Genesis 37:16 kjv

And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.

Genesis 37:16 nkjv

So he said, "I am seeking my brothers. Please tell me where they are feeding their flocks."

Genesis 37:16 niv

He replied, "I'm looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?"

Genesis 37:16 esv

"I am seeking my brothers," he said. "Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock."

Genesis 37:16 nlt

"I'm looking for my brothers," Joseph replied. "Do you know where they are pasturing their sheep?"

Genesis 37 verses

Genesis 37 16 Meaning

Gen 37:16 captures Joseph's earnest search for his brothers. He, obedient to his father Jacob, travels from Hebron to Shechem and, finding no trace of them there, politely inquires of a stranger about their whereabouts, specifically their grazing location. This seemingly simple request is pivotal, setting the stage for his betrayal by his brothers and initiating a complex series of events that will ultimately lead to his imprisonment, exaltation in Egypt, and the salvation of his family from famine, demonstrating God's sovereign hand in seemingly ordinary circumstances.

Genesis 37 16 Context

Genesis chapter 37 marks the beginning of Joseph's narrative, a significant portion of the book of Genesis. Joseph, favored by Jacob and recipient of prophetic dreams, is already a source of animosity for his elder brothers. His father sends him to check on them and their flocks, who had traveled from the family encampment near Hebron to Shechem. Shepherding often required moving to new pastures. This verse describes Joseph's situation upon arriving in Shechem: his brothers are not there, and he has evidently searched without success. The man he encounters, as detailed in the preceding verse (Gen 37:15), is a pivotal figure who directs Joseph towards Dothan, where the true climax of their brotherhood conflict will unfold. This verse, therefore, highlights Joseph's filial obedience and his vulnerable position, acting as a crucial narrative link to the ensuing betrayal and God's overarching plan.

Genesis 37 16 Word analysis

• And he said (וַיֹּאמֶר, va-yōmer): This common Hebrew narrative connector (וַיִּקְטֹל, vayyiqtol) indicates sequential action. "He" refers to Joseph, who is actively responding to the stranger's inquiry about his state (Gen 37:15, "What do you seek?"). This immediately shows Joseph's directness and purpose.

• I seek (אֲנִי מְבַקֵּשׁ, ani mevaqqēš): This uses the active participle מְבַקֵּשׁ (mevaqqēš) of the verb בָּקַשׁ (bāqash), meaning "to seek," "to search for," or "to request." The inclusion of the personal pronoun אֲנִי (ani, "I") adds emphasis to his personal undertaking. The term בָּקַשׁ often implies an earnest and diligent search, highlighting Joseph's commitment to his father's command. This reflects his inherent dutiful character even at a young age.

• my brethren (אֶת־אַחַי, et-achay): אַחַי (achay) means "my brothers." The untranslated Hebrew particle אֵת (et) preceding "my brethren" is the direct object marker, which grammatically emphasizes "my brothers" as the direct, specific object of his earnest seeking. This points to the intense, personal focus of Joseph's quest. Ironically, the very ones he seeks are the ones who will soon betray him.

• tell me, I pray thee (הַגִּידָה־נָּא, haggīdāh-nā’):

  • הַגִּידָה (haggīdāh) is a Hiphil imperative from נָגַד (nagad), meaning "to tell" or "to report." The Hiphil stem denotes a causative action – "cause to know" or "make known."
  • נָּא (nā’) is a particle of entreaty or request, commonly translated as "please" or "I pray thee." Its inclusion here demonstrates Joseph's politeness and earnest appeal to the stranger for crucial information. It also implies a certain vulnerability and dependence on assistance in his search.

• where they feed their flocks (אֵיפֹה הֵם רֹעִים, ēyphoh hēm rōʿīm):

  • אֵיפֹה (ēyphoh) is the interrogative adverb "where."
  • הֵם רֹעִים (hēm rōʿīm) means "they are pasturing" or "they are shepherding." רֹעִים (rōʿīm) is the active participle plural of רָעָה (raʿah), "to pasture" or "to feed." This specific detail confirms that Joseph understands their profession and movement. He isn't just asking where are they? but where are they in the course of their daily work and travels as shepherds? This phrase gives context to their movement, as shepherds regularly relocate for better pastures, explaining why they wouldn't be in the original expected location.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "I seek my brethren": This phrase encapsulates Joseph's obedience, familial loyalty, and proactive nature. It immediately identifies the driving force behind his current presence in this unfamiliar place, foreshadowing the complex familial drama. It echoes humanity's need to seek (whether knowledge, security, or even God) and God's own act of seeking (e.g., lost sheep, Gen 3:9 for Adam).
  • "tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks": This combination highlights Joseph's courteous and practical approach. The politeness (נָּא) contrasts sharply with the impending violent act of his brothers. The specificity of "where they feed their flocks" reflects the nature of their pastoral lifestyle and the immediate, practical need for finding them. This quest, driven by obedience and concern, ironically leads him into the path of his treacherous brothers.

Genesis 37 16 Bonus section

The seemingly coincidental encounter with "a man" in Gen 37:15-17 is interpreted by many scholars and traditional Jewish commentators as an instance of divine intervention, perhaps even an angelic encounter, directing Joseph to Dothan. While the text simply calls him אִישׁ (man), his timely appearance and knowledge, especially given Joseph's predicament of being "lost in the field," suggests a providential guiding hand. Joseph's persistent searching, guided by this "man," sets the stage for a dramatic turning point. This instance underscores a recurring biblical theme where God uses seemingly ordinary encounters to advance His extraordinary plan, a concept that reappears in events like Moses and the burning bush or the Angel of the Lord's appearances.

Genesis 37 16 Commentary

Genesis 37:16, though a brief dialogue, is a profoundly significant moment in biblical history. Joseph's statement is driven by obedience to his father, reflecting his dutiful and upright character before his traumatic ordeal. His polite query to the unknown man shows his vulnerability and reliance on outside help in a foreign land, emphasizing that he is a boy on a mission for his family. The irony is poignant: Joseph's diligent search for his brothers, an act of familial responsibility, directly leads him into their grasp and the ensuing conspiracy against his life. This verse serves as the immediate narrative trigger for Joseph's suffering and eventual exaltation, subtly weaving in the theme of divine providence using human free will (and evil) to accomplish a greater purpose. It reminds us that often, the path to fulfilling God's design can begin with an unassuming question or simple act of obedience.