Genesis 37 13

Genesis 37:13 kjv

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.

Genesis 37:13 nkjv

And Israel said to Joseph, "Are not your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, I will send you to them." So he said to him, "Here I am."

Genesis 37:13 niv

and Israel said to Joseph, "As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them." "Very well," he replied.

Genesis 37:13 esv

And Israel said to Joseph, "Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them." And he said to him, "Here I am."

Genesis 37:13 nlt

When they had been gone for some time, Jacob said to Joseph, "Your brothers are pasturing the sheep at Shechem. Get ready, and I will send you to them." "I'm ready to go," Joseph replied.

Genesis 37 verses

Genesis 37 13 meaning

This verse initiates a crucial sequence in the Joseph narrative. Jacob, referred to by his God-given name Israel, instructs his favored son Joseph to check on his older brothers, who are tending flocks near Shechem. It reveals Jacob's patriarchal concern for his distant sons and Joseph's obedient readiness to follow his father's command. Unbeknownst to Jacob and Joseph, this seemingly mundane directive sets in motion the dramatic events of Joseph's betrayal, his enslavement in Egypt, and ultimately, his rise to power, which providentially ensures the survival of Jacob's family and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.

Genesis 37 13 Context

Genesis chapter 37 opens the dramatic account of Joseph, highlighting Jacob’s profound favoritism for his son born to Rachel, evidenced by a distinctive garment. This partiality, combined with Joseph’s prophetic dreams of his family bowing to him, incites deep hatred and jealousy from his older brothers. Amidst this tense family dynamic, the brothers are engaged in their customary pastoral duties, moving Jacob’s vast flocks to find fresh pastures. Their current location is Shechem, a historically problematic area for Jacob’s family, stained by the violence of Simeon and Levi in Genesis 34 following Dinah’s defilement. Despite this background, Jacob (Israel), acting as the patriarch, directs Joseph to go and ensure the well-being of his brothers and their flocks. This instruction, seemingly an ordinary pastoral duty, sets the stage for the dramatic unfolding of God's redemptive plan through Joseph's suffering and elevation.

Genesis 37 13 Word analysis

• Then Israel said:

  • Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisrael): Jacob’s new covenant name (Gen 32:28), signifying his transformed identity as one who "struggles with God" or "God contends." Its use here reminds the reader of the patriarch and God's covenant, framing the subsequent events within God's sovereign plan.
  • said (וַיֹּאמֶר, va-yomer): A standard Hebrew narrative verb, indicating a direct speech. It underscores Jacob's patriarchal authority and the straightforwardness of his command to Joseph.

• to Joseph:

  • Joseph (יוֹסֵף, Yosef): Meaning "He adds" or "May he add," from Rachel's prayer for another son (Gen 30:24). He is depicted as Jacob's beloved and chosen instrument for God's purposes.

• 'Are not your brothers feeding the flocks in Shechem?':

  • Are not (הֲלוֹא, halo’): A rhetorical interrogative particle, translating as "Surely," "Indeed," or "Is it not true?" It conveys Jacob's assumption or general awareness of his sons' location, rather than a genuine question, indicating Jacob's current information is the basis of his decision.
  • your brothers (אַחֶיךָ, ach-ey-cha): Points to the fraternal relationship that is ironically filled with hostility, setting up the impending conflict and betrayal.
  • feeding the flocks (רֹעִים, ro'im): From ra'ah, meaning "to pasture, tend, or shepherd." This highlights their traditional nomadic lifestyle, linking them to their patriarchal heritage of shepherding (e.g., Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) and symbolizing the need for care and guidance.
  • in Shechem (בִּשְׁכֶם, bishkhem): "Shechem" (שְׁכֶם, Shechem), meaning "shoulder." It was a significant and complex site: Abraham’s first altar (Gen 12:6-7), Jacob’s settling place (Gen 33:18-20), but also the scene of violent family revenge (Gen 34). Its mention here immediately evokes a sense of potential danger and unresolved past conflict.

• 'Come, I will send you to them.':

  • Come (לְכָה, le-khah): An imperative verb often translated as "go" or "come now," conveying a direct, immediate command.
  • I will send you (וְאֶשְׁלָחֲךָ, ve-esh-lakh-akha): From the Hebrew verb shalach, meaning "to send, dispatch." This is a key verb often associated with divine missions (e.g., God sending prophets, Moses, or even His Son). Here, it’s Jacob's command, but it prophetically initiates Joseph’s providential journey, turning a seemingly simple errand into a path of suffering leading to redemptive glory (Gen 45:7-8; Ps 105:17).
  • to them (אֲלֵיהֶם, a-ley-hem): Directing Joseph precisely to the source of his coming suffering, highlighting the dangerous assignment within the family.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Then Israel said to Joseph...": This opening emphasizes the paternal authority of Jacob (now identified by his covenant name) and the specific individual chosen for the mission, highlighting the significance of their relationship and setting the personal context for the command.
  • "Are not your brothers feeding the flocks in Shechem?": This rhetorical inquiry establishes the perceived location and activity of the brothers, implicitly conveying Jacob’s concern for their welfare while also referencing a locale notorious for past familial strife, hinting at unforeseen perils.
  • "Come, I will send you to them.": This direct command, employing the loaded verb "send," is the narrative catalyst. It signifies Joseph's dutiful acceptance of a dangerous assignment, marking the moment when God’s seemingly ordinary intervention through Jacob initiates an extraordinary, pre-ordained journey of suffering, elevation, and eventual salvation for His covenant people.

Genesis 37 13 Bonus section

• The Shepherd Motif: The imagery of "feeding the flocks" connects Joseph's family to the foundational occupation of the patriarchs and points forward to God as the ultimate Shepherd of Israel (Psalm 23). Joseph himself later acts as a shepherd of his family by preserving them from famine (Gen 47:17).
• Patriarchal Blindness/Trust: Jacob's decision to send Joseph, given his knowledge of the brothers' hatred and the history of Shechem, reflects either a dangerous degree of trust, an oversight due to Joseph's youth and vulnerability, or perhaps an implicit role in God's deeper purpose beyond his immediate comprehension. It highlights how human agency, even with imperfections, contributes to the divine narrative.
• Irony of Favored Status: The very action intended by a loving father to check on his sons' well-being paradoxically sends his beloved son into the clutches of those who despise him most because of that favoritism.

Genesis 37 13 Commentary

Genesis 37:13 is a succinct yet profoundly pivotal verse. It portrays Jacob, now identified by his sacred name Israel, giving a simple command to his favored son Joseph: "Go and check on your brothers who are pasturing the flocks." This directive, born of a father’s natural concern for his distant children, unwittingly unleashes the chain of events leading to Joseph’s dramatic story of betrayal, slavery, imprisonment, and ultimate triumph. The choice of Shechem as the location adds a layer of ironic peril, recalling previous family trauma and subtly foreshadowing the dangers Joseph will face. Joseph’s immediate obedience to his father’s "sending" mirrors the dutiful servant and sets him on a path that, though painful, providentially aligns with God's overarching plan to preserve the covenant lineage. This moment underscores divine sovereignty, where human intentions and circumstances—even tragic ones—are seamlessly integrated into God’s larger, redemptive design for His people (Gen 50:20), subtly prefiguring a greater "sending" in redemptive history.