Explanation: Of the seven pictures above, the first four are of a more symbolic nature than the final three -- particularly the fourth painting which represents Joseph's brothers not merely as stars, as in Joseph's second dream, but as falling stars, symbolizing their fall from power under Joseph. This was particularly realized in Egypt when Joseph was made second ruler in the land and his family came and lived under his rule; and later it was realized when the Ephraimite branch of Joseph's house took control of ten of the twelve tribes during the period of the divided kingdom. The first painting represents the report of evil which Joseph brought against his brothers; the second represents his coat of many colors symbolizing his status in his father's eyes; the third represents his dream that the sheaves of the field bowed down to his sheaf.
     Genesis 37 focuses on the conflict between Joseph and his brothers. Verse 2 is the beginning of a major section ("The Generations of Jacob") which extends into the next book (Genesis 37:2 - Exodus 6:13). This section covers the years 1898 B.C. - 1446 B.C. and takes place in Canaan & Egypt. The chapter opens with the words "And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan" (1). In the next verse, "the generations of Jacob" opens with Joseph, who was 17, bringing an evil report to Jacob against the sons of Rachel's handmaiden Bilhah (Dan and Naphtali) and the sons of Leah's handmaiden Zilpah (Gad and Asher) - (2). All of Jacob's sons hated Joseph and could not greet him with the usual greeting of "shalom -- peace be to you") because Jacob loved Joseph more than all of them and made him a "coat of many colors" (3-4) -- literally, "coat of palms of the hand or soles of the feet -- variously translated as "coat of many (colored) pieces," "long coat," "coat reaching to the hands," "coat reaching to the feet," "coat reaching to the hands and feet," or "tunic of distinction." The latter translation is probably the best interpretive rendering.
     Later, Joseph had a dream which made his brothers hate him all the more when he told it to them (5). In the dream Joseph and his brothers were binding sheaves in the field and his sheaf stood upright, and the sheaves of his brothers bowed down to it; this dream of rule over his brothers was dismissed by them with scorn, and their hatred for him intensified (6-8). But Joseph had another dream in which the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to him; his father rebuked this idea that all of the family would bow down to him; "And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying" (9-11).
     Later, Jacob sent Joseph to gather a report about his brothers who were herding the flocks some distance away; and, with the help of a man he encountered on the way, he found them in Dothan (12-17). When his brothers saw him coming they conspired to kill him; but Reuben persuaded them to cast him in a nearby dry pit with the hope of delivering him later; so they removed his coat and cast him into the pit (18-24). They then sold Joseph to a passing band of merchants headed for Egypt; in the passage they are called Ishmeelites or Midianites -- either because they were a mixed group or because "Ishmeelite" was the general term and "Midianite" was the specific term for these traders (25-28). Reuben was absent when this transaction happened and was distressed when he found out about it; but, to cover the crime, the brothers dipped Joseph's coat in goat's blood and presented it to Jacob who fell into great distress and inconsolable mourning, thinking that Joseph had been devoured by a wild beast; meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph to Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh's guard (29-36).

     ²⁹ And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes. ³⁰ And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go? ³¹ And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; ³² And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no. ³³ And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces. ³⁴ And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. ³⁵ And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him. ³⁶ And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.

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