Genesis 37:4

When Joseph’s older brothers realized that their father loved him more than he loved any of them, they hated him. They never spoke kindly to him.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

In Context

3Jacob loved Joseph more than he loved any of his other children, because Joseph had been born when Jacob was an old man. Jacob made for Joseph a long pretty robe that had long sleeves.

5One night Joseph had a dream. He told his brothers about the dream.

Read all of Genesis 37

Cross References

Genesis 27:41So, because his father had given a blessing to Jacob, and not to him, Esau hated his younger brother. Esau thought to himself, “After my father dies and we finish mourning for him, I will kill Jacob!”

Genesis 37:11Joseph’s older brothers were furious/angry with him, but his father just kept thinking about what the dream meant.

Genesis 49:23Their enemies will attack them fiercely, and shoot at them with bows and arrows and pursue them.

1 Samuel 17:28But when David’s oldest brother Eliab heard David talking to the men, he was angry. He said to David, “Why have you come down here? Is someone taking care of those few sheep that you left in the desert? I know you are just a ◄smart-aleck/brat►! You just want to watch the battle!”

Psalms 69:4Those who hate me when there is no reason to hate me are more than the number of hairs on my head [HYP]! Those who want to get rid of me are strong, and they tell lies about me. They demand that I return to them things that I did not steal!

John 7:3Jesus’ younger brothers said to him, “ Since many people here have left you, you should leave and go to Judea province and perform some miracles there, so that your disciples may see them!

Matthew Henry on Genesis 37:2-5

The History of Joseph. ( b. c. 1729.) 1 And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. 4… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 37:4