Genesis 37 - New International Version (NIV)

Joseph’s Dreams

37 Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed,(A) the land of Canaan.(B)

2 This is the account(C) of Jacob’s family line.

Joseph,(D) a young man of seventeen,(E) was tending the flocks(F) with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah(G) and the sons of Zilpah,(H) his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report(I) about them.

3 Now Israel(J) loved Joseph more than any of his other sons,(K) because he had been born to him in his old age;(L) and he made an ornate[a] robe(M) for him.(N) 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him(O) and could not speak a kind word to him.

5 Joseph had a dream,(P) and when he told it to his brothers,(Q) they hated him all the more.(R) 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves(S) of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”(T)

8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?”(U) And they hated him all the more(V) because of his dream and what he had said.

9 Then he had another dream,(W) and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars(X) were bowing down to me.”(Y)

10 When he told his father as well as his brothers,(Z) his father rebuked(AA) him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?”(AB) 11 His brothers were jealous of him,(AC) but his father kept the matter in mind.(AD)

Joseph Sold by His Brothers

12 Now his brothers had gone to graze their father’s flocks near Shechem,(AE) 13 and Israel(AF) said to Joseph, “As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem.(AG) Come, I am going to send you to them.”

“Very well,” he replied.

14 So he said to him, “Go and see if all is well with your brothers(AH) and with the flocks, and bring word back to me.” Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron.(AI)

When Joseph arrived at Shechem, 15 a man found him wandering around in the fields and asked him, “What are you looking for?”

16 He replied, “I’m looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?”

17 “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.(AJ)’”

So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. 18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.(AK)

19 “Here comes that dreamer!(AL)” they said to each other. 20 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns(AM) and say that a ferocious animal(AN) devoured him.(AO) Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”(AP)

21 When Reuben(AQ) heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said.(AR) 22 “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern(AS) here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.(AT)

23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe(AU) he was wearing— 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern.(AV) The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.

25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites(AW) coming from Gilead.(AX) Their camels were loaded with spices, balm(AY) and myrrh,(AZ) and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.(BA)

26 Judah(BB) said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?(BC) 27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother,(BD) our own flesh and blood.(BE)” His brothers agreed.

28 So when the Midianite(BF) merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern(BG) and sold(BH) him for twenty shekels[b] of silver(BI) to the Ishmaelites,(BJ) who took him to Egypt.(BK)

29 When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes.(BL) 30 He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”(BM)

31 Then they got Joseph’s robe,(BN) slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood.(BO) 32 They took the ornate robe(BP) back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.”

33 He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal(BQ) has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.”(BR)

34 Then Jacob tore his clothes,(BS) put on sackcloth(BT) and mourned for his son many days.(BU) 35 All his sons and daughters came to comfort him,(BV) but he refused to be comforted.(BW) “No,” he said, “I will continue to mourn until I join my son(BX) in the grave.(BY)” So his father wept for him.

36 Meanwhile, the Midianites[c](BZ) sold Joseph(CA) in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.(CB)

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 37:3 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain; also in verses 23 and 32.
  2. Genesis 37:28 That is, about 8 ounces or about 230 grams
  3. Genesis 37:36 Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac (see also verse 28); Masoretic Text Medanites

