Genesis 37:31

31 They took Yosef's robe, killed a male goat and dipped the robe in the blood.

Genesis 37:31 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 37:31

And they took Joseph's coat
After they had told Reuben what they had done with him, who being willing to make the best of things as it was, joined with them in the following scheme: by this it appears, that when they took Joseph out of the pit they did not put his coat on him, but sold him naked, or almost so, to the merchants: and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;
that being, as the Targum of Jonathan and Jarchi observe, most like to human blood.

Genesis 37:31 In-Context

29 Re'uven returned to the cistern, and, upon seeing that Yosef wasn't in it, tore his clothes in mourning.
30 He returned to his brothers and said, "The boy isn't there! Where can I go now?"
31 They took Yosef's robe, killed a male goat and dipped the robe in the blood.
32 Then they sent the long-sleeved robe and brought it to their father, saying, "We found this. Do you know if it's your son's robe or not?"
33 He recognized it and cried, "It's my son's robe! Some wild animal has torn Yosef in pieces and eaten him!"
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.