Genesis 37:1-11

Joseph Hated by his Brothers on Account of his Talebearing, his Father's Partiality, and his Dreams of Supremacy.

Genesis 37:1 a is certainly from P, but probably Genesis 37:2 b also. It gives a third reason for the hatred which Joseph excited; the rather priggish Joseph tells tales to Jacob about the children of his concubines. Nothing more is preserved from P till we reach Genesis 41:46 a. J's story (Genesis 37:3 f.) lays the blame on Jacob's partiality: he loved him because he was the son of his old age a curious statement in view of the fact that some of his half-brothers were younger than himself. Presumably he loved him because he was the son of his favourite wife. He made him a long garment with sleeves (mg.). Such a tunic was not worn by people who had to work (2 Samuel 13:18 mg.); the sleeves would be in the way, and the length, reaching to the feet instead of the knees, less convenient. E characteristically explains the envy as occasioned by Joseph's two dreams (the duplication indicating the certainty and speed of accomplishment, Genesis 41:32), which he could not keep to himself. The second, foretelling that father and mother will bow down, brings him reproof from Jacob, who, however, like Mary (Luke 2:19; Luke 2:51), ponders the omen in his heart. Observe that Jacob is here represented as practising agriculture (cf. Genesis 26:12).