January 9, 2025
Joseph the Dreamer
Genesis 37-41
Corbin McBride
Big Book Idea
From the beginning, Jesus has always been God’s plan A.
Key Verse | Genesis 37:3-4
Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.
Genesis 37-41
Joseph's Dreams
1 Jacob lived in the land of his father's sojournings, in the land of Canaan.
2 These are the generations of Jacob.
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. 1 37:3 See Septuagint, Vulgate; or (with Syriac) a robe with long sleeves. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain; also verses 23, 32 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.
5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: 7 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.
9 Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” 11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.
Joseph Sold by His Brothers
12 Now his brothers went to pasture their father's flock near Shechem. 13 And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” 14 So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. 15 And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” 16 “I am seeking my brothers,” he said. “Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” 17 And the man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.
18 They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. 19 They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. 20 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. 2 37:20 Or cisterns; also verses 22, 24 Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” 21 But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” 22 And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. 23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. 24 And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.
25 Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels 3 37:28 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.
29 When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes 30 and returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?” 31 Then they took Joseph's robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. 32 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.” 33 And he identified it and said, “It is my son's robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” 34 Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. 35 All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him. 36 Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.
Judah and Tamar
1 It happened at that time that Judah went down from his brothers and turned aside to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. 2 There Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua. He took her and went in to her, 3 and she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. 4 She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan. 5 Yet again she bore a son, and she called his name Shelah. Judah 4 38:5 Hebrew He was in Chezib when she bore him.
6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7 But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD put him to death. 8 Then Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother's wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.” 9 But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his. So whenever he went in to his brother's wife he would waste the semen on the ground, so as not to give offspring to his brother. 10 And what he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and he put him to death also. 11 Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father's house, till Shelah my son grows up”—for he feared that he would die, like his brothers. So Tamar went and remained in her father's house.
12 In the course of time the wife of Judah, Shua's daughter, died. When Judah was comforted, he went up to Timnah to his sheepshearers, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. 13 And when Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,” 14 she took off her widow's garments and covered herself with a veil, wrapping herself up, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she had not been given to him in marriage. 15 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. 16 He turned to her at the roadside and said, “Come, let me come in to you,” for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. She said, “What will you give me, that you may come in to me?” 17 He answered, “I will send you a young goat from the flock.” And she said, “If you give me a pledge, until you send it—” 18 He said, “What pledge shall I give you?” She replied, “Your signet and your cord and your staff that is in your hand.” So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him. 19 Then she arose and went away, and taking off her veil she put on the garments of her widowhood.
20 When Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite to take back the pledge from the woman's hand, he did not find her. 21 And he asked the men of the place, “Where is the cult prostitute 5 38:21 Hebrew sacred woman; a woman who served a pagan deity by prostitution; also verse 22 who was at Enaim at the roadside?” And they said, “No cult prostitute has been here.” 22 So he returned to Judah and said, “I have not found her. Also, the men of the place said, ‘No cult prostitute has been here.’” 23 And Judah replied, “Let her keep the things as her own, or we shall be laughed at. You see, I sent this young goat, and you did not find her.”
24 About three months later Judah was told, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has been immoral. 6 38:24 Or has committed prostitution Moreover, she is pregnant by immorality.” 7 38:24 Or by prostitution And Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.” 25 As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “By the man to whom these belong, I am pregnant.” And she said, “Please identify whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff.” 26 Then Judah identified them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not know her again.
27 When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb. 28 And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” 29 But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out. And she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” Therefore his name was called Perez. 8 38:29 Perez means a breach 30 Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.
Joseph and Potiphar's Wife
1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field. 6 So he left all that he had in Joseph's charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.
Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7 And after a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. 9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” 10 And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her.
11 But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, 12 she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. 13 And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, 14 she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” 16 Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, 17 and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. 18 But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.”
19 As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. 20 And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. 21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. 23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the LORD was with him. And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed.
Joseph Interprets Two Prisoners' Dreams
1 Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. 2 And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. 4 The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody.
