And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
What does Genesis 37:11 mean?
God gave Joseph betimes the prospect of his advancement, to support and comfort him under his long and grievous troubles. Joseph dreamed of his preferment, but he did not dream of his imprisonment.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Genesis 37:9-11 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Genesis 37:11
And his brethren envied him,.... Notwithstanding all the precaution Jacob took to prevent it; they suspecting and fearing that these dreams portended the pre-eminence of Joseph over them, or however served to fill his mind with the hopes and expectation of it: but his father observed the saying; what Joseph had said in relating his dream; he laid it up in his mind and kept it there, often thought of it, and waited to see its accomplishment.
Key words
- brethren
-
And his brethren envied him,.
- envied
-
And his brethren envied him,.
Context in Genesis 37
Show chapter context
Genesis 37 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as the family line through Isaac and Jacob. Genesis opens the whole Bible with creation, fall, flood, Babel, and the long patriarchal story that carries the reader from Eden to Egypt. Read this chapter with the wider themes of creation, fall, and covenant in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
Explore by topic
A collection of passages on hope under pressure, future inheritance, resurrection expectation, and confidence in God’s final faithfulness.