Joseph’s brothers used the special tunic to deceive their father and conceal their guilt in Joseph’s disappearance.
In this verse, Joseph’s brothers have just orchestrated an act of deception toward their father, Jacob. They carry out their plan when the Scriptures say, “And they sent the varicolored tunic and brought it to their father and said, ‘We found this; please examine it to see whether it is your son’s tunic or not’” (v.32). The varicolored tunic (also translated as a “coat of many colors”) had symbolized their father’s special favor toward Joseph (Genesis 37:3), and now they use this garment to suggest that Joseph has met a tragic fate. This event occurs in the region of Canaan, where Jacob and his family dwelled. Canaan is a historical geographical area that encompassed much of what is now Israel and surrounding territories. By sending Joseph’s distinctive tunic rather than simply telling Jacob what happened, the brothers callously sow doubt in their father’s mind and cloak the truth of their own wrongdoing.
Jacob, who lived from around 2006 BC to about 1859 BC, is deeply beloved by God and is often called Israel after wrestling with the angel (Genesis 32:28). This narrative fits into the broader timeline of the patriarchal era—a period dominated by individuals such as Abraham (Jacob’s grandfather), Isaac (Jacob’s father), and Jacob himself. Jacob’s sons would eventually become the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 49). But at this juncture in the story, the depths of jealousy and deceit perpetuated by Joseph’s jealous siblings demonstrate how sin and conflict can devastate a family. This storyline also foreshadows how God can use even the darkest circumstances for a redemptive purpose, mirrored ultimately in the New Testament through Jesus’ betrayal and suffering, which God transformed into salvation for the world (Matthew 26:14-16, Romans 8:28).
When the verse “…please examine it…” (v.32) is read carefully, we see that Joseph’s brothers refuse to speak plainly. Rather than admit any knowledge of Joseph’s disappearance, they manipulate their father into drawing his own painful conclusion that a wild beast may have killed Joseph. Their heartless scheme emphasizes the damage that envy can inflict when allowed to grow unchecked, and it sets the stage for Jacob’s profound grief. In God’s plan, however, Joseph’s story will not end here, as his life becomes a crucial example of perseverance and faithfulness in the face of betrayal (Genesis 50:19-20).
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Genesis 37:32 meaning
In this verse, Joseph’s brothers have just orchestrated an act of deception toward their father, Jacob. They carry out their plan when the Scriptures say, “And they sent the varicolored tunic and brought it to their father and said, ‘We found this; please examine it to see whether it is your son’s tunic or not’” (v.32). The varicolored tunic (also translated as a “coat of many colors”) had symbolized their father’s special favor toward Joseph (Genesis 37:3), and now they use this garment to suggest that Joseph has met a tragic fate. This event occurs in the region of Canaan, where Jacob and his family dwelled. Canaan is a historical geographical area that encompassed much of what is now Israel and surrounding territories. By sending Joseph’s distinctive tunic rather than simply telling Jacob what happened, the brothers callously sow doubt in their father’s mind and cloak the truth of their own wrongdoing.
Jacob, who lived from around 2006 BC to about 1859 BC, is deeply beloved by God and is often called Israel after wrestling with the angel (Genesis 32:28). This narrative fits into the broader timeline of the patriarchal era—a period dominated by individuals such as Abraham (Jacob’s grandfather), Isaac (Jacob’s father), and Jacob himself. Jacob’s sons would eventually become the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 49). But at this juncture in the story, the depths of jealousy and deceit perpetuated by Joseph’s jealous siblings demonstrate how sin and conflict can devastate a family. This storyline also foreshadows how God can use even the darkest circumstances for a redemptive purpose, mirrored ultimately in the New Testament through Jesus’ betrayal and suffering, which God transformed into salvation for the world (Matthew 26:14-16, Romans 8:28).
When the verse “…please examine it…” (v.32) is read carefully, we see that Joseph’s brothers refuse to speak plainly. Rather than admit any knowledge of Joseph’s disappearance, they manipulate their father into drawing his own painful conclusion that a wild beast may have killed Joseph. Their heartless scheme emphasizes the damage that envy can inflict when allowed to grow unchecked, and it sets the stage for Jacob’s profound grief. In God’s plan, however, Joseph’s story will not end here, as his life becomes a crucial example of perseverance and faithfulness in the face of betrayal (Genesis 50:19-20).