5 And one night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison—each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. 6 When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. 7 So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in custody in his master's house, “Why are your faces downcast today?” 8 They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”
9 So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, “In my dream there was a vine before me, 10 and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand.” 12 Then Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. 13 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh's cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. 14 Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. 15 For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.”
16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, “I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, 17 and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head.” 18 And Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. 19 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head—from you!—and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you.”
20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.
Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams
1 After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, 2 and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. 3 And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. 4 And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke. 5 And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. 6 And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. 7 And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. 8 So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh.
9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “I remember my offenses today. 10 When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, 11 we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation. 12 A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. 13 And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged.”
14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh. 15 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” 16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” 9 41:16 Or (compare Samaritan, Septuagint) Without God it is not possible to give Pharaoh an answer about his welfare 17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile. 18 Seven cows, plump and attractive, came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass. 19 Seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt. 20 And the thin, ugly cows ate up the first seven plump cows, 21 but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were still as ugly as at the beginning. Then I awoke. 22 I also saw in my dream seven ears growing on one stalk, full and good. 23 Seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them, 24 and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”
25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one. 27 The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also seven years of famine. 28 It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt, 30 but after them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will consume the land, 31 and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of the famine that will follow, for it will be very severe. 32 And the doubling of Pharaoh's dream means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about. 33 Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land 10 41:34 Or over the land and organize the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. 35 And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. 36 That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.”
Joseph Rises to Power
37 This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” 11 41:38 Or of the gods 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. 12 41:40 Hebrew and according to your command all my people shall kiss the ground Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” 41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. 43 And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” 13 41:43 Abrek, probably an Egyptian word, similar in sound to the Hebrew word meaning to kneel Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” 45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.
46 Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. 47 During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly, 48 and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. He put in every city the food from the fields around it. 49 And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured.
50 Before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph. Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore them to him. 51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house.” 14 41:51 Manasseh sounds like the Hebrew for making to forget 52 The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” 15 41:52 Ephraim sounds like the Hebrew for making fruitful
53 The seven years of plenty that occurred in the land of Egypt came to an end, 54 and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. 55 When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do.”
56 So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses 16 41:56 Hebrew all that was in them and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. 57 Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.
Footnotes
[1] 37:3 See Septuagint, Vulgate; or (with Syriac) a robe with long sleeves. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain; also verses 23, 32[2] 37:20 Or cisterns; also verses 22, 24
[3] 37:28 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams
[4] 38:5 Hebrew He
[5] 38:21 Hebrew sacred woman; a woman who served a pagan deity by prostitution; also verse 22
[6] 38:24 Or has committed prostitution
[7] 38:24 Or by prostitution
[8] 38:29 Perez means a breach
[9] 41:16 Or (compare Samaritan, Septuagint) Without God it is not possible to give Pharaoh an answer about his welfare
[10] 41:34 Or over the land and organize the land
[11] 41:38 Or of the gods
[12] 41:40 Hebrew and according to your command all my people shall kiss the ground
[13] 41:43 Abrek, probably an Egyptian word, similar in sound to the Hebrew word meaning to kneel
[14] 41:51 Manasseh sounds like the Hebrew for making to forget
[15] 41:52 Ephraim sounds like the Hebrew for making fruitful
[16] 41:56 Hebrew all that was in them
Table of Contents
Introduction to Genesis
Timeline
Author, Date, and Recipients
Traditionally, Moses is considered to have been the author of Genesis and the rest of the Pentateuch (see Num. 33:2; Deut. 31:24; John 5:46). Of course, Moses lived much later than the events of Genesis. Presumably, stories were passed down about those earlier events, and Moses brought them all together.
The first audience would have been the Israelites Moses led through the wilderness. For readers today, Genesis is an essential introduction to the rest of the Bible. It is rightly called the book of beginnings.
