Genesis 37:31

III.. BROKEN-HEARTED FATHER.

31. They took Joseph's coat... and dipped in the blood.

The conspirators having effected their crime, are next compelled to take steps to conceal it. One sin leads to another. They add deception and lying to their atrocious crime against their brother. They do not dare face their father's wrath, should the facts be made known. In the East, under the patriarchal rule, fear and reverence of the father, the ruler, was and is. marked characteristic. Hence they seek to make the impression that Joseph has been slain by. wild beast, and that his coat was stained with his own blood.