These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.

GENESIS 37:2KJV
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Genesis 37:2 (KJV)

What does Genesis 37:2 mean?

Genesis 37:2 introduces the story of Jacob’s family, focusing on Joseph, who at seventeen is tending sheep with his brothers and brings a negative report about them to their father. This verse sets the stage for the events that will unfold between Joseph and his family, highlighting early signs of tension.

Genesis 37:2 is part of a narrative shift, moving from Jacob’s life to the generations that come from him, especially Joseph. The verse describes Joseph working alongside the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, two of Jacob’s wives, and notes that Joseph reports something bad about his brothers to Jacob. This detail hints at family dynamics and favoritism that will become important throughout Joseph’s story.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 37:2

  • The word "generations" (תּוֹלְדוֹת, toledot) means "descendants" or "family history." In Genesis, this word often marks a new section, signaling a focus on what happens to Jacob’s family, especially Joseph.
  • The word "evil" (רָעָה, ra‘ah) means "bad" or "harmful." Joseph’s report is described with this word, suggesting that what he tells his father about his brothers is serious and negative, not just a minor complaint.
  • The word "report" (דִּבָּה, dibbah) refers to a report or rumor, often with a negative or damaging sense. This shows that Joseph’s words may have caused trouble or increased tension within the family.

Why Genesis 37:2 matters

  • Genesis 37:2 marks the beginning of Joseph’s story, which will dominate the rest of Genesis and shape the future of Jacob’s family.
  • The verse highlights early conflict and division among Jacob’s sons, which helps explain why Joseph’s brothers later act against him.
  • The mention of Bilhah and Zilpah’s sons shows the complexity of Jacob’s family, where children from different mothers work and interact together, sometimes leading to rivalry or favoritism.

Where else these words appear

“Zilpah” Hebrew H2153 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 29:24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.
  • Genesis 30:10 And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a son.
  • Genesis 35:26 And the sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid; Gad, and Asher: these are the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padanaram.

“report” Hebrew H1681 · used in 9 verses

  • Numbers 13:32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.
  • Numbers 14:37 Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD.
  • Proverbs 25:10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

“Bilhah” Hebrew H1090 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 29:29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
  • Genesis 30:5 And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son.
  • Genesis 35:25 And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali:

“generations” Hebrew H8435 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 2:4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
  • Exodus 6:16 And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari: and the years of the life of Levi were an hundred thirty and seven years.
  • Numbers 1:40 Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;