Genesis 37:8

KJV

And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.

KJV (with Strong's)

And his brethren {H251} said {H559} to him, Shalt thou indeed {H4427} reign {H4427} over us? or shalt thou indeed {H4910} have dominion {H4910} over us? And they hated {H8130} him yet the more {H3254} for his dreams {H2472}, and for his words {H1697}.

Complete Jewish Bible

His brothers retorted, "Yes, you will certainly be our king. You'll do a great job of bossing us around!"And they hated him still more for his dreams and for what he said.

Berean Standard Bible

“Do you intend to reign over us?” his brothers asked. “Will you actually rule us?” So they hated him even more because of his dream and his statements.

American Standard Version

And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 37:8 powerfully encapsulates the escalating tension and profound animosity within Jacob's family, detailing the brothers' visceral, sarcastic rejection of Joseph's prophetic dreams and the words by which he conveyed them. This verse marks a critical inflection point, revealing the depth of their resentment and setting the stage for the dramatic, divinely orchestrated events that follow, fueled by their disbelief and indignation at the very notion of Joseph's future authority over them.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Joseph's recounting of his first dream, where his brothers' sheaves of grain bowed down to his own sheaf, a clear symbol of future subservience and authority. The preceding verses establish Joseph as Jacob's favored son, distinguished by the "coat of many colors" [Genesis 37:3](/genesis/37-3 "Jacob's special coat for Joseph"), which already fueled his brothers' profound envy and hatred. Joseph's dreams, rather than being kept private, are openly shared, intensifying the existing familial friction. This direct confrontation in Genesis 37:8 serves as the immediate catalyst for the brothers' plot against Joseph, culminating in his sale into slavery in [Genesis 37:28](/genesis/37-28 "Joseph sold into slavery"), thus propelling the narrative forward toward the fulfillment of God's wider redemptive plan for the nascent nation of Israel.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern patriarchal societies, birth order typically dictated authority and inheritance. Joseph, as the second youngest of Jacob's twelve sons (and the firstborn of his favored wife, Rachel), was an anomaly in receiving such overt favoritism and prophetic visions of leadership. Dreams were often considered significant divine communications, and a dream predicting one's rule over family members would be taken seriously, not as mere fantasy. The brothers' reaction reflects the intense competition for status, inheritance, and their father's blessing common in such family structures, where the idea of a younger brother reigning over older ones would be seen as a profound disruption of social and familial order, a direct challenge to their honor and future.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 37:8 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the recurring theme of **sibling rivalry**, often exacerbated by parental favoritism, as seen earlier with Cain and Abel [Genesis 4:5](/genesis/4-5 "Cain's envy leading to Abel's murder") and Jacob and Esau [Genesis 27](/genesis/27 "Jacob and Esau's rivalry"). The verse also underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty**, demonstrating how God's purposes are revealed and ultimately fulfilled despite human resistance and sin. Joseph's dreams are a clear instance of **prophetic revelation**, foreshadowing his future role in preserving his family and the nation of Israel, a theme that echoes throughout the patriarchs' stories, where God's promises are gradually unfolded through their lives, often in unexpected ways, as seen in God's covenant with Abraham in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's call and promise to Abraham").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **reign (Hebrew, _mâlak'_):** From H4427, a primitive root meaning "to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence (by implication) to take counsel." The brothers' sarcastic question uses this term, indicating their clear understanding that Joseph's dream implied a kingly, authoritative rule over them, a notion they found utterly repulsive and challenging to their established familial hierarchy.
* **dominion (Hebrew, _mâshal'_):** From H4910, a primitive root meaning "to rule; (have, make to have) dominion, governor, [idiom] indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule(-ing, -r), have power." This word reinforces and intensifies the meaning of "reign," emphasizing the exercise of power and control. By using both terms, the brothers underscore their perception that Joseph's dreams were a direct claim to absolute authority over their lives and future.
* **hated (Hebrew, _sânêʼ'_):** From H8130, a primitive root meaning "to hate (personally); enemy, foe, (be) hate(-ful, -r), odious, [idiom] utterly." This verb explicitly describes the brothers' deep-seated and personal animosity towards Joseph, which was not merely dislike but a profound, active hatred that would drive them to extreme actions.
* **dreams (Hebrew, _chălôwm'_):** From H2472, meaning "a dream; dream(-er)." This term refers to the divinely inspired visions Joseph received. For the brothers, these dreams were not innocent fantasies but perceived claims to superiority that directly threatened their status and future, serving as the primary catalyst for their intensified hatred.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And his brethren said to him,"**: This introduces the brothers' direct, confrontational response to Joseph's recounting of his dream. It highlights the immediate and personal nature of their reaction, indicating a collective and unified opposition.
* **"Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us?"**: These rhetorical questions are laden with sarcasm, contempt, and disbelief. The repetition ("indeed reign... indeed have dominion") emphasizes their scorn and the perceived audacity of Joseph's claims. It reveals their deep-seated resentment at the idea of a younger brother, already favored by their father, exercising any form of authority over them, who were older and felt entitled to leadership.
* **"And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words."**: This clause explicitly states the intensification of their existing animosity. Their hatred was not new, but Joseph's dreams, interpreted as arrogant claims to superiority, served as a potent catalyst. The phrase "and for his words" indicates that Joseph's straightforward, perhaps naive, manner of recounting these dreams further inflamed their anger, turning potential prophetic insight into perceived boastfulness. This dual cause—the content of the dreams and the manner of their telling—fueled their escalating malice.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 37:8 employs several potent literary devices to convey the escalating familial conflict. The brothers' rhetorical questions, "Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us?", are a clear example of **Sarcasm**, conveying their contempt and disbelief through an ironic tone. This is further amplified by **Repetition** of the emphatic "indeed" and the synonymous verbs "reign" and "have dominion," which underscore the perceived outrageousness of Joseph's claims and their utter rejection of such a possibility. The phrase "hated him yet the more" is a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme and growing nature of their animosity, suggesting their hatred reached new, dangerous levels. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as **Foreshadowing**, as the brothers' angry questions ironically anticipate the very future that will indeed come to pass, where Joseph will hold authority over them, demonstrating the narrative's underlying theme of divine providence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 37:8 serves as a stark illustration of the destructive power of human sin, particularly envy and pride, within the context of God's sovereign plan. The brothers' hatred, fueled by Jacob's favoritism and Joseph's perceived arrogance, highlights how unchecked resentment can fester and lead to extreme actions. Yet, even in this dark display of human malice, the narrative subtly points to God's overarching purpose. The dreams, though scorned, are divinely inspired, revealing a future that God intends to bring about. The brothers' sinful response, far from thwarting God's plan, unwittingly becomes a crucial step in its fulfillment, showcasing God's ability to orchestrate His will even through human rebellion and suffering. This tension between human responsibility and divine sovereignty is a foundational theological concept woven throughout the biblical narrative.

