Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 37:11
And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
11. envied ] This is the envy of malice rather than of jealousy: it denotes resentment against Joseph for being favoured, and a desire to see him deprived of his privileges.
kept the saying in mind ] Lit. “kept the word.” LXX . Lat. rem tacitus considerabat. This phrase is the origin of the words in Luk 2:51, “kept all these sayings in her heart.” Jacob rebuked Joseph, but evidently was so deeply impressed with the remarkable and seemingly improbable character of the twice repeated dream, that he secretly cherished a presentiment of its fulfilment (Gen 42:6).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The words of Joseph; or the thing, the dream which he told; well knowing that God did frequently at that time signify his mind by dreams, and perceiving something singular and extraordinary in this dream, and especially in the doubling of it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
11. But his father observed the saying “So strange and mysterious . So Mary ‘pondered’ and ‘kept in her heart’ the strange sayings of Jesus, which others understood not . Luk 2:50-51. ” Newhall .
‘And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in his mind.’
There is here an interesting contrast. Quite understandably his brothers, who were already on bad terms with him, took his dreams badly. If they signified anything they signified his feeling of superiority over them. The suggestion of jealousy indicates that they felt that the dreams did somehow thrust him into further undeserved prominence. But his father was uneasy. While damping down any pretentiousness, he could not get the dreams out of his mind. Somehow he felt that they must have special significance, although he did not know how.
We notice from these previous verses how the hatred of his brothers is steadily growing from strength to strength (Gen 37:4-5; Gen 37:8; Gen 37:11). Preparation is being made for their final act of betrayal. This is a warning to us all that if we let evil thoughts build up in our minds and do nothing about it they will grow and fester and can lead to dreadful consequences. We need to learn to forgive.
Luk 2:51Luk 2:51 ; Act 7:9 ;
Shechem lay near 60 miles from Hebron.
Gen 37:11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
Ver. 11. And his brethren envied him. ] Envy is a filthy fruit of the flesh Gal 5:21 and the devil; who is called, the envious man; Mat 13:19 ; Mat 13:25 and such wisdom is said to be “devilish.” Jam 3:15 The Pharisees, envying our Saviour, did the devil’s work. Joh 8:41 So did Cain, the devil’s patriarch, when he laid his cruel club on the innocent head of his brother Abel. And Saul, when, seized upon by the evil spirit more than a melancholy humour, he envied David, and sought his death. For, this vice, as it makes the heart to boil with hellish venom, so it blisters out at the tongue, as here; “They could not speak peaceably to Joseph,” but scoff, and consult his ruin. It sits, also, looking out at the windows of the eyes; and, as a basilisk, blasteth the object. a Hence, invidere; to see with an evil eye, and naughty mind: and our English saith, to overlook a thing; that is, to bewitch it. This very looking upon other precellencies, whereby we are over shined, so as to lust to have that light put out, that our candle might shine above it – this is every man’s sin – though it act nothing, yet it is abominable. Jam 4:5 As, on the other side, to rejoice in the good parts of others, though it eclipseth our light, and this from the heart; this is indeed more than to excel others in any excellency, if this be wanting. For this, it is good to get the heart fraught with mercy, meekness of wisdom, fear of God, – whose providence cuts us out our various conditions and proportions, – zeal for his glory, as Moses; humility, charity (“Love envieth not,” 1Co 13:4 ); and to take heed of strife. Rom 13:13 “Envy and strife” go coupled; they are brought in there by the brace, as it were twisted together. Likewise, of pride and vain-glory; Php 2:3 covetousness; Pro 28:22 contention about words; 1Ti 6:4 self-love, ignorance, &c.; all which make the soul sick of the fret, Psa 37:8 ; Psa 73:3 and to pierce itself through with many sorrows. For, this sin killeth the silly one, Job 5:2 if it kill no other. Envy and murder b go coupled. Rom 1:29 Gal 5:21 A hectic it is to itself, however; the same that rust is to iron, blasting to corn, or a moth to the cloth it breeds in. It drinketh the most part of its own venom, gnaws on its own heart, is consumed in its own fire, as Nadab and Abihu were; and, like the snake in the fable, licks off its own tongue, as envying teeth to the file in the forge. Socrates called it, the saw of the soul. c David compares it to fire in billets of juniper, which burns vehemently, and continues, they say, more years than one. Simul peccat et plectitur: expedita iustitia, saith Petrarch. Other sins have some pleasure; this hath none, but torment. It is a very hell above ground, and paves a way to the unpardonable sin, as in Saul, and the Pharisees.
a Nescio quis teneros, &c.; fascino, B , i.e., .
b . , of , to consume.
c Serram animae.
envied: Gen 26:14-16, Psa 106:16, Ecc 4:4, Isa 11:13, Isa 26:11, Mat 27:18, Mar 15:10, Act 7:9, Act 13:45, Gal 5:21, Tit 3:3, Jam 3:14-16, Jam 4:5
observed: Gen 24:31, Dan 7:28, Luk 2:19, Luk 2:51
Reciprocal: Gen 30:1 – Rachel envied Gen 37:4 – hated him Gen 37:19 – dreamer 1Sa 17:28 – Eliab’s anger Pro 18:19 – brother Pro 27:4 – but Eze 31:9 – envied Mar 9:10 – they Mar 12:6 – his Luk 1:66 – laid 1Co 13:4 – envieth
Gen 37:11. 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.
37:11 And his brethren envied him; but his father {f} observed the saying.
(f) He knew that God was the author of the dream, but he did not understand the meaning.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes