Topical Bible: Murder: Joseph's Brethren

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The account of Joseph and his brethren is a significant narrative found in the Book of Genesis, chapters 37 through 50. It provides a profound exploration of themes such as jealousy, betrayal, and divine providence. The account begins with Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, who is given a richly ornamented robe, often referred to as a "coat of many colors" (Genesis 37:3). This favoritism incites jealousy and hatred among his brothers.

The animosity reaches a climax when Joseph shares his dreams, which suggest that he will one day rule over his family (Genesis 37:5-11). The brothers' jealousy turns into a murderous intent, as they conspire to kill him. "Here comes that dreamer!" they said to one another. "Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we will see what becomes of his dreams" (Genesis 37:19-20).

Reuben, the eldest brother, intervenes with the intention of rescuing Joseph later. He suggests they throw Joseph into a pit instead of shedding his blood (Genesis 37:21-22). The brothers agree, and Joseph is cast into an empty cistern. However, when Reuben is absent, Judah proposes selling Joseph to a caravan of Ishmaelites, thus sparing his life but effectively removing him from their lives (Genesis 37:26-27).

The brothers sell Joseph for twenty shekels of silver, and he is taken to Egypt (Genesis 37:28). To conceal their deed, they dip Joseph's robe in goat's blood and present it to their father, Jacob, leading him to believe that Joseph has been devoured by a wild animal (Genesis 37:31-33).

This act of betrayal, while stopping short of murder, is a grievous sin that reflects the deep-seated envy and malice in the hearts of Joseph's brothers. Their actions set in motion a series of events that, through God's providence, ultimately lead to Joseph's rise to power in Egypt and the preservation of the family during a severe famine.

The narrative of Joseph and his brothers serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive nature of jealousy and the potential for redemption and reconciliation. Despite their initial intent to murder, the brothers eventually seek forgiveness, and Joseph, recognizing God's hand in his journey, forgives them, saying, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20).

This account underscores the biblical principle that while human intentions may be evil, God's sovereign plan can transform even the darkest actions into opportunities for grace and salvation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 37:20
Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast has devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Joseph was Thus Sold by his Brethren into Egypt, by Reason of ...
... to them, and thereby endeavored to divert them from the murder of their ... 4. When Joseph's
brethren had done thus to him, they considered what they should do to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how joseph was.htm

On the Righteousness and Efficacy of the Providence of God
... Consider the Arguments by which the brethren of Joseph, through their own malice,
were incited to will his murder: these were"Joseph's accusation, by which ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 10 on the righteousness.htm

Chapter xlii
... who had not stopped short at what was practically murder in the ... Besides, as Luther
develops at length, Joseph's dealings with his brethren were analogous ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlii.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... the unpleasant consciousness of probable murder, and make ... Joseph's influence was
such that the patriarch's delegation ... of Egypt knew his brethren, but they had ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

The Sixth Commandment
... Joseph's brethren, because his father loved him, and gave him a coat of divers colours ...
Envy and murder are near akin, therefore the apostle puts them together. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 6 the sixth commandment.htm

Man's Passions and God's Purpose
... in the crime of crimes, when his brethren slew the Son ... He prefers the paltry gain
from selling Joseph to the ... not broken as really by his proposal as by murder. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/mans passions and gods purpose.htm

Chapter xlvii
... of Esau, was grieved by the rape of his daughter Dinah and by the murder perpetrated
by ... 11, 12. And Joseph settled his father and his brethren, giving them ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvii.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... to persuade them to desist From murder, saying, Into ... And now when Joseph came not
dreading ought, They ... and conceal his blood; Come therefore, brethren, be advis ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... Herodias, chief author of John's murder, [841]409; the procuress, yea the murderess ...
Joseph's brethren, sinned, not having the fear of God before their eyes, [969 ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

Whether Christ's Genealogy is Suitably Traced by the Evangelists?
... sufficiently that he does not say that Joseph was the ... he was cognizant of the adultery
and murder; and further ... But he does mention Juda's brethren, in order to ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs genealogy is suitably.htm