Genesis 37 14

Genesis 37:14 kjv

And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

Genesis 37:14 nkjv

Then he said to him, "Please go and see if it is well with your brothers and well with the flocks, and bring back word to me." So he sent him out of the Valley of Hebron, and he went to Shechem.

Genesis 37:14 niv

So he said to him, "Go and see if all is well with your brothers and with the flocks, and bring word back to me." Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. When Joseph arrived at Shechem,

Genesis 37:14 esv

So he said to him, "Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word." So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

Genesis 37:14 nlt

"Go and see how your brothers and the flocks are getting along," Jacob said. "Then come back and bring me a report." So Jacob sent him on his way, and Joseph traveled to Shechem from their home in the valley of Hebron.

Genesis 37 verses

Genesis 37 14 meaning

Gen 37:14 describes Jacob dispatching his favored son Joseph from the Valley of Hebron to Shechem to check on the welfare of his brothers and their flocks. This seemingly simple parental request becomes a pivotal moment, setting in motion the providential chain of events that leads to Joseph's betrayal by his brothers, his descent into slavery, and eventually, his rise to power in Egypt, ultimately preserving Jacob's household and the line of promise. It highlights Jacob's concern, Joseph's obedience, and unknowingly, God's guiding hand amidst human sin.

Genesis 37 14 Context

Genesis 37:14 is nestled within the narrative of Joseph's early life, specifically following the revelation of his two prophetic dreams which infuriated his brothers, intensifying their pre-existing hatred rooted in Jacob's blatant favoritism. Jacob's deep love for Joseph, evident in the multi-colored tunic (Gen 37:3), had already alienated the brothers. This verse marks a crucial transition; Joseph, previously an indoor figure in his father's house, is now sent into the hostile environment of his brothers' remote pasturing grounds. The immediate context shows a father's seemingly benign request, born out of concern for his family and flocks, initiating a journey that ironically leads to the betrayal and suffering of his favored son. Historically and culturally, pasturing flocks was a common family enterprise, often requiring brothers to journey far for greener pastures. Communication was limited, and journeys could be perilous. Jacob's sending Joseph from the "Valley of Hebron" to "Shechem" carries weight: Hebron was a place of covenant and burial for Abraham and Sarah, while Shechem, a considerable distance away, had previously been a site of violent retaliation by Simeon and Levi (Gen 34) and later apostasy for Israel (Josh 24:1, Judg 9:1). This movement foreshadows trouble for Joseph and for the patriarchal family line.

Genesis 37 14 Word analysis

• And he said to him: Indicating Jacob initiating the conversation and issuing the command. It highlights Jacob's parental authority.
• "Go now," (לֶךְ־נָא - lekh-na): The Hebrew lekh is an imperative, "Go!" The particle na often softens the command, implying a polite request, but still carrying the weight of expectation from father to son. Joseph's immediate obedience is assumed.
• "see" (רְאֵה - re'eh): An imperative from the verb ra'ah, meaning "to see" or "to look." It implies observation, investigation, and reporting, not just a superficial glance. Jacob desires an informed assessment of the situation.
• "if it is well" (הֲשָׁלוֹם - ha-shalom): Literally "Is there peace/completeness?" Shalom (peace) encompasses welfare, safety, prosperity, health, and completeness. Jacob's concern is comprehensive—not just physical safety but holistic well-being for his family members and their valuable assets (flocks).
• "with your brothers" (אֶת־אַחֶיךָ - et-aḥekha): Direct reference to Joseph's half-brothers, who harbored deep resentment towards him. This highlights the relational tension central to the narrative.
• "and with the flocks," (וְאֶת־הַצֹּאן - v'et-ha-tzo'n): The livestock represents the family's wealth, livelihood, and inheritance. Their well-being was economically crucial.
• "and bring me word again." (וְהָשֵׁב אֹתִי דָּבָר - v'hashev oti davar): Literally "and cause me to return a word." Davar can mean "word," "matter," "thing," or "report." It signifies bringing a complete and accurate report back to Jacob. Joseph is expected to report fully.
• So he sent him (וַיִּשְׁלָחֵהוּ - vayyishlakhēhu): "And he sent him." This verb indicates the official commissioning or dispatching, confirming Jacob's action and Joseph's departure. This act of "sending" is deeply significant in biblical narratives, often associated with divine mission or providence.
• from the Valley of Hebron, (מֵעֵמֶק חֶבְרוֹן - me'emek Ḥevron): Hebron (meaning "fellowship" or "confederacy") was a significant location for the patriarchs, a burial site for Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah (Gen 23, Gen 49:31). Jacob's family resided near this important ancestral place. Sending Joseph away from this familial and spiritual anchor is symbolically significant, casting him into the unknown.
• and he came to Shechem. (וַיָּבֹא שְׁכֶמָה - vayyavo sh'khema): Shechem was a fertile plain but also a place with a fraught history for Jacob's family (Gen 34). It was where Jacob's sons had violently avenged Dinah, incurring danger and distress for Jacob. Its association with past trouble foreshadows the conflict that awaits Joseph.

Words-group analysis:

• "Go now, see if it is well... and bring me word again.": This phrase emphasizes Joseph's role as a messenger, dispatched by his father for a specific task of information gathering. It portrays Jacob as a caring but potentially naive parent, oblivious to the deeper currents of sibling rivalry.
• "with your brothers and with the flocks": This coupling shows the inseparable nature of family and livelihood in a nomadic pastoral society. Jacob's concern for the men and their assets is holistic.
• "So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.": This geographical detail highlights the transition. Joseph departs from the symbolic security of Hebron, linked to the Abrahamic covenant and patriarchal legacy, and travels to Shechem, a place of past conflict and a turning point in his life. This journey sets in motion the providential unfolding of God's plan through human actions and failures. The 'sending' from Hebron signals a departure from security towards an uncertain and dangerous path.

Genesis 37 14 Bonus section

Jacob's sending Joseph, the beloved son, to his envious brothers in the field holds prophetic echoes. Just as Joseph was rejected and "sent away" by his own, so too would Jesus, the beloved Son of God (Matt 3:17), be rejected by His own people (John 1:11) when sent by His Father into the world (John 20:21). Both experiences involved suffering, being sold (Matt 26:15), and eventually leading to salvation for many. The journey from the security of the father's house (Hebron's symbolic safety) to a dangerous location (Shechem) prefigures a path of trial that ultimately leads to exaltation and the preservation of God's covenant people. The detailed attention to "peace" (shalom) for both the brothers and the flocks reflects the deep, holistic concern of a good shepherd, a role Jesus later embodies (John 10:11).

Genesis 37 14 Commentary

Genesis 37:14 serves as a pivotal point, initiating the chain of events that defines Joseph's narrative and secures the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob, concerned for his distant family and their livelihoods, dispatches Joseph, his favored son. Joseph's unquestioning obedience to this command, despite knowing his brothers' animosity, reveals his submissive character. The destination, Shechem, is ironic, given the family's troubled history there, hinting at the turmoil awaiting Joseph. This mundane request of a father becomes the catalyst for divine intervention; God orchestrates the evil intentions of Joseph's brothers to serve His redemptive plan. It underscores how even in moments of family discord, poor judgment, and betrayal, God's sovereign hand guides all circumstances to fulfill His purposes for His chosen people. Joseph's "sending" from home foreshadows God's "sending" of Him as a deliverer, mirroring a common biblical theme of divine mission and journey for those used by God, even through suffering. This journey illustrates that even through human treachery, God works for good (Gen 50:20).