Theme
The theme of Genesis is creation, sin, and re-creation. God made the world very good, but first cursed it and then destroyed it in the flood because of man’s disobedience. The new world after the flood was also spoiled by human sin (ch. 11). God chose Abraham for a special purpose. Through his family, all nations would be blessed (12:1–3). God’s purpose will eventually be fulfilled through Abraham’s descendants (ch. 49).
Key Themes
- The Lord God commissions human beings to be his representatives on earth. They are to take care of the earth and govern the other creatures (1:1–2:25).
- Instead of acting as God’s representatives on earth, the first man and woman—Adam and Eve—listen to the serpent and follow his advice. Their disobedience has devastating results for all mankind and for the entire created world (3:1–24; 6:5–6).
- God graciously announces that Eve’s offspring will free humanity from the serpent’s control (3:15). Genesis then begins tracing the history of one family that will become the people of Israel. This family has a special relationship with God and will become a source of blessing to fallen humanity (12:1–3).
- As a result of Adam’s disobedience, his unique relationship with the ground degenerates, resulting in hard work and later in flood and famine. But the special family descending from Adam also brings relief from the difficulties (3:17–19; 5:29; 50:19–21).
- While Eve’s punishment centers on pain in bearing children (3:16), women play an essential role in continuing the unique family line. With God’s help, even barrenness is overcome (11:30; 21:1–7; 25:21; 38:1–30).
- The corruption of human nature causes families to be torn apart (4:1–16; 13:5–8; 25:22–23; 27:41–45; 37:2–35). Although Genesis shows the reality of family conflicts, individual members of the chosen family can also help resolve those conflicts (13:8–11; 33:1–11; 45:1–28; 50:15–21).
- The wicked are exiled from Eden and scattered throughout the earth (3:22–24; 4:12–16; 11:9), but God is kind to his chosen people and promises them a land of their own (12:1–2, 7; 15:7–21; 28:13–14; 50:24).
- God is prepared to destroy almost the entire human race because of its corruption (6:7, 11–12; 18:17–33), but he still wants his world to be populated by righteous people (1:28; 9:1; 15:1–5; 35:11).
Outline
- Primeval History (1:1–11:26)
- Patriarchal History (11:27–50:26)
- Terah’s descendants (11:27–25:18)
- Isaac’s descendants (25:19–37:1)
- Jacob’s descendants (37:2–50:26)
The Near East at the Time of Genesis
Fact: In the Beginning
In the Hebrew Bible, the title of Genesis is In the Beginning, the book’s first words. The English title is related to the Greek word genesis, which means “beginning.”
Fact: Genesis through Deuteronomy
Genesis through Deuteronomy are the foundation of the Bible. They introduce the key promises that show God’s purposes in history and prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ.
Fact: The Sadducees
The Sadducees were a small but powerful group of Jewish leaders who did not believe in the resurrection (12:18). This may have been because of their emphasis on the Pentateuch (Genesis–Deuteronomy), which does not seem to explicitly mention the resurrection. But Jesus showed them that the idea of resurrection can, in fact, be found in the Pentateuch (Mark 12:26–27).
Fact: All things were made through him
All things were made through him. John begins his Gospel in the same way that Genesis begins: with creation (1:1–5; Gen. 1:1). He reveals that Jesus, God’s Son, existed eternally with God the Father, and the whole creation was made through him (Col. 1:15–16; compare 1 Cor. 8:6).
Fact: As numerous as the stars
As numerous as the stars. As the book of Exodus begins, some 350 years have passed since the end of Genesis. The 70 Israelites who went to Egypt have grown into a great multitude. This fulfills God’s promise to multiply Abraham’s descendants and to make them a blessing to all the nations of the world (Gen. 12:1–3; 15:5).
Fact: A costly demonstration of grief
A costly demonstration of grief. The Hebrew custom of tearing one’s garments (37:29, 34) was an expression of grief, often after learning of the death of a loved one. It would surely have had great significance in a day when most people owned very few items of clothing.
Fact: Levirate marriage
Levirate marriage is the practice of a man marrying the widow of his deceased brother, if she had no children (38:8). A child of this second marriage would provide security for the widow and would carry on the name of the deceased brother.