* [Genesis 4:5](/genesis/4-5 "Cain's envy leading to Abel's murder"): Cain's murderous envy of Abel due to divine favor foreshadows the brothers' hatred of Joseph.
* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's understanding of God's purpose in his suffering"): Joseph's later declaration to his brothers, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good," perfectly encapsulates the theological truth of God's sovereignty over human sin.
* [Psalm 76:10](/psalms/76-10 "God makes the wrath of man to praise Him"): This psalm affirms that even the wrath of humanity will ultimately serve God's purposes, with any excess wrath being restrained by Him.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 37:8 offers profound insights for contemporary life, serving as a powerful warning against the corrosive effects of envy, pride, and unchecked resentment within relationships, especially familial ones. The brothers' intense hatred, fueled by favoritism and a perceived threat to their status, reminds us that bitterness can fester into destructive actions if not confronted and repented of. This passage also challenges us to consider our own reactions when confronted with truths or circumstances that challenge our preconceived notions or threaten our comfort. Do we resist God's unfolding plan when it doesn't align with our expectations, or do we trust in His sovereign wisdom? Furthermore, while Joseph's dreams were divinely inspired, his youthful and perhaps tactless sharing of them exacerbated his brothers' animosity. This underscores the importance of wisdom, humility, and discernment in communicating truth, even when it is from God, recognizing that the manner of delivery can significantly impact reception. Ultimately, the narrative encourages us to trust in God's overarching providence, knowing that He can weave even the darkest threads of human sin and suffering into a tapestry of redemptive purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does unchecked envy or favoritism, as seen in Joseph's family, manifest in relationships today, and what steps can be taken to prevent its destructive impact?**
* **When faced with circumstances that seem unfair or challenging to our authority, how can we cultivate a posture of trust in God's sovereignty rather than succumbing to resentment or resistance?**
* **Considering Joseph's "words" in this verse, what lessons can we learn about the importance of wisdom and humility in communicating truths, even divinely revealed ones, to avoid unnecessary offense?**

