And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.

GENESIS 37:33KJV
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Genesis 37:33 (KJV)

What does Genesis 37:33 mean?

Genesis 37:33 shows Jacob reaching a terrible conclusion from a coat he recognizes as his son Joseph’s. Jacob believes a wild animal has killed Joseph, and he speaks as though there can be no doubt about what happened.

After Joseph’s brothers bring the bloodstained coat to their father in verse 32, Jacob identifies it and imagines the violent attack that could have left it that way. His words reveal how convincing the evidence appears to him.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 37:33

  • “knew it” — נָכַר (nakhar): This word can mean “recognize” or “identify.” Jacob recognizes the coat as belonging to his son.
  • “without doubt rent in pieces” — טָרַף (taraf): This word carries the sense of tearing apart, as an animal might tear its prey. A repeated form strengthens Jacob’s statement, which the KJV expresses with “without doubt.”

Why Genesis 37:33 matters

  • Jacob’s certainty is part of the brothers’ deception. They had dipped Joseph’s coat in goat’s blood, then asked their father to identify it (Genesis 37:31–32).
  • Jacob’s conclusion differs from what the reader already knows. Joseph has been sold to traders (Genesis 37:28), so the blood on the coat has led Jacob to a false account of his son’s fate.

Where else these words appear

“doubt” Hebrew H2963 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 44:28 And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:
  • Psalms 17:12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
  • Ezekiel 22:25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.

“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.

“it” Hebrew H5234 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 27:23 And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.
  • Ruth 3:14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.
  • Job 24:13 They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.