Bible Strands
Genesis 37:15
a man found him wandering in the field and asked, “What are you looking for?”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — An unnamed man encounters Joseph near Shechem after Joseph arrives from Hebron to locate his brothers and their flocks. The man asks Joseph directly what he is seeking.
The words — The text uses תֹעֶה (to.'Eh) to describe Joseph’s state as wandering and בַּ/שָּׂדֶ֑ה (ba./sa.Deh) to locate him in the open country.
The thread — The motif of a stranger questioning a traveler’s purpose appears in Judges 4:22, where Jael shows Barak the man he pursues, and in Genesis 21:14, where Abraham sends Hagar away with provisions. John 4:27 is cited in contrast, noting that the disciples observe Jesus speaking without anyone asking Him a direct question.
Why it lands — The passage requires a reader to recognize how divine guidance often operates through unexpected human encounters rather than clear directions. It demands attention to the tension between human confusion and the unfolding of a larger plan.
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 a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?
Cross-references
- Judges 4:22 When Barak arrived in pursuit of Sisera, Jael went out to greet him and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man you are seeking.” So he went in with her, and there lay Sisera dead, with a tent peg through his temple.
- John 4:27 Just then His disciples returned and were surprised that He was speaking with a woman. But no one asked Him, “What do You want from her?” or “Why are You talking with her?”
- Genesis 21:14 Early in the morning, Abraham got up, took bread and a skin of water, put them on Hagar’s shoulders, and sent her away with the boy. She left and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba.
- 2 Kings 6:19 And Elisha told them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking.” And he led them to Samaria.
- John 1:38 Jesus turned and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked. They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are You staying?”
- John 18:4 Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?”
- John 18:7 So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.
- John 20:15 “Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”