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)a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was (B)the son of his old age. And he made him (C)a robe of many colors.[a] 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.

Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, (D)my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and (E)bowed down to my sheaf.” 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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 37:3 See Septuagint, Vulgate; or (with Syriac) a robe with long sleeves. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain; also verses 23, 32

18 They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them (A)they conspired against him to kill him. 19 They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. 20 Come now, (B)let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits.[a] Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” 21 But when (C)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”—(D)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, (E)the robe of many colors that he wore. 24 And they took him and (F)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 (G)caravan of (H)Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing (I)gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it (J)if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and (K)let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. 28 Then (L)Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and (M)sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels[b] of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

29 When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he (N)tore his clothes

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 37:20 Or cisterns; also verses 22, 24
  2. Genesis 37:28 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams

19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for (A)am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but (B)God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people[a] should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; (C)I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 50:20 Or a numerous people

Bible Gateway Recommends

ESV Spiral-Bound Journaling Bible, Hardcover, Five-Volume Set
ESV Spiral-Bound Journaling Bible, Hardcover, Five-Volume Set
Retail: $149.99
Our Price: $98.99
Save: $51.00 (34%)
ESV Action Study Bible Boys, Virtual Leather, Slate Gray
ESV Action Study Bible Boys, Virtual Leather, Slate Gray
Retail: $44.99
Our Price: $28.99
Save: $16.00 (36%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
Proverbs, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
Proverbs, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
Retail: $8.99
Our Price: $5.99
Save: $3.00 (33%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Student Study Bible, Trutone, Turquoise
ESV Student Study Bible, Trutone, Turquoise
Retail: $44.99
Our Price: $28.99
Save: $16.00 (36%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
ESV Church Bible (Value Pew Bible) Black
ESV Church Bible (Value Pew Bible) Black
Retail: $12.99
Our Price: $7.49
Save: $5.50 (42%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars