Genesis 37:31

31 And having taken the coat of Joseph, they slew a kid of the goats, and stained the coat with 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 And Ruben returned to the pit, and sees not Joseph in the pit; and he rent his garments.

30 And he returned to his brethren and said, The boy is not; and I, whither am I yet to go?

31 And having taken the coat of Joseph, they slew a kid of the goats, and stained the coat with 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 if it be thy son's coat or no. And he recognised it, and said, It is my son's coat, an evil wild beast has devoured him; a wild beast has carried off Joseph.

33 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth on his loins, and mourned for his son many days.