_A.M. 2275. B.C. 1729._
At this chapter begins the story of Joseph, Jacob's eldest son by his
beloved wife Rachel. We have,
( 1,) _ The malice his brethren bore against him: they hated him, 1,
Because he informed his father of their wickedness, Genesis 37:1;
Genesis 37:2, Because his father loved... [ Continue Reading ]
_These are the generations of Jacob_ The events or occurrences which
happened to Jacob in his family and issue; as the word is used, chap.
Genesis 6:9, and Numbers 3:1. The genealogy of Esau, which was brought
in by way of parenthesis, being finished, Moses returns to the family
of Jacob, and procee... [ Continue Reading ]
_The son of his old age_ Born when Jacob was ninety-one years old.
Such children are commonly best beloved of their parents. Several of
the ancient translations, _Chaldee, Persian, Arabic_, and _Samaritan_,
render the words a _wise or prudent son, old age_ being an emblem of
prudence; one born old,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Joseph dreamed a dream_ Which it is probable he did not understand at
first, and therefore, in great simplicity, told it to his brethren;
for, had he understood it, he certainly would not have mentioned it to
them, for he could not but know they were likely to make an evil
construction and use of i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field_ This was a secret
intimation of the occasion of Joseph's advancement, which was from his
counsel and care about the corn in Egypt. _Your sheaves stood round
about _ A posture this of ministry and service; _and made obeisance to
my sheaf_ How wonderfully... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shalt thou indeed reign over us?_ See here, 1st, How truly they
interpreted his dream! The event exactly answered this interpretation,
Genesis 42:6, &c. 2d, How scornfully they resented it, _Shalt thou_,
that art but one, _reign over us_, that are many? Thou that art the
youngest, over us that are... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yet another dream_ The repetition of the same thing in another shape,
might have taught them that it was both certain and very observable.
_Behold the sun and the moon His father and mother_, here signified by
the sun and moon, were not represented in the first dream, because, in
the event, his bre... [ Continue Reading ]
_He told it to his father_ The dream was so strongly impressed upon
his mind, and that, no doubt, by the Spirit of God, that he could not
rest till he had acquainted his father with it. _His father rebuked
him_ Not through anger or contempt of his dream, for it follows, _he
observed it;_ but partly... [ Continue Reading ]
_But his father observed the saying_ The words of Joseph, or the dream
which he told, well knowing that God did frequently reveal his will,
or foretel future events by dreams, and perceiving something singular
and extraordinary in this dream, and especially in its being doubled.... [ Continue Reading ]
_To feed in Shechem_ In the parts adjoining to Shechem, probably in
the lands Jacob had purchased there. After the cruel and barbarous
massacre which Jacob's sons had been guilty of toward the Shechemites,
it is a wonder they should venture to seek pasture for their flocks in
that neighbourhood; but... [ Continue Reading ]
_When they saw him they conspired against him_ It was not in a heat,
or upon a sudden provocation, that they thought to slay him, but from
malice prepense, and in cold blood. _Behold this dreamer cometh _
Hebrew, _this master of dreams;_ that covers his own ambitious desires
and designs, with preten... [ Continue Reading ]
_Reuben heard it_ God can raise up friends for his people, even among
their enemies. Reuben, of all the brothers, had most reason to be
jealous of Joseph; for he was the firstborn, and so entitled to those
distinguishing favours which Jacob was conferring on Joseph; yet he
proves his best friend. Re... [ Continue Reading ]
_They cast him into a pit_ To perish there with hunger and cold; so
cruel were their tender mercies. _They sat down to eat bread_ They
felt no remorse of conscience, which, if they had, would have spoiled
their stomachs to their meat. A great force put upon conscience
commonly stupifies it, and for... [ Continue Reading ]
_What profit is it if we slay our brother?_ It will be less guilt and
more gain to sell him. They all agreed to this. And as Joseph was sold
by the contrivance of Judah for twenty pieces of silver, so was our
Lord Jesus for thirty, and by one of the same name too, Judas. Reuben,
it seems, was gone a... [ Continue Reading ]
_They took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid_ It is difficult to say
here whether their falsehood or their cruelly to their father be the
more to be execrated!... [ Continue Reading ]
_All his sons and all his daughters_ Namely, Dinah and his
daughters-in-law, for several of his sons were married; _rose up to
comfort him_ In this his excess of sorrow to which he had imprudently
and sinfully abandoned himself. _He refused to be comforted_ Resolving
to go down to, the grave mournin... [ Continue Reading ]