Genesis 37:6

KJV

And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559} unto them, Hear {H8085}, I pray you, this dream {H2472} which I have dreamed {H2492}:

Complete Jewish Bible

He said to them, "Listen while I tell you about this dream of mine.

Berean Standard Bible

He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had:

American Standard Version

And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Genesis 37:6](/genesis/37-6 "Joseph Shares His Dream") introduces Joseph, a seventeen-year-old, sharing his first divinely inspired dream with his brothers, setting the stage for his future elevation and their submission. This pivotal moment intensifies the existing sibling rivalry, fueled by Jacob's favoritism, and foreshadows God's sovereign plan to use Joseph's experiences for the preservation of his family and the nation of Israel.

### CONTEXT
In [Genesis 37:6](/genesis/37-6 "Joseph Shares His Dream"), we encounter Joseph, at the age of seventeen, sharing his first prophetic dream with his brothers. This verse is pivotal, introducing a key theme of divine communication through dreams that will characterize much of Joseph's narrative. At this point, Joseph was already an object of envy among his brothers because he was the favored son of Jacob's old age, and Jacob had made him a special coat, often translated as a "coat of many colours" ([Genesis 37:3](/genesis/37-3 "Jacob's Favoritism Towards Joseph")). Sharing this dream, which implicitly suggested his future authority over them, only intensified their jealousy and set the stage for the dramatic events that would follow, including their plot against him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The simple declaration "And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:" carries profound weight, initiating a narrative arc central to the book of Genesis. Joseph's request, "I pray you," though polite, underscores the urgency and significance he attributes to this experience, a divinely given vision of his future. The Hebrew word for "dream," *chalom* (חֲלוֹם), denotes a revelatory vision occurring during sleep, emphasizing that this was no mere fantasy but a direct communication from God. The repetition "dream which I have dreamed" further highlights the personal and vivid nature of the experience for Joseph, compelling him to share it immediately, perhaps without fully grasping the volatile implications for his already strained family relationships.

* **Divine Revelation Through Dreams:** This verse highlights God's method of communicating His future plans through dreams in the patriarchal era. Joseph's dreams were not mere fantasies but divinely inspired visions of his destiny, a common form of [divine communication in Genesis](/genesis/20-3 "God Speaks to Abimelech in a Dream").
* **Foreshadowing of Joseph's Elevation:** Joseph's simple request introduces a powerful prophecy. The dream itself, described in the [following verses](/genesis/37-7 "The Dream of Sheaves"), depicts his brothers' sheaves bowing down to his sheaf, clearly indicating his future position of authority and their submission. This foreshadows his eventual rise to power in Egypt.
* **Sibling Rivalry and Jealousy:** The act of sharing this dream, especially given the existing tension due to [Jacob's favoritism](/genesis/37-3 "Jacob's Love for Joseph"), immediately fuels the brothers' resentment. It underscores the destructive nature of envy within families, a recurring theme throughout the book of Genesis, often leading to tragic consequences.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Sin:** Joseph's dream and its subsequent unfolding demonstrate God's absolute sovereignty. Even when human actions are driven by jealousy, malice, or betrayal, God can orchestrate these events to accomplish His ultimate will, as He did in Joseph's life, eventually bringing about the salvation of his family and the preservation of Israel ([Genesis 45:7-8](/genesis/45-7 "Joseph's Explanation of God's Providence")).
* **The Power of Prophetic Word:** The dream, though initially a source of conflict, was a divine word of prophecy that ultimately came to pass. This highlights the reliability and certainty of God's revealed will, even when the path to its fulfillment is long and arduous.
* **Divine Guidance and Discernment:** For believers, this passage encourages an openness to how God might communicate His purposes. While direct prophetic dreams like Joseph's are less common today, God continues to guide through His Word, the Holy Spirit, circumstances, and the counsel of others, requiring discernment to understand His leading.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 37:6](/genesis/37-6 "Joseph Shares His Dream") serves as a poignant reminder that God often works in mysterious ways to unfold His purposes, even through seemingly simple or youthful declarations. It challenges us to consider the impact of our words, especially when sharing personal experiences or divine insights, recognizing that even well-intentioned communication can be misconstrued or ignite existing tensions. Ultimately, Joseph's story encourages us to trust in God's overarching plan, knowing that He can redeem even the most challenging circumstances for His glory and our good, teaching us patience and reliance on His perfect timing rather than our immediate understanding.

### FAQ
**Was Joseph aware of the full implications of his dream when he shared it?**

Answer: While Joseph clearly understood the dream's symbolic meaning of his future elevation and his family's submission, it is highly unlikely he comprehended the painful and circuitous path God would use to bring it to pass. His youthful innocence and directness in sharing the dream suggest he did not foresee the intense jealousy and suffering it would immediately provoke from his brothers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph, in [Genesis 37:6](/genesis/37-6 "Joseph Shares His Dream") and the subsequent narrative, serves as a powerful type of Christ. Like Joseph, who was favored by his father but rejected by his brothers and sold into slavery, Jesus was the beloved Son of God ([Matthew 3:17](/matthew/3-17 "God's Voice at Jesus' Baptism")) who "came to his own, and his own received him not" ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "The Word Made Flesh")). Both endured unjust suffering and humiliation, yet through their suffering, they were ultimately exalted to positions of authority—Joseph to save his family from famine, and Christ to save all humanity from sin and death ([Philippians 2:6-11](/philippians/2-6-11 "Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). Joseph's dream of his brothers bowing to him finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, to whom "every knee should bow" ([Philippians 2:10](/philippians/2-10 "Every Knee Shall Bow")).

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.