Fact: Cupbearers
Cupbearers (40:1) were high-ranking officials who served the kings of the ancient Near East. Their job was dangerous: before bringing any drink to the king, they tasted it to make sure that it had not been poisoned.
Fact: Signets
Signets were seals that bore a unique mark representing their owner. Some signets were worn around the neck; others were worn as rings (41:42). The signet was pressed into soft clay to leave an impression of its mark. Signet impressions were used to certify important documents.
Fact: Eunuchs
Eunuchs had many roles in the ancient world. They served in the royal court as cooks, scribes, guards of the harem, and ambassadors. The Hebrew word for “eunuch” usually refers to a castrated man, though it does not always do so (see Gen. 39:1).
The Near East at the Time of Genesis
c. 2000 B.C.
The book of Genesis describes events in the ancient Near East from the beginnings of civilization to the relocation of Jacob’s (Israel’s) family in Egypt. The stories of Genesis are set among some of the oldest nations in the world, including Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, and Elam.
The Garden of Eden
Genesis describes the location of Eden in relation to the convergence of four rivers. While two of the rivers are unknown (the Pishon and the Gihon), the nearly universal identification of the other two rivers as the Tigris and the Euphrates suggests a possible location for Eden at either their northern or southern extremes.
Egypt at the Time of Joseph
c. 1900 B.C.
Joseph arrived in Egypt during the reign of the Twelfth Dynasty, arguably the zenith of Egypt’s power. Shortly before this era, Upper and Lower Egypt had been unified under one ruler, and now Egyptian influence expanded south and east. The regular flooding of the Nile River provided a relatively stable supply of food and offered some degree of protection from the famines suffered by other lands of the ancient Near East.
The Generations of Genesis
| Primeval History (1:1–11:26) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction | General heading | Specific heading | Section introduced |
| 2:4 | These are the generations of | the heavens and the earth | 2:4–4:26 |
| 5:1 | These are the generations of | Adam | 5:1–6:8 |
| 6:9 | These are the generations of | Noah | 6:9–9:29 |
| 10:1 | These are the generations of | the sons of Noah | 10:1–11:9 |
| 11:10 | These are the generations of | Shem | 11:10–26 |
| Patriarchal History (11:27–50:26) | |||
| 11:27 | These are the generations of | Terah | 11:27–25:11 |
| 25:12 | These are the generations of | Ishmael | 25:12–18 |
| 25:19 | These are the generations of | Isaac | 25:19–35:29 |
| 36:1, 9 | These are the generations of | Esau | 36:1–37:1 |
| 37:2 | These are the generations of | Jacob | 37:2–50:26 |
Joseph
Joseph was the son of Jacob and his favored wife Rachel. Jacob therefore showed favoritism toward Joseph, which made his brothers despise him. Out of jealousy, they sold him into slavery. Joseph was taken to Egypt, where he was purchased by a royal official. Joseph was imprisoned on false charges but was released after interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh. Because the dreams had predicted seven years of famine, Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of preparing for the famine. During the famine Joseph’s family unknowingly came to him for help, and Joseph forgave his brothers and rescued his family. Through Joseph, God used evil to work out his good purposes, foreshadowing the time when he would bring the supreme good of eternal salvation out of the wicked actions of those who crucified Jesus. (Genesis 50:19–20)
Gen. 25:19–37:1 Isaac’s Descendants. The familiar phrase “these are the generations of” introduces the next main section of Genesis (see note on 2:4). While these chapters focus on the family of Isaac, special attention is given to Jacob because the unique family line of Genesis will be continued through him (see diagram).
Gen. 37:1 Whereas Esau’s descendants dwell in Seir (alongside the Horites), Jacob settles in Canaan (like his father Isaac).
The Genealogies of Genesis
Gen. 37:3 the son of his old age. Since Benjamin, not Joseph, was actually the last son born to Jacob, the unusual Hebrew expression “son of old age” could mean either (1) someone who displays exceptional maturity while still young or perhaps (2) the son closest to Jacob in his old age. robe of many colors. The actual design of the cloak is uncertain.
