Bible Strands
Genesis 37:13
Israel said to him, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flocks at Shechem? Get ready; I am sending you to them.” “I am ready,” Joseph replied.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Israel addresses Joseph, directing him from the Valley of Hebron toward Shechem where Joseph’s brothers are tending the family flocks. This command follows the brothers’ relocation to Shechem and precedes Joseph’s arrival to deliver a report.
The words — The Hebrew וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר (va/i.Yo.mer) literally renders “and he said,” functioning as the narrative marker for Israel’s directive. The term רֹעִ֣ים (ro.'Im) denotes the continuous action of “pasturing” the flocks at Shechem.
The thread — A father’s directive to a son appears in Genesis 27:1 when Isaac calls Esau, and the duty of compliance aligns with Ephesians 6:1. Joseph’s immediate readiness parallels the responsive posture recorded in Genesis 22:1.
Why it lands — The text records Israel’s order and Joseph’s readiness without commentary, placing the burden of action on the son. It asks a reader to observe how familial duty and subsequent divine purpose intersect in silent compliance.
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 Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.
Cross-references
- Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
- Genesis 22:1 Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered.
- Genesis 27:1 When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called his older son Esau and said to him, “My son.” “Here I am,” Esau replied.
- Genesis 27:18 So Jacob went to his father and said, “My father.” “Here I am!” he answered. “Which one are you, my son?”
- 1 Samuel 3:4 Then the LORD called to Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.”
- 1 Samuel 3:8 Once again, for the third time, the LORD called to Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” Then Eli realized that it was the LORD who was calling the boy.
- 1 Samuel 3:16 but Eli called to him and said, “Samuel, my son.” “Here I am,” answered Samuel.
- 1 Samuel 17:17 One day Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp.
- Matthew 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
- Luke 20:13 ‘What shall I do?’ asked the owner of the vineyard. ‘I will send my beloved son. Perhaps they will respect him.’