### FAQ

**Why did Joseph's brothers react with such intense hatred?**

Answer: Joseph's brothers already harbored deep resentment due to their father Jacob's overt favoritism towards him, symbolized by the special "coat of many colors" [Genesis 37:3](/genesis/37-3 "Jacob's special coat for Joseph"). When Joseph recounted his dreams, which clearly depicted his future superiority and their subservience to him [Genesis 37:7](/genesis/37-7 "Joseph's first dream of sheaves bowing"), they interpreted these as arrogant claims to authority and a direct challenge to their birthright and status. This perceived arrogance, combined with their existing envy and the cultural expectation of elder brother supremacy, ignited their hatred to an even greater degree, leading to their sarcastic questions and a desire to eliminate the perceived threat he represented.

**Were Joseph's dreams truly prophetic, or just childish fantasies?**

Answer: Joseph's dreams were indeed divinely inspired and genuinely prophetic. They were not mere childish fantasies but direct revelations from God concerning His future plans for Joseph and his family. The subsequent narrative of Genesis meticulously confirms their prophetic nature, as they were fulfilled years later when Joseph rose to power in Egypt and his brothers, facing severe famine, came to him for aid and literally bowed down before him, just as the dreams foretold [Genesis 42:6](/genesis/42-6 "Joseph's brothers bow before him in Egypt") and [Genesis 43:26](/genesis/43-26 "Joseph's brothers bow before him again").

**How does human hatred, like that of Joseph's brothers, fit into God's divine plan?**

Answer: The Bible frequently illustrates how God, in His sovereign wisdom, can use human sin and malice to accomplish His righteous purposes, even without condoning or excusing the sin itself. In Joseph's case, the brothers' hatred and their subsequent actions (selling him into slavery) were integral parts of God's larger, redemptive plan to preserve the nascent nation of Israel during a severe famine and to elevate Joseph to a position where he could save many lives. Joseph himself later articulated this profound theological truth to his brothers, telling them, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today" [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's understanding of God's purpose in his suffering").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's story, particularly his rejection by his own brothers as depicted in Genesis 37:8, serves as a profound and multifaceted type of Christ. Like Joseph, Jesus was "despised and rejected by men" [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and rejected"), scorned by His own people, the very ones He came to save, who questioned His authority and kingship, asking, "Is not this the carpenter's son?" [Matthew 13:55](/matthew/13-55 "Matthew 13:55 - Jesus, the carpenter's son"). Joseph's suffering, betrayal, and eventual exaltation to a position of power through which he saved his family from death, strikingly foreshadow Christ's suffering, crucifixion, and ultimate resurrection and exaltation. Through His rejection and sacrificial death, Jesus became the means of salvation for all humanity, bringing life out of death and reconciliation out of hostility, just as Joseph brought salvation and provision to his family despite their initial hatred and betrayal. This narrative beautifully illustrates how God uses the rejection of His chosen ones to bring about ultimate redemption, culminating in the saving work of the Lamb of God [John 1:29](/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

1 Samuel 10:27

But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.

Acts 7:35

This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send [to be] a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.

Psalms 2:3

Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

Psalms 2:6

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

Genesis 49:26

The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

Luke 20:17

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

Luke 19:14

But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this [man] to reign over us.