Genesis 37:32
New International Version
They took the ornate robe back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.”

New Living Translation
They sent the beautiful robe to their father with this message: “Look at what we found. Doesn’t this robe belong to your son?”

English Standard Version
And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is 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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, “We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son’s tunic or not?”

New American Standard Bible
and they sent the multicolored tunic and brought it to their father and said, “We found this; please examine it to see whether it is your son’s tunic or not.”

NASB 1995
and they sent the varicolored tunic and brought it to their father and said, “We found this; please examine it to see whether it is your son’s tunic or not.”

NASB 1977
and they sent the varicolored tunic and brought it to their father and said, “We found this; please examine it to see whether it is your son’s tunic or not.”

Legacy Standard Bible
and they sent the varicolored tunic and brought it to their father and said, “We found this; please recognize it—whether it is your son’s tunic or not.”

Amplified Bible
and they brought the multicolored tunic to their father, saying, “We have found this; please examine it and decide whether or not it is your son’s tunic.”

Christian Standard Bible
They sent the long-sleeved robe to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it. Is it your son’s robe or not? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They sent the robe of many colors to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it. Is it 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.

Contemporary English Version
After this, they took the coat to their father and said, "We found this! Look at it carefully and see if it belongs to your son."

English Revised Version
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 not.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then they brought the special robe with long sleeves to their father and said, "We found this. You better examine it to see whether it's your son's robe or not."

Good News Translation
They took the robe to their father and said, "We found this. Does it belong to your son?"

International Standard Version
Then they stretched out the richly-embroidered tunic to dry, and brought it to their father. "We've found this," they reported. "Look at it and see if this is or isn't your son's tunic."

Majority 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.?

NET Bible
Then they brought the special tunic to their father and said, "We found this. Determine now whether it is your son's tunic or not."

New Heart English Bible
And they sent the long ornamented robe and they brought it to their father, and said, "We found this. Please examine it to see whether it is your son?s robe or not."

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
They took the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father, and said, “We have found this. Examine it, now, and see if it is your son’s tunic or not.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and send the long coat, and they bring [it] to their father, and say, “We have found this; please discern whether it [is] your son’s coat or not.”

Young's Literal Translation
and send the long coat, and they bring it in unto their father, and say, 'This have we found; discern, we pray thee, whether it is thy son's coat or not?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will send the tunic, reaching down to the soles of the feet, and will bring to their father, and they will say, We found this: recognise now, is this thy son's tunic or not?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Sending some to carry it to their father, and to say: This we have found: see whether it be thy son's coat, or not.

Catholic Public Domain Version
sending those who carried it to their father, and they said: “We found this. See whether it is the tunic of your son or not.”

New American Bible
Then they sent someone to bring the long ornamented tunic to their father, with the message: “We found this. See whether it is your son’s tunic or not.”

New Revised Standard Version
They had the long robe with sleeves taken to their father, and they said, “This we have found; see now whether it is your son’s robe or not.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they sent the robe with long sleeves, and they brought it to their father; and said, This we have found: know now whether it be your son's coat or not.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they sent the coat of long sleeves and they brought it to their father and they said, “We found this; see if this is your son's coat or not.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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 is thy son's coat or not.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they sent the coat of many colours; and they brought it to their father, and said, This have we found; know if it be thy son's coat or no.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob Mourns Joseph
31Then they took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood. 32They 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.” 33His father recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! A vicious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!”…

Cross References
Genesis 37:31
Then they took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood.

Genesis 44:28
When one of them was gone, I said: “Surely he has been torn to pieces.” And I have not seen him since.

Genesis 44:20
And we answered, ‘We have an elderly father and a younger brother, the child of his old age. The boy’s brother is dead. He is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’

Genesis 42:13
But they answered, “Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”

Genesis 42:21-22
Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” / And Reuben responded, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!”

Genesis 45:26
“Joseph is still alive,” they said, “and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!” But Jacob was stunned, for he did not believe them.

Genesis 50:15-18
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him.” / So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded, / ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. ...

1 Kings 21:8-14
Then Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. / In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people. / But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” ...

2 Samuel 13:30-33
While they were on the way, a report reached David: “Absalom has struck down all the sons of the king; not one of them is left!” / Then the king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay down on the ground. And all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. / But Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah, spoke up: “My lord must not think they have killed all the sons of the king, for only Amnon is dead. In fact, Absalom has planned this since the day Amnon violated his sister Tamar. ...

