Topical Encyclopedia
The narrative of Jacob's partiality towards his son Joseph is a significant theme in the biblical account found in the Book of Genesis. This favoritism is a pivotal element in the unfolding account of the patriarchs and has profound implications for the family dynamics and the unfolding of God's plan for the nation of Israel.
Biblical ContextJacob, also known as Israel, had twelve sons, who would become the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph was the eleventh son, born to Jacob's favored wife, Rachel. This familial background sets the stage for the preferential treatment Joseph received from his father.
Expression of FavoritismJacob's partiality towards Joseph is explicitly stated in
Genesis 37:3: "Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because he had been born to him in his old age, and he made him a robe of many colors" . This special garment, often referred to as the "coat of many colors," symbolized Jacob's favoritism and set Joseph apart from his brothers.
Consequences of PartialityThe favoritism shown by Jacob had significant repercussions within the family. Joseph's brothers became envious and resentful, leading to deep-seated animosity.
Genesis 37:4 notes, "When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him" . This animosity eventually culminated in the brothers' decision to sell Joseph into slavery, a pivotal event that would lead to Joseph's rise to power in Egypt.
Divine ProvidenceDespite the negative consequences of Jacob's partiality, the narrative demonstrates God's sovereign ability to work through human failings to accomplish His purposes. Joseph's journey from favored son to slave, and eventually to a position of power in Egypt, illustrates God's providential care and the fulfillment of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Lessons and ReflectionsThe account of Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of parental partiality. It highlights the potential for discord and division within families when favoritism is present. Moreover, it underscores the importance of recognizing God's overarching plan and His ability to bring about good from human shortcomings.
In the broader biblical narrative, Joseph's account is a testament to faith, forgiveness, and the redemptive power of God, who uses even the flawed actions of individuals to bring about His divine purposes.
Nave's Topical Index
Genesis 37:3,4Now 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 colors.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
The Trials and visions of Devout Youth
... mother who is weak enough to show partiality in the ... one Father who can draw His obedient
children into the ... emblems, and in the inclusion of the parents in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the trials and visions of.htm
Joseph
... old, that they may say to their parents, Corban"'I ... blessing to us, and to our children
after us ... gentle, easy to be entreated, without partiality, and without ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon vii joseph.htm
Home-Discipline.
... indulgence, will produce prejudice against the other children. ... of parental favoritism,
is a warning against such partiality. ... in which even the parents take a ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xix home-discipline.htm
The Book of Jubilees
... and transmitted by him to his children; and Judah's ... of practising divination Isaac
repents of his partiality for Esau ... by his obedience to his parents, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm
Adonijah
... fact that the future well-being of children depends largely on ... that his parents were
guilty of partiality and indulgence ... on the part of the parents had taken ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/adonijah.htm
Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... eating, on he went, And to his parents did a ... to Egypt went: His sons, their wives
and children, and the ... father and thy brethren there, And if among them active ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm
The Child-Life in Nazareth
... religious atmosphere surrounded the child of Jewish parents. ... To keep children from
all contact with vice ... do all this without showing partiality, without either ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ix the child-life in.htm
Christian Behavior
... The Lord, if it be his will, convert our poor parents, that they, with us, may be
the children of God.17. ... to do for God, in their place and station among men ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christian behavior.htm
Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... in Judah, were, at first, like their parents, merely the ... by militia, drawn entirely
from among the landed ... of the tribes identified with the children of Israel ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm
The Fourth Commandment
... superiors, and they are, more private, as parents and masters ... public, as magistrates;
or inferiors, as natives, children, and servants ... (4) Lay aside partiality. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 4 the fourth commandment.htm
Resources
What does the Bible say about disrespectful children? | GotQuestions.orgDoes God expect all of us to have children? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about the evangelization of children? | GotQuestions.orgChildren: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
