And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;

GENESIS 37:31KJV
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Genesis 37:31 (KJV)

What does Genesis 37:31 mean?

Genesis 37:31 describes how Joseph’s brothers took his special coat, killed a young goat, and dipped the coat in the goat’s blood. This act was part of their plan to deceive their father into thinking that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal.

In this scene, Joseph’s brothers have just sold him into slavery and are now trying to cover up what they have done. The coat mentioned is the distinctive garment Jacob gave Joseph, which had marked him as the favored son. By staining it with blood, the brothers create false evidence to support their lie, setting up the emotional confrontation with their father in the following verses.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 37:31

  • "Coat" (כְּתֹנֶת, ketonet): This word refers to a long robe or tunic. In Joseph’s story, it is a symbol of his special status in the family, so its defilement is a powerful image.
  • "Dipped" (טָבַל, taval): This word means to immerse or submerge. The brothers did not just sprinkle blood on the coat; they thoroughly soaked it, making the deception more convincing.
  • "Blood" (דָּם, dam): The use of animal blood here is central to the brothers’ plan, as it visually mimics the aftermath of a violent animal attack, which they want their father to believe happened to Joseph.

Why Genesis 37:31 matters

  • Genesis 37:31 shows the lengths Joseph’s brothers were willing to go to hide their wrongdoing, highlighting the seriousness of their betrayal.
  • The verse sets up the emotional impact on Jacob, Joseph’s father, who will be devastated by the sight of the bloodied coat.
  • This act of deception becomes a turning point in the story, leading to years of grief for Jacob and shaping the future of Joseph and his family.

Where else these words appear

“dipped” Hebrew H2881 · used in 16 verses

  • Exodus 12:22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
  • Leviticus 14:16 And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the LORD:
  • Ruth 2:14 And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.

“coat” Hebrew H3801 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
  • Exodus 29:5 And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod:
  • 2 Samuel 13:18 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.

“kid” Hebrew H8163 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 27:11 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:
  • Leviticus 16:27 And the bullock for the sin offering, and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place, shall one carry forth without the camp; and they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung.
  • Numbers 28:30 And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.

“killed” Hebrew H7819 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 22:10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
  • Leviticus 9:12 And he slew the burnt offering; and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar.
  • 2 Kings 10:14 And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing house, even two and forty men; neither left he any of them.