Gen. 37:5 Joseph had a dream. In Genesis, dreams are normally associated with divine revelations (see 20:3; 28:12; 31:10–11; 40:5–8; 41:1).
Gen. 37:8 Joseph’s brothers understand Joseph’s first dream to mean that he will reign over them.
Gen. 37:9–11 The second dream reinforces the expectation that Joseph will have authority over the rest of his family. Shall I and your mother. When Joseph had this dream, his mother Rachel was probably dead (see 35:16–19); “your mother” refers to Leah.
Gen. 37:12–14 Shechem. See note on 33:17–18.
Gen. 37:15–17 Since his brothers have moved farther north, Joseph travels from Shechem to Dothan, a journey of about 16 to 20 miles (26 to 32 km), to find them.
Gen. 37:18–20 this dreamer. The brothers’ comment is full of sarcasm. The expression implies “master/owner of the dreams.”
Gen. 37:21–22 As the oldest, Reuben convinces his brothers not to kill Joseph. Reuben plans to rescue Joseph later and restore him to his father.
Gen. 37:25 caravan of Ishmaelites. These traders come from the Sinai Peninsula. Although initially identified as Ishmaelites (a broad category covering various people groups), in vv. 28 and 36 they are specifically called Midianites. coming from Gilead. See note on 31:21. camels. See note on 12:16.
Gen. 37:26–27 Judah said to his brothers. Although Judah shows compassion by not wanting to kill Joseph, he may have seen an opportunity to profit from selling his brother.
Fact: A costly demonstration of grief
A costly demonstration of grief. The Hebrew custom of tearing one’s garments (37:29, 34) was an expression of grief, often after learning of the death of a loved one. It would surely have had great significance in a day when most people owned very few items of clothing.
Gen. 37:29–30 tore his clothes. A visible sign of intense anguish and pain. where shall I go? Reuben’s grief might not be about the loss of Joseph but about how upset his father will be with Reuben when he learns that Joseph is gone (see note on vv. 21–22).
Gen. 37:34 put sackcloth on his loins. A common mourning custom.
Fact: A costly demonstration of grief
A costly demonstration of grief. The Hebrew custom of tearing one’s garments (37:29, 34) was an expression of grief, often after learning of the death of a loved one. It would surely have had great significance in a day when most people owned very few items of clothing.
Gen. 37:35 I shall go down to Sheol. Jacob believes that his grief will continue through the afterlife. “Sheol” is the proper name for the place where people go after death, though specific knowledge about the afterlife was lacking at this time.
Gen. 37:2–36 Joseph is the second youngest son of Jacob, but his father gives him privileges normally given to the firstborn. Joseph’s dreams further antagonize his older brothers, who cannot accept that he will someday reign over them.
Gen. 38:1–2 A sense of danger is suggested through Judah’s separation from the rest of his family, his friendship with Hirah (a native of the Canaanite city of Adullam), and his marriage to a Canaanite woman. In Genesis, marriages to Canaanites are never viewed in a positive light (see 24:3; 26:34–35; 28:1).
Gen. 38:6–7 The nature of Er’s wickedness is unknown. No information on Tamar’s background is provided, although it is likely that she was a Canaanite.
Gen. 38:8 Judah instructs his second son Onan to fulfill the custom of “levirate marriage,” which required a brother to marry his brother’s childless widow and give her children. See Deut. 25:5–10. It plays an important role in the book of Ruth (Ruth 1:11–13; 4:1–12). Judah is eager that Tamar should have a son to continue the firstborn line of Er.
Fact: Levirate marriage
Levirate marriage is the practice of a man marrying the widow of his deceased brother, if she had no children (38:8). A child of this second marriage would provide security for the widow and would carry on the name of the deceased brother.
