Genesis 37:31

31 And they took Joseph's vest, and slaughtered a buck of the goats, and dipped the vest 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 And Reuben returned to the pit, and behold, Joseph [was] not in the pit; and he rent his garments,

30 and returned to his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, where shall I go?

31 And they took Joseph's vest, and slaughtered a buck of the goats, and dipped the vest in the blood;

32 and they sent the vest of many colours and had it carried to their father, and said, This have we found: discern now whether it is thy son's vest or not.

33 And he discerned it, and said, [It is] my son's vest! an evil beast has devoured him: Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces!