Genesis 37:32