Gen. 38:9 Onan knew that the offspring would not be his. While publicly Onan appears to fulfill his father’s request, in private he refuses to father a child on behalf of Er. he would waste the semen on the ground. Onan avoided impregnating Tamar. He probably selfishly feared that a son born to Tamar would reduce the importance of his own family line and his share of Judah’s inheritance.
Gen. 38:11 Judah protects his remaining son, Shelah, by sending Tamar back to her own family. He implies that one day she will marry Shelah. He treats Tamar as if she were dangerous, while it was actually the sons’ evil actions that brought about their deaths.
Gen. 38:12 Sometime later Judah becomes a widower. After a period of mourning he travels to Timnah. Two locations are known by this name, but this one is probably in the southern hill country of Judah (see Josh. 15:57).
Gen. 38:13–14 Having waited for Judah to fulfill his promise regarding Shelah (v. 11), Tamar decides to take action. She puts off her widow’s garments and covers herself with a veil, possibly intending to remind Judah that she is promised to Shelah. She goes to the entrance to Enaim, hoping to meet her father-in-law.
Gen. 38:15 When Judah sees Tamar, he assumes that she is a prostitute, for she had covered her face. Since engaged women also wore veils, Judah’s belief that Tamar is a prostitute would not have been simply based on her covered face. Her being alone by the roadside possibly contributed to his assumption (Jer. 3:2 links “waysides” with prostitution).
Gen. 38:16–18 Tamar’s request, What will you give me . . . ? recalls Judah’s refusal to give her Shelah.
Gen. 38:21 Ironically, Hirah’s description of Tamar as a cult prostitute introduces into the account a religious dimension linked to fertility rituals. The term used by Hirah is rarely used in the OT (see Deut. 23:17; Hos. 4:14).
Gen. 38:24–26 When Judah discovers that he was responsible for Tamar’s pregnancy, he acknowledges her righteousness in contrast to his own failure. This marks an important turning point for Judah.
Gen. 38:1–30 The shocking account of Judah’s relationship with Tamar, which interrupts the story of Joseph in Egypt, fulfills an important role in Genesis by providing a record of Judah’s family line. The chapter concludes with a birth account in which a firstborn twin is pushed aside by his younger brother, Perez. The royal line of David—and therefore of Jesus Christ—will come from Perez. Although this chapter shows Judah at his worst, it also provides the background for the remarkable transformation in his life seen later in Genesis.
Gen. 38:27–30 With its focus on the identity of the firstborn, this birth account suggests that something significant will happen among the descendants of Perez.
Egypt at the Time of Joseph
c. 1900 B.C.
Joseph arrived in Egypt during the reign of the Twelfth Dynasty, arguably the zenith of Egypt’s power. Shortly before this era, Upper and Lower Egypt had been unified under one ruler, and now Egyptian influence expanded south and east. The regular flooding of the Nile River provided a relatively stable supply of food and offered some degree of protection from the famines suffered by other lands of the ancient Near East.
Gen. 39:1 This verse, which echoes 37:36, reintroduces Joseph as the main character of the story that follows.
Fact: Eunuchs
Eunuchs had many roles in the ancient world. They served in the royal court as cooks, scribes, guards of the harem, and ambassadors. The Hebrew word for “eunuch” usually refers to a castrated man, though it does not always do so (see Gen. 39:1).
Gen. 39:2–5 The LORD was with Joseph. Joseph’s life in Egypt is governed by God’s providential care (see 50:20). God’s blessing will come through Joseph (compare 12:3; 18:18; 22:17; 30:27).
Gen. 39:6–9 Handsome in form and appearance echoes 29:17, which describes Joseph’s mother Rachel. Joseph recognizes that to give in to Potiphar’s wife would be an offense against his master and against God (see Ps. 51:4).
Gen. 39:13–15 Concerning the term “Hebrew,” see note on 10:21–32.
Gen. 39:20 Joseph’s imprisonment where the king’s prisoners were confined will prove significant for future developments.
Gen. 39:1–23 In Egypt, Joseph maintains his integrity by refusing to lie with Potiphar’s wife, which results in his being wrongfully imprisoned.
