Bible Strands
Genesis 37:11
And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept in mind what he had said.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrative records the reactions of Joseph’s brothers and his father Jacob immediately after Joseph recounts his dream. This moment follows Jacob’s rebuke and questioning of the dream’s meaning, marking the point where familial tension shifts from curiosity to active hostility.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיְקַנְאוּ (va-yə-qanəʾū) translates literally as "they were jealous," denoting a sustained emotional rivalry. The verb שָׁמַר (shāmar) means "he kept" or "he guarded," describing Jacob’s deliberate retention of the dream’s content.
The thread — The brothers’ jealousy reappears in Acts 7:9, where the patriarchs’ envy directly results in Joseph’s sale into Egypt. Jacob’s act of keeping the matter contrasts with Mary’s practice of treasuring events in her heart, as recorded in Luke 2:19 and Luke 2:51.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to see that divine revelation consistently provokes human opposition while remaining under sovereign oversight. Readers must acknowledge that God’s purposes advance despite familial resistance and incomplete understanding.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
Cross-references
- Acts 7:9 Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him
- Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
- Luke 2:51 Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
- Daniel 7:28 Thus ends the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and my face turned pale. But I kept the matter to myself.”
- Genesis 26:14 He owned so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him.
- Psalms 106:16 In the camp they envied Moses, as well as Aaron, the holy one of the LORD.
- Ecclesiastes 4:4 I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
- Isaiah 11:13 Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and the adversaries of Judah will be cut off. Ephraim will no longer envy Judah, nor will Judah harass Ephraim.
- Isaiah 26:11 O LORD, Your hand is upraised, but they do not see it. They will see Your zeal for Your people and be put to shame. The fire set for Your enemies will consume them!
- Matthew 27:18 For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.