Genesis 37:7 kjv

For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

Genesis 37:7 nkjv

There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf."

Genesis 37:7 niv

We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it."

Genesis 37:7 esv

Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf."

Genesis 37:7 nlt

"We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!"

Genesis 37 verses

Genesis 37 7 Meaning

This verse describes the first of two prophetic dreams Joseph received from God. In this dream, Joseph saw himself and his brothers working in a field, binding sheaves of grain. His own sheaf then rose and stood upright, while the sheaves representing his brothers gathered around and bowed down to his sheaf. The dream clearly signified a future position of leadership and authority for Joseph, to which his family, specifically his brothers, would eventually submit.

Genesis 37 7 Context

Genesis chapter 37 marks a pivotal transition in the patriarchal narratives, shifting focus from Jacob to his son Joseph. At this point, Joseph is seventeen years old and is portrayed as his father's favored son, demonstrated by Jacob's gift of a special coat. This favoritism, coupled with Joseph bringing a bad report of his brothers and now recounting prophetic dreams that indicate his superiority, fuels intense jealousy and hatred among his brothers. The immediate context of verse 7 is the sharing of Joseph's first dream with his family, specifically his brothers, who promptly recognize its implications of Joseph's future authority over them. This dream, though seemingly a simple youthful boast to the brothers, is understood by the biblical narrative as a divine revelation foreshadowing Joseph's extraordinary path from a beloved son to an enslaved servant, a prisoner, and ultimately the powerful vizier of Egypt, through whom God would preserve the nascent nation of Israel. Culturally, agrarian life was central, making the imagery of binding sheaves highly relatable, representing daily work and sustenance. Dreams were recognized in the ancient Near East as a significant means of divine communication, though here, the biblical account asserts the true God as the source, implicitly contrasting with pagan methods of divination.

Genesis 37 7 Word analysis

• For behold (וְהִנֵּה - vehinneh): A Hebrew interjection that grabs immediate attention, similar to "And lo!" or "And see!" It emphasizes the extraordinary nature and certainty of what follows, marking it as significant, divinely inspired, or a miraculous event.
• we were binding sheaves (אֲנַחְנוּ מְאַלְּמִים אֲלֻמּוֹת - anachnu me'allim alumot): Describes a common, cooperative agricultural activity of harvesting and bundling grain. The Hebrew root aleph-lamed-mem (אָלַם) signifies "to bind" or "to tie," with alumot meaning "sheaves." This initial imagery establishes a context of shared labor among family members, yet immediately, this unity is subverted by the dream's message.
• in the field (בַּשָּׂדֶה - ba'sadeh): A common and open location, representing the ordinary setting for extraordinary divine revelation.
• and lo (וְהִנֵּה - vehinneh): A second emphatic interjection, underscoring the astonishing and divinely orchestrated moment within the dream itself.
• my sheaf (אֲלֻמָּתִי - alumati): Refers to the individual bundle of grain representing Joseph himself. Its distinct behavior signals his unique identity and future destiny.
• arose and also stood upright (קָמָה וְגַם נִצְּבָה - kamah vegam nitzvah): Kamah (Qal Perfect of קוּם - kum) means "to rise up," implying initiative and prominence. Nitzvah (Niphal Perfect of נָצַב - natsav) means "stood firm" or "was established." The combination indicates not just rising but an unshakeable, elevated position, suggesting divine empowerment and stability in his future role. This is an active and assertive posture, divinely granted.
• and behold (וְהִנֵּה - vehinneh): A third attention-getting interjection, introducing the most surprising and confrontational element of the dream.
• your sheaves (אֲלֻמֹּתֵיכֶם - alumoteychem): Represents Joseph's brothers, implying a collective identity for them in contrast to Joseph's distinctiveness.
• gathered around (סָבִיב - saviv): Meaning "around" or "surrounding," it describes the immediate proximity and encirclement, highlighting their unified movement towards Joseph's sheaf.
• and bowed down (וַתִּשְׁתַּחֲוֶיןָ - vattishtachaveyna): From the root שָׁחָה (shachah), which literally means "to prostrate oneself." This word conveys deep respect, homage, or submission. In a political or social context, it signifies a subservient position, acknowledging superiority. It implies bowing to a king or lord, not necessarily divine worship.
• to my sheaf (לַאֲלֻמָּתִי - la'alumati): Explicitly states the object of the prostration, leaving no ambiguity about who would receive the homage.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For behold, we were binding sheaves in the field,": Establishes a common, ordinary setting of family cooperation, emphasizing the unexpectedness and supernatural intervention in the subsequent events of the dream. The repeated "behold" alerts the audience to the immediate divine significance of the dream.
• "and lo, my sheaf arose and also stood upright;": This phrase powerfully depicts Joseph's unique elevation and stability, highlighting his distinct and divinely ordained prominence that transcends the collective labor and status. The upright standing contrasts with the horizontal, bound sheaves.
• "and behold, your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to my sheaf.": This is the climax of the dream, explicitly showing the submission of the brothers to Joseph. The "gathered around" suggests a deliberate and collective act, leading to the humbling posture of bowing. This aspect directly forecasts the future events where Joseph's brothers would indeed come to Egypt and repeatedly prostrate themselves before him, seeking his favor and provisions. The contrast between his singular elevated sheaf and their surrounding, bowed sheaves powerfully illustrates the future reversal of their family hierarchy.

Genesis 37 7 Bonus section

• The agrarian imagery is not merely illustrative but points to Joseph's later role as the sustainer of his family and surrounding nations, much like a sheaf provides nourishment.
• This first dream focuses on family (the sheaves). Joseph's second dream in verse 9 broadens the scope to include Jacob (the sun) and Rachel (the moon), signaling his eventual influence over the entire family patriarch, not just his brothers.
• Joseph's experience serves as a clear biblical example of divine premonition being literally fulfilled, strengthening faith in God's foreknowledge and ultimate control over history.
• The fact that God chose a dream to reveal this future event underscores the legitimacy and divine origin of prophetic dreams in the biblical narrative, contrasting with practices of divination outside God's command.

Genesis 37 7 Commentary

Genesis 37:7 records Joseph's initial dream, a profound prophetic revelation from God concerning his future preeminence within his family. Despite its simplicity of imagery – a scene from agrarian life – the meaning was unmistakably clear to both Joseph and his brothers. The elevation of Joseph's sheaf and the prostration of his brothers' sheaves directly portended his rise to authority and their subsequent submission. This dream was not born of Joseph's ambition or a figment of youthful imagination; it was a divine impartation. The "behold" interjections throughout the verse serve to underscore the dream's supernatural origin and certainty. For the brothers, the dream ignited a bitter jealousy, transforming favoritism into open animosity, ultimately leading to their plot against him. Paradoxically, their very attempt to thwart the dream (selling Joseph into slavery) became the means by which God would orchestrate its fulfillment, illustrating divine sovereignty that uses even human malice for its purposes. This verse is the first prophetic anchor in Joseph's life, promising a reversal of his status and setting in motion the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for Israel's preservation and formation. It highlights God's ability to communicate His will, declare the future, and meticulously bring it to pass through unforeseen and often difficult circumstances, demonstrating that God's plan cannot be ultimately thwarted by human will or sin.