Gen. 40:1 committed an offense against. In 39:9 the same Hebrew verb is translated “sin against.” The cupbearer and baker have sinned against their lord, who enjoyed divine status as king of Egypt. The repetition of the rarely used expression “king of Egypt” emphasizes the seriousness of their offense. The cupbearer and baker provided the king with drink and food. They had unique access to him and were trusted to keep him from being poisoned.
Fact: Cupbearers
Cupbearers (40:1) were high-ranking officials who served the kings of the ancient Near East. Their job was dangerous: before bringing any drink to the king, they tasted it to make sure that it had not been poisoned.
Gen. 40:2–3 captain of the guard. This same title is given to Potiphar (37:36; 39:1). Since Potiphar’s name is not used in this context, however, the captain is probably another person.
Gen. 40:4 In prison, Joseph served a captain of the guard and managed the affairs of his house.
Gen. 40:5–8 In the ancient Near East, dreams were often viewed as a medium of divine revelation.
Gen. 40:14–15 remember me. See note on v. 23. that they should put me into the pit. While Joseph’s remark relates to Egypt, his mention of “the pit” recalls what his brothers did to him in Canaan (see 37:18–28).
Gen. 40:18–19 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head—from you! The baker’s corpse was to be hung on a tree and possibly decapitated.
Gen. 40:20–22 Pharaoh’s birthday may refer to his actual birthday or to the anniversary of his becoming ruler, when pardons were more often granted. As Joseph said, the heads of both men are lifted up.
Gen. 40:23 the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph. The reader knows that God will “remember” Joseph, as he does other people (8:1; 19:29; 30:22).
Joseph
Joseph was the son of Jacob and his favored wife Rachel. Jacob therefore showed favoritism toward Joseph, which made his brothers despise him. Out of jealousy, they sold him into slavery. Joseph was taken to Egypt, where he was purchased by a royal official. Joseph was imprisoned on false charges but was released after interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh. Because the dreams had predicted seven years of famine, Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of preparing for the famine. During the famine Joseph’s family unknowingly came to him for help, and Joseph forgave his brothers and rescued his family. Through Joseph, God used evil to work out his good purposes, foreshadowing the time when he would bring the supreme good of eternal salvation out of the wicked actions of those who crucified Jesus. (Genesis 50:19–20)
Gen. 41:8 the magicians of Egypt. These were probably cultic officials who interpreted omens and signs, not illusionists who performed to entertain.
Gen. 41:12 A young Hebrew emphasizes that Joseph is not Egyptian.
Gen. 41:14 Social customs required that Joseph be shaved and clothed before entering Pharaoh’s presence. Out of the pit shows what it was like for Joseph to be in prison.
Gen. 41:15–16 God, not Joseph, will answer Pharaoh’s request (see 40:8).
Gen. 41:17–24 Pharaoh’s repetition of vv. 1–8 shows the importance of the dreams.
Gen. 41:25–36 Stressing that the dreams come from God, Joseph says that the similar content of the dreams means they will be fulfilled soon. Joseph’s detailed instructions impress Pharaoh.
Gen. 41:38 the Spirit of God. While Pharaoh undoubtedly interpreted this according to his own religious outlook, on various occasions God empowered people for special service by giving them his Spirit (see, e.g., Ex. 31:3; Judg. 3:10).
Gen. 41:40–41 Joseph is appointed to govern all the people of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself.
Fact: Signets
Signets were seals that bore a unique mark representing their owner. Some signets were worn around the neck; others were worn as rings (41:42). The signet was pressed into soft clay to leave an impression of its mark. Signet impressions were used to certify important documents.
Gen. 41:42–43 To show Joseph’s special status, Pharaoh gives him his royal signet ring, dresses him appropriately, and provides royal transport.
Gen. 41:45 called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-paneah. Joseph is fully integrated into the royal court when Pharaoh gives him an Egyptian name and a wife. Marrying into a prominent priestly family gives Joseph additional acceptance.