Cross references

  1. Genesis 37:1 : S Ge 17:8
  2. Genesis 37:1 : S Ge 10:19
  3. Genesis 37:2 : S Ge 2:4
  4. Genesis 37:2 : S Ge 30:24
  5. Genesis 37:2 : Ge 41:46; 2Sa 5:4
  6. Genesis 37:2 : Ge 46:32; 1Sa 16:11; 17:15; Ps 78:71; Am 7:15
  7. Genesis 37:2 : Ge 35:25
  8. Genesis 37:2 : Ge 35:26
  9. Genesis 37:2 : 1Sa 2:24
  10. Genesis 37:3 : S Ge 17:5
  11. Genesis 37:3 : S Ge 25:28
  12. Genesis 37:3 : Ge 43:27; 44:20
  13. Genesis 37:3 : ver 23, 31, 32; 2Sa 13:18-19
  14. Genesis 37:3 : Ge 43:34; 45:22; 1Sa 1:4-5; Est 2:9
  15. Genesis 37:4 : S ver 24; S Ge 27:41; Ac 7:9
  16. Genesis 37:5 : S Ge 20:3; S 28:12
  17. Genesis 37:5 : ver 10
  18. Genesis 37:5 : ver 8
  19. Genesis 37:7 : Ru 2:7, 15
  20. Genesis 37:7 : ver 9, 10; Ge 27:29; 42:6, 9; 43:26, 28; 44:14; 50:18; 2Sa 1:2; 9:6
  21. Genesis 37:8 : Ge 41:44; 42:10; 44:16, 18; 48:22; 49:26; Dt 33:16
  22. Genesis 37:8 : ver 5
  23. Genesis 37:9 : S ver 7; Ge 28:12
  24. Genesis 37:9 : Rev 12:1
  25. Genesis 37:9 : Dt 4:19; 17:3
  26. Genesis 37:10 : ver 5
  27. Genesis 37:10 : Ru 2:16; Ps 9:5; 68:30; 106:9; 119:21; Isa 17:13; 54:9; Zec 3:2
  28. Genesis 37:10 : S ver 7; S Ge 9:25; S 33:3
  29. Genesis 37:11 : Ge 26:14; Ac 7:9
  30. Genesis 37:11 : Lk 2:19, 51
  31. Genesis 37:12 : S Ge 12:6
  32. Genesis 37:13 : S Ge 17:5
  33. Genesis 37:13 : Ge 33:19
  34. Genesis 37:14 : 1Sa 17:18
  35. Genesis 37:14 : S Ge 13:18
  36. Genesis 37:17 : 2Ki 6:13
  37. Genesis 37:18 : 1Sa 19:1; 2Ch 24:21; Ps 31:13, 20; 37:12, 32; S Mt 12:14; Mk 14:1; Ac 23:12
  38. Genesis 37:19 : S Ge 28:12
  39. Genesis 37:20 : ver 22; Jer 38:6, 9
  40. Genesis 37:20 : ver 33; Lev 26:6, 22; Dt 32:24; 2Ki 17:25; Eze 34:25
  41. Genesis 37:20 : ver 31-33; S Ge 4:10
  42. Genesis 37:20 : Ge 50:20
  43. Genesis 37:21 : S Ge 29:32
  44. Genesis 37:21 : Ge 42:22
  45. Genesis 37:22 : S ver 20
  46. Genesis 37:22 : ver 29-30
  47. Genesis 37:23 : ver 3
  48. Genesis 37:24 : S ver 4; Ge 49:23; Jer 38:6; 41:7; Eze 22:27
  49. Genesis 37:25 : S Ge 16:11
  50. Genesis 37:25 : S Ge 31:21; S SS 4:1
  51. Genesis 37:25 : Jer 8:22; 22:6; 46:11
  52. Genesis 37:25 : Ge 43:11; Ex 30:23; Ps 45:8; Pr 7:17; SS 1:13; Mt 2:11
  53. Genesis 37:25 : ver 28; Ge 39:1; Ps 105:17
  54. Genesis 37:26 : S Ge 29:35
  55. Genesis 37:26 : S Ge 4:10
  56. Genesis 37:27 : Ge 42:21
  57. Genesis 37:27 : S Ge 29:14
  58. Genesis 37:28 : S Ge 25:2
  59. Genesis 37:28 : Jer 38:13
  60. Genesis 37:28 : Ex 21:16
  61. Genesis 37:28 : Lev 27:5; Mt 26:15
  62. Genesis 37:28 : S Ge 16:11
  63. Genesis 37:28 : ver 36; Ge 39:1; 45:4-5; Ps 105:17; Jer 12:6; Ac 7:9
  64. Genesis 37:29 : ver 34; Ge 44:13; Nu 14:6; Jos 7:6; 2Sa 1:11; 2Ki 2:12; 5:7; 11:14; 22:11; Job 1:20; 2:12; Isa 36:22; 37:1; Jer 36:24; 41:5; Joel 2:13
  65. Genesis 37:30 : ver 22
  66. Genesis 37:31 : S ver 3
  67. Genesis 37:31 : Rev 19:13
  68. Genesis 37:32 : S ver 3
  69. Genesis 37:33 : S ver 20
  70. Genesis 37:33 : Ge 42:13, 38; 44:20, 28
  71. Genesis 37:34 : S ver 29
  72. Genesis 37:34 : 2Sa 3:31; 1Ki 20:31; 21:27; 2Ki 6:30; 19:1, 2; Job 16:15; Ps 69:11; Isa 3:24; 15:3; 22:12; 32:11; 37:1; Jer 48:37; 49:3; Joel 1:13
  73. Genesis 37:34 : Ge 50:3, 10, 11; Nu 20:29; Dt 34:8
  74. Genesis 37:35 : Job 2:11; 15:11; 16:5; 42:11
  75. Genesis 37:35 : 2Sa 12:17; Ps 77:2; Jer 31:15
  76. Genesis 37:35 : 2Sa 12:23
  77. Genesis 37:35 : Ge 42:38; 44:22, 29, 31
  78. Genesis 37:36 : S Ge 25:2
  79. Genesis 37:36 : S ver 28
  80. Genesis 37:36 : Ge 39:1; 40:3; 41:10, 12; 1Sa 22:14

