favoritism, making it the perfect prop for their gruesome deception.
* **"and they brought [it] to their father":** This indicates the delivery of the blood-stained garment directly to Jacob. The act of bringing it to their father underscores the directness of their intent to inflict pain and the target of their elaborate lie. It forces Jacob to confront the "evidence" personally, maximizing the emotional impact.
* **"and said, This have we found:":** This is the core of their deception. By claiming to have "found" the coat, they present themselves as innocent bystanders who stumbled upon a tragic scene. This calculated statement is designed to deflect suspicion and establish a false narrative of Joseph's demise by a wild animal.
* **"know now whether it [be] thy son's coat or no.":** This rhetorical question is laden with cruel irony and malice. The brothers knew full well whose coat it was and what it meant to Jacob. By forcing Jacob to identify the garment, they compel him to acknowledge the "proof" of his beloved son's death, ensuring the deepest possible emotional wound and securing their secret. It's an act of psychological torture.

#### Literary Devices
[Genesis 37:32](/genesis/37-32 "The Brothers' Deception") is rich with literary techniques that amplify its dramatic and emotional impact. The most prominent device is **Irony**, particularly **dramatic irony**. The audience knows the truth of Joseph's fate (he was sold, not killed by an animal), while Jacob is tragically ignorant. The brothers' question, "know now whether it be thy son's coat or no," is deeply ironic, as they know the answer and are deliberately inflicting pain. **Symbolism** is also central, with the "coat of many colours" transforming from a symbol of favoritism and blessing into a gruesome symbol of betrayal, loss, and death. The blood on the coat, though fake in its origin, serves as a powerful **motif** of violence and death, foreshadowing the very real suffering Jacob will endure. The brothers' calculated actions demonstrate **Foreshadowing**, as their deep-seated malice and capacity for deception hint at future conflicts and betrayals within the family, even as this specific act sets the stage for Joseph's eventual ascent. The narrative's stark presentation of their cold, premeditated lie also employs **Understatement** in its description of their "saying," allowing the horror of the act to speak for itself without explicit authorial condemnation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse starkly reveals the devastating consequences of unchecked sin within a family, demonstrating how envy and resentment can fester into malicious betrayal and calculated deception. It serves as a somber reminder of humanity's capacity for evil, even among siblings, and the profound grief that results from such acts. Yet, even in this dark moment of human depravity, the seeds of divine providence are implicitly sown, as this wicked act unknowingly propels Joseph toward a future where he will play a crucial role in God's redemptive plan for his family and beyond. The suffering inflicted upon Jacob, though grievous, becomes a necessary, albeit painful, step in the unfolding of God's sovereign purposes.

* [Genesis 4:8](/genesis/4-8 "Cain Murders Abel") - The first instance of sibling rivalry escalating to murder, echoing the destructive potential of envy seen in Joseph's brothers.
* [Proverbs 27:4](/proverbs/27-4 "Envy's Cruelty") - "Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?" This proverb vividly describes the destructive power of jealousy, which is the root cause of the brothers' actions.
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good") - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This New Testament truth provides the ultimate theological framework for understanding how God can use even wicked acts like the brothers' deception to accomplish His sovereign will.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 37:32](/genesis/37-32 "The Brothers' Deception") is a stark mirror reflecting the destructive power of sin, particularly the corrosive effects of jealousy and the devastating consequences of deception within relationships. It compels us to honestly examine our own hearts for any seeds of bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness that, if left unchecked, can lead to profound pain and fractured bonds. The narrative reminds us that our actions, even those intended to conceal or harm, have far-reaching consequences, not only for those we directly impact but also for ourselves and our spiritual well-being. Yet, amidst this profound human failing, the story also offers a powerful testament to God's unwavering sovereignty. Even when human evil seems to prevail, God is capable of weaving the darkest threads of betrayal into the tapestry of His redemptive plan. This encourages us to trust in His providence even when circumstances seem dire and unjust, and to actively pursue reconciliation, forgiveness, and integrity in our own lives, knowing that God can bring good out of even the most broken situations, ultimately transforming our trials into testimonies of His faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does unchecked jealousy or favoritism in a family or community lead to destructive outcomes?**
* **In what ways might we, like Joseph's brothers, be tempted to deceive others to cover our own wrongdoing or to achieve our desires?**
* **How can understanding God's sovereignty, even in the face of human evil, help us process difficult or unjust circumstances in our own lives?**
* **What steps can we take to foster forgiveness and reconciliation in relationships strained by betrayal or conflict?**

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

Answer: The "coat of many colours" (Hebrew *kethoneth passim*) was a distinctive and valuable garment given to Joseph by his father, Jacob, as a clear sign of his deep favoritism and perhaps an indication of his elevated status or future inheritance. While traditionally translated as "many colours," many scholars suggest it was a "long-sleeved tunic" or a "tunic of many breadths," signifying a garment of distinction not typically worn by those engaged in manual labor. This special garment became a potent symbol of Jacob's preferential love, which intensely fueled his brothers' jealousy and hatred, ultimately making it the perfect prop for their cruel deception in [Genesis 37:32](/genesis/37-32 "The Brothers' Deception").

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

Answer: The brothers chose this method for its effectiveness in creating a believable and emotionally devastating lie. The coat was an undeniable symbol of Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph, making its "discovery" a highly credible piece of evidence. Dipping it in goat's blood simulated a wild animal attack, a common and plausible threat in their ancient pastoral environment. This calculated act in [Genesis 37:32](/genesis/37-32 "The Brothers' Deception") was designed to inflict maximum emotional pain on Jacob by presenting "proof" of Joseph's violent demise, thereby effectively concealing their true crime of selling Joseph into slavery and deflecting any suspicion from themselves.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joseph, profoundly marked by the betrayal in [Genesis 37:32](/genesis/37-32 "The Brothers' Deception"), serves as a powerful **type** or foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. Joseph, the beloved son of his father, was unjustly rejected and betrayed by his own brothers, sold for a price (twenty shekels of silver, [Genesis 37:28](/genesis/37-28 "Joseph Sold into Slavery")), and presumed dead, yet through his suffering and descent into Egypt, he ultimately rose to a position of power and became the savior of his family and many nations from famine. This mirrors Jesus, the beloved Son of God ([Matthew 3:17](/matthew/3-17 "God's Affirmation of Jesus")), who was rejected and betrayed by His own people ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "Jesus Rejected by His Own")), sold for thirty pieces of silver ([Matthew 26:15](/matthew/26-15 "Judas's Betrayal")), and suffered a seemingly ignominious death on the cross. Yet, through His crucifixion and glorious resurrection ([Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Jesus' Resurrection for Our Justification")), Jesus 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 ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "Jesus Offers Abundant Life")). The blood-stained coat, though a symbol of a lie in Joseph's story, serves as a poignant, albeit inverted, foreshadowing of the shedding of innocent blood for a redemptive purpose—the very real, atoning blood of Christ, which brings true salvation and reconciliation ([Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Redemption Through Christ's Blood")).

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

Luke 15:30

But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

Genesis 44:20

And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.

Genesis 44:23

And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.

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.