Gen. 41:50–52 The name Manasseh sounds like the Hebrew word for “forget,” suggesting that things have moved on for Joseph. Ironically, however, the name also reminds him of his father’s household. Ephraim, which means “twice fruitful,” recalls the theme of being fruitful (see note on 1:28).
Gen. 40:1–41:57 Some time after Joseph was imprisoned (ch. 39), two royal attendants are imprisoned for offending Pharaoh. With God’s help, Joseph interprets their dreams. This prepares the way for Joseph to be later summoned from prison to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams.
Gen. 41:54–57 As predicted in Pharaoh’s dreams, the seven years of plenty are followed by a famine that extends well beyond Egypt. Joseph’s preparations ensure that food is available for the Egyptians and all the earth (v. 57; that is, all the eastern Mediterranean region; see note on 6:17).
S4:008 Genesis 37-41
Listen NowDive Deeper | Genesis 37-41
Joseph is a critical character in God's big story at work in the nation of Israel. He was Jacob's eleventh son, who was the firstborn of Rachel, Jacob's favorite wife. Joseph receives special love from his father, evidenced by "a robe of many colors" (Genesis 37:3). Though the promised offspring of the woman from Genesis 3:15 would pass through Judah’s lineage, Joseph’s life modeled the Savior who was to come (Jesus).
Joseph receives a unique revelation from God through dreams, positioning him as a ruler over his family. This vision becomes difficult to see as Joseph is unfairly sold into slavery in Egypt and falsely accused of abuse by his Egyptian master's wife. Even while in prison, Joseph believes in God's plan, and one day he is invited to interpret Pharaoh's dreams. Giving all credit to God, Joseph correctly interprets Pharaoh's dreams, proposes an action plan to preserve the nation, and earns the second most important position in all of Egypt. Joseph's dreams are eventually fulfilled when his father and brothers travel to Egypt to escape famine, only to be rescued by their favorite son and little brother.
In many ways, Joseph is a precursor to Jesus. Joseph was his father's favorite son as Jesus was His Father's beloved son (Matthew 3:17). Joseph was mistreated by his own family as Jesus was scorned by his own people. Joseph was sold into slavery for silver as Jesus was betrayed for silver (Matthew 27:3). Joseph endured slavery and imprisonment as Jesus endured death on the cross and three days in the tomb. Joseph ascended from the pit to deliver Israel from famine as Jesus rose from the grave to defeat death, sin, and Satan and offer salvation to the whole world.
Most importantly, Joseph trusted God and believed in His sovereign will regardless of his own circumstances. Jesus demonstrated ultimate trust and belief in the Father by submitting to death in order that God's eternal purpose could be accomplished through Jesus' resurrection. May we trust and believe in the will of God in our lives just like Joseph did, and even more completely as Jesus modeled.
This month's memory verse
"The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.'"
– Exodus 34:6
Discussion Questions
1. When you encounter challenging circumstances, do you find it difficult to trust God's plan?
2. Do you feel you're in a season of difficulty, like Joseph's time in prison, or a season of flourishing, like Joseph's time as right-hand man to Pharaoh? What aspects of God's character do you need to be reminded of in this season?
3. Sometimes God's will doesn't make sense to us, and we're required to lean on faith as opposed to logic. For encouragement in this area, consider watching John Elmore's sermon "Living a Life of Faith, Not of Logic" available here. How have you seen God work in ways that defy logic?
4. Genesis 38 tells an odd story about Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar. By withholding his third son from Tamar in marriage, Judah fails to fulfill his obligation to her, which would hinder the continuation of Judah's bloodline—the lineage carrying the woman's seed ("offspring"), introduced in Genesis 3:15. As a result, Tamar is forced to take matters into her own hands to protect herself and carry on Judah's lineage. When her actions are revealed to Judah, he acknowledges Tamar's righteousness and confesses his own sin. The blessed seed continues through Judah and Tamar's son Perez. What does this story reveal about God's nature and His purposes?