Genesis 37:4

4 And his brethren having seen that his father loved him more than all his sons, hated him, and could not speak anything peaceable to him.

Genesis 37:4 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 37:4

And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more
than all his brethren
Which they perceived by various things in his behaviour to him, by his words, his looks, his gestures, and particularly by the coat he had made him, which distinguished him from the rest:

they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him;
they not only inwardly hated him, but they could not conceal their hatred, but betrayed it by their speech unto him; they could not speak to him on any occasion, but in a cross, surly, ill natured manner; they could not salute him, or give him the common salutation, Peace be to thee, as Aben Ezra suggests.

Genesis 37:4 In-Context

2

3 And Jacob loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was to him the son of old age; and he made for him a coat of many colours.

4 And his brethren having seen that his father loved him more than all his sons, hated him, and could not speak anything peaceable to him.

5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and reported it to his brethren.

6 And he said to them, Hear this dream which I have dreamed.