Genesis 37:18

18 Joseph's brothers saw him coming from far away. Before he reached them, they made a plan to kill him.

Genesis 37:18 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 37:18

And when they saw him afar off
They knew him as soon as they saw him, by his stature, his gesture or manner of walking, and especially by his coat of various colours he now had on, ( Genesis 37:23 ) ;

even before he came near unto them;
the distance he was from them when they first spied him is particularly remarked and repeated, not to show the quickness of their sight, but for the sake of what follows; to observe how soon their passions were raised, how intense and prepense their malice, and which put them upon devising ways and means to destroy him, for it follows:

they conspired against him, to slay him;
they entered into a consultation, and devised the most crafty methods they could think of to take away his life, and yet conceal the murder.

Genesis 37:18 In-Context

16 Joseph answered, "I am looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing the flocks?"

17 The man said, "They have already gone. I heard them say they were going to Dothan." So Joseph went to look for his brothers and found them in Dothan.

18 Joseph's brothers saw him coming from far away. Before he reached them, they made a plan to kill him.

19 They said to each other, "Here comes that dreamer.

20 Let's kill him and throw his body into one of the wells. We can tell our father that a wild animal killed him. Then we will see what will become of his dreams."