Genesis 37:31

Arabic Simplified (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

فَأخَذُوا ثَوْبَ يُوسُفَ، وَذَبَحُوا تَيسًا وَغَمَّسُوا مِعْطَفَهُ بِالدَّمِ.

What Does This Mean?

This verse describes Joseph's brothers killing a goat and dipping Joseph's coat in its blood to make it look like Joseph had been killed. They did this to deceive their father Jacob. The key message is about the deceitfulness of Joseph's brothers and their plan to cover up their actions.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a favorite coat, and your brothers take it and dip it in paint to make it look like something bad happened to you. They do this to trick your parents into thinking you are not okay. This is what Joseph's brothers did with his special coat.

Historical Background

The book of Genesis was written by Moses around 1440-1400 BCE. The audience was the Israelites, and the cultural setting was during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. This story serves as part of the larger narrative of Joseph’s life and his rise to power in Egypt.

Living It Out Today

In today's world, this verse can remind us of the consequences of deceit and the importance of honesty. For instance, if a friend tells a lie to cover up a mistake, we can see how this can lead to bigger problems and mistrust among friends.

Topics

• deceit
• family
• betrayal
• forgiveness
• trust
• conflict

Related Verses

• Genesis 37:18-20
• Genesis 37:33-35
• Genesis 42:21
• 1 Kings 21:9
• John 8:44

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Joseph's brothers choose to dip the coat in goat blood?

They wanted to make their father believe that a wild animal had killed Joseph, which would explain the absence of his body and justify their grief.

What was the significance of Joseph's coat?

The coat of many colors was a symbol of Jacob's favor towards Joseph, which made Joseph’s brothers jealous and contributed to their plot against him.

What can we learn about forgiveness from this story?

While this verse focuses on deceit, Joseph later forgave his brothers and this story can teach us the power of forgiveness and moving past betrayal.

How does this relate to the theme of betrayal in other parts of the Bible?

This story of deceit and betrayal is echoed in other parts of the Bible, such as the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, showing a recurring theme of trust and its violation.