You Might Also Like:

Genesis 37 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

37 And Jacob dwelleth in the land of his father's sojournings -- in the land of Canaan. 2 These [are] births of Jacob: Joseph, a son of seventeen years, hath been enjoying himself with his brethren among the flock, (and he [is] a youth,) with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his fath...
Read More

Genesis 37 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

37 Forsooth Jacob dwelled in the land of Canaan, in which his father was a pilgrim; (And Jacob lived in the land of Canaan, where his father was a foreigner;) 2 and these were the generations of him. Joseph when he was of sixteen years, yet a child, kept a flock with his brethren, and he was with th...
Read More

Genesis 37 - World English Bible (WEB)

37 Jacob lived in the land of his father’s travels, in the land of Canaan. 2 This is the history of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. Joseph brought an evil repor...
Read More

Genesis 37 - The Voice (VOICE)

God’s promises are not exclusive. As Isaac’s son, Esau becomes great in the land of Seir, a land to the south and east of the Dead Sea. He has sons and daughters, many of whom go on to become tribal chiefs and influential leaders among the people known as the Edomites. But the story now returns to J...
Read More

Genesis 37 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Parashat VayeshevJoseph, Favored Son37 Now Jacob dwelled in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan. 2 These are the genealogies of Jacob.When Joseph was 17 years old (he was a youth), he was shepherding the flocks with his brothers—with the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah ...
Read More

Genesis 37 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Joseph Dreams of Greatness37 Jacob dwelt in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan. 2 This is the history of the family of Jacob.[a]Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a lad with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wive...
Read More

Genesis 37 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Joseph Dreams of Greatness37 Jacob dwelt in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan. 2 This is the history of the family of Jacob.Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a lad with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives; ...
Read More

Genesis 37 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Joseph Dreams of Greatness37 Jacob settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan. 2 This is the story of the family of Jacob.Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’...
Read More

Genesis 37 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Joseph Dreams of Greatness37 Jacob settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan.(A)2 These are the descendants of Jacob.Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wiv...
Read More

Genesis 37 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Joseph’s Dreams37 So Jacob settled again in the land of Canaan, where his father had lived as a foreigner. 2 This is the account of Jacob and his family. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks. He worked for his half brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah a...
Read More

Genesis 37 - New Life Version (NLV)

Joseph’s Dream37 Jacob lived in the land where his father had lived as a stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2 This is the story of the children of Jacob and of their children.When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was caring for the flock with his brothers. The boy was with the sons of Bilhah and Zi...
Read More

Genesis 37 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Joseph Dreams of Greatness37 Now Jacob dwelt in the land (A)where his father was a [a]stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2 This is the history of Jacob.Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his fathe...
Read More

Genesis 37 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Joseph’s dreams37 Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan. 2 This is the account of Jacob’s family line.Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their fath...
Read More

Genesis 37 - New International Version (NIV)

Joseph’s Dreams37 Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed,(A) the land of Canaan.(B) 2 This is the account(C) of Jacob’s family line.Joseph,(D) a young man of seventeen,(E) was tending the flocks(F) with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah(G) and the sons of Zilpah,(H) his father’s wives, a...
Read More

Genesis 37 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Joseph Has Two Dreams37 Jacob lived in the land of Canaan. It’s the land where his father had stayed. 2 Here is the story of the family line of Jacob.Joseph was a young man. He was 17 years old. He was taking care of the flocks with some of his brothers. They were the sons of Bilhah and the sons of ...
Read More

Genesis 37 - New English Translation (NET)

Joseph’s Dreams37 But Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed,[a] in the land of Canaan.[b] 2 This is the account of Jacob.Joseph, his seventeen-year-old son,[c] was taking care of[d] the flocks with his brothers. Now he was a youngster[e] working with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his ...
Read More