Joseph’s brothers conspired to kill him before he even approached them.
In this verse, we see Joseph’s brothers act with severe hostility, as the text says, “When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death.” (v.18) This moment occurs in the region of Dothan, which was located northwest of Shechem in ancient Canaan, an area that would later form part of the northern kingdom of Israel. In biblical times, this region was one of the central locales for shepherding flocks, connecting major travel routes and trade pathways. Joseph, who lived during the second millennium BC (approximately 1914-1804 BC), was sent by their father Jacob—also referred to as Israel—to check on his brothers. Jacob was the grandson of Abraham and fathered twelve sons, who would become the tribal heads of the nation of Israel.
The verse highlights the depth of resentment that Joseph’s brothers harbor against him. Earlier in Genesis 37, we learn of Joseph’s special place in his father’s heart and the symbolic coat of many colors (Genesis 37:3-4) that set him apart. Their animosity, fueled partly by his dreams (Genesis 37:5-10), escalates to the point of discussion about murder. In this chilling moment, the biblical text underscores how strife within a family can lead to tragic decisions, mirroring later moments in the history of Israel where envy or jealousy drove individuals to commit harmful acts. The principle of “plotting against” someone resonates with future events in Scripture as well, such as the leaders plotting against Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 26:4), illustrating that the inclination to remove someone perceived as a threat is a recurring human failing.
Spiritually, the verse calls attention to how unchecked jealousy and anger can blind individuals to the value of life and unleash destructive intentions. Joseph, although favored by his father, ultimately becomes instrumental in delivering not only his own family but the wider region from famine later (Genesis 41). His life trajectory—betrayed by family, sold into slavery, and eventually elevated to a position of great responsibility—foreshadows the redemptive pattern we see throughout Scripture, culminating in the New Testament narratives of salvation. Yet at this juncture, Genesis 37:18 demonstrates just how quickly bitterness can spawn thoughts of violence without considering the long-term providence and purposes of God.
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Genesis 37:18 meaning
In this verse, we see Joseph’s brothers act with severe hostility, as the text says, “When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death.” (v.18) This moment occurs in the region of Dothan, which was located northwest of Shechem in ancient Canaan, an area that would later form part of the northern kingdom of Israel. In biblical times, this region was one of the central locales for shepherding flocks, connecting major travel routes and trade pathways. Joseph, who lived during the second millennium BC (approximately 1914-1804 BC), was sent by their father Jacob—also referred to as Israel—to check on his brothers. Jacob was the grandson of Abraham and fathered twelve sons, who would become the tribal heads of the nation of Israel.
The verse highlights the depth of resentment that Joseph’s brothers harbor against him. Earlier in Genesis 37, we learn of Joseph’s special place in his father’s heart and the symbolic coat of many colors (Genesis 37:3-4) that set him apart. Their animosity, fueled partly by his dreams (Genesis 37:5-10), escalates to the point of discussion about murder. In this chilling moment, the biblical text underscores how strife within a family can lead to tragic decisions, mirroring later moments in the history of Israel where envy or jealousy drove individuals to commit harmful acts. The principle of “plotting against” someone resonates with future events in Scripture as well, such as the leaders plotting against Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 26:4), illustrating that the inclination to remove someone perceived as a threat is a recurring human failing.
Spiritually, the verse calls attention to how unchecked jealousy and anger can blind individuals to the value of life and unleash destructive intentions. Joseph, although favored by his father, ultimately becomes instrumental in delivering not only his own family but the wider region from famine later (Genesis 41). His life trajectory—betrayed by family, sold into slavery, and eventually elevated to a position of great responsibility—foreshadows the redemptive pattern we see throughout Scripture, culminating in the New Testament narratives of salvation. Yet at this juncture, Genesis 37:18 demonstrates just how quickly bitterness can spawn thoughts of violence without considering the long-term providence and purposes of God.