Topical Encyclopedia The account of Joseph and his brethren is a poignant narrative found in the Book of Genesis, illustrating the destructive nature of hatred and jealousy within a family. Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob and the firstborn of Rachel, was favored by his father, which sowed seeds of discord among his brothers.Favoritism and Jealousy The root of the brothers' hatred can be traced to Jacob's overt favoritism towards Joseph. Genesis 37:3 states, "Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because he had been born to him in his old age, and he made him a robe of many colors." This special treatment incited jealousy among the brothers, as they perceived Joseph as a threat to their standing within the family. Joseph's Dreams Joseph's dreams further fueled the animosity. He recounted two dreams to his brothers, which symbolically suggested that he would one day rule over them. Genesis 37:5-8 recounts, "Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, 'Please listen to this dream I had. We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine.' '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." The Plot Against Joseph The brothers' hatred culminated in a plot to rid themselves of Joseph. When Joseph was sent by Jacob to check on his brothers in Shechem, they conspired against him. Genesis 37:18-20 describes their intentions: "When Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him. 'Here comes that dreamer!' they said to one another. 'Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal devoured him. Then we will see what becomes of his dreams!'" The Sale into Slavery Reuben, the eldest brother, intervened to prevent Joseph's murder, suggesting instead that they throw him into a pit, intending to rescue him later. However, while Reuben was absent, the brothers sold Joseph to a caravan of Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver, as recorded in Genesis 37:28 : "So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt." Deception and Grief To conceal their actions, the brothers dipped Joseph's robe in goat's blood and presented it to Jacob, leading him to believe that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. Genesis 37:34-35 describes Jacob's profound grief: "Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. 'No,' he said, 'I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.' So his father wept for him." Theological Implications The account of Joseph and his brothers serves as a powerful illustration of the destructive power of hatred and jealousy. It highlights the consequences of favoritism and the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative. Despite the brothers' initial malice, God's providence ultimately used their actions for a greater purpose, as Joseph later rose to a position of power in Egypt and was instrumental in preserving his family during a time of famine. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 37:4And when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library How Joseph was Thus Sold by his Brethren into Egypt, by Reason of ... How Joseph, the Youngest of Jacob's Sons, was Envied by his ... Chapter xxxvii The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of ... The Trials and visions of Devout Youth On the Righteousness and Efficacy of the Providence of God ... Almighty. Endurance of the World's Censure. Man's Passions and God's Purpose The Sinner's Excuses Answered Resources What does the Bible say about misanthropy? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is misotheism? What is a misotheist? | GotQuestions.org How should a Christian view misandry? | GotQuestions.org Hatred: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Hatred to Christ is on Account of his Testimony Against the World Hatred to Christ is Without Cause Hatred to Christ: Chief Priests Hatred to Christ: Involves: Hatred to his Father Hatred to Christ: Involves: Hatred to his People Hatred to Christ: No Escape for Those Who Persevere In Hatred to Christ: Punishment of Hatred: Against Iniquity, Justified Hatred: Inconsistent With: Liars Prone To Hatred: Inconsistent With: The Knowledge of God Hatred: Inconsistent With: The Love of God Hatred: Often Cloaked by Deceit Hatred: Saints should Give No Cause For Hatred: Saints should not Marvel At Hatred: Saints should not Rejoice in the Calamities of Those Who Exhibit Hatred: Saints should Return Good For Hatred: Scriptures Relating To Hatred: The Wicked Exhibit: Towards Each Other Hatred: The Wicked Exhibit: Towards God Hatred: The Wicked Exhibit: Towards Saints Hatred: we should Exhibit Against: Backsliding Hatred: we should Exhibit Against: Evil Hatred: we should Exhibit Against: False Ways Hatred: we should Exhibit Against: Hatred and Opposition to God Hatred: we should Exhibit Against: Lying Related Terms |
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