Jeremiah 31:15
This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Matthew 27:24-25
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.” / All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

Matthew 26:14-16
Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests / and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. / So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Matthew 26:48-50
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. / “Friend,” Jesus replied, “do what you came for.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him.

Matthew 27:3-5
When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. / “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.” / So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

Acts 7:9
Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him


Treasury of Scripture

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 be your son's coat or no.

thy son's.

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.

Genesis 44:20-23
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…

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.

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Genesis 37
1. Joseph is loved by Jacob, but hated by his brothers.
5. His dreams and the interpretation.
12. Jacob sends him to his brothers, who counsel to slay him.
21. At Reuben's desire they cast him into a pit;
25. and afterwards sell him to the Ishmaelites;
29. while Ruben grieves at not finding him.
31. His coat, covered with blood, is sent to Jacob, who mourns him inordinately.
36. Joseph is brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar.














They sent
The phrase "They sent" indicates an action taken by Joseph's brothers to distance themselves from the direct confrontation with their father, Jacob. In Hebrew, the verb "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach) often implies a deliberate action with intent. This reflects the brothers' calculated decision to deceive their father without facing him directly, highlighting their moral decline and the severity of their jealousy and hatred towards Joseph.

the robe of many colors
The "robe of many colors" (כְּתֹנֶת פַּסִּים, ketonet passim) is a significant symbol in Joseph's narrative. This robe, a gift from Jacob, represented favoritism and special status. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, such garments were often associated with nobility or a position of honor. The brothers' act of sending the robe, now stained with goat's blood, symbolizes their attempt to strip Joseph of his favored status and deceive their father into believing Joseph is dead.

to their father
The phrase "to their father" emphasizes the personal and familial betrayal involved. Jacob, the patriarch, is the intended recipient of this deceitful message. The Hebrew word for father (אָב, av) carries connotations of authority, lineage, and deep familial bonds. The brothers' actions not only betray Joseph but also deeply wound their father, disrupting the family structure and causing profound grief.

and said
The phrase "and said" introduces the brothers' verbal deception. In Hebrew narrative, speech often reveals character and intent. Here, the brothers' words are carefully chosen to maintain their deceit while avoiding direct lies. This reflects their cunning nature and the depth of their moral corruption.

We found this
The statement "We found this" is deliberately vague and misleading. The brothers present the robe as an object discovered by chance, absolving themselves of responsibility. This phrase is a classic example of deceit by omission, where the truth is manipulated by what is left unsaid. It highlights the brothers' willingness to deceive their father without directly lying.

Examine it
The command "Examine it" (הַכֶּר־נָא, haker-na) is an invitation for Jacob to identify the robe. This phrase is loaded with irony, as the brothers know full well the robe's significance and origin. The use of this phrase places the burden of discovery on Jacob, further illustrating the brothers' cowardice and manipulation.

to see whether it is your son’s robe
The phrase "to see whether it is your son’s robe" is a final, cruel twist in the brothers' deception. By referring to Joseph as "your son" rather than "our brother," they distance themselves emotionally and relationally from Joseph. This language underscores the depth of their animosity and the fracture within the family. The phrase also manipulates Jacob's emotions, forcing him to confront the possibility of his beloved son's death.

(32) They brought it.--Heb., they caused it to go, that is, sent it by the hand of a messenger. They were unwilling to see the first burst of their father's agony.

And said.--These were the words that were to be spoken by the messenger who was charged to bear the coat to Jacob.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They sent
וַֽיְשַׁלְּח֞וּ (way·šal·lə·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

the robe
כְּתֹ֣נֶת (kə·ṯō·neṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3801: A shirt

of many colors
הַפַּסִּ֗ים (hap·pas·sîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6446: Flat (of the hand or foot)

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

their father
אֲבִיהֶ֔ם (’ă·ḇî·hem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

and said,
וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“We found
מָצָ֑אנוּ (mā·ṣā·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

this.
זֹ֣את (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

Examine it
הַכֶּר־ (hak·ker-)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5234: To regard, recognize

to see whether
נָ֗א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

it [is]
הִ֖וא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

your son’s
בִּנְךָ֛ (bin·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

robe
הַכְּתֹ֧נֶת (hak·kə·ṯō·neṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3801: A shirt

or
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

not.”
לֹֽא׃ (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no


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OT Law: Genesis 37:32 They took the coat of many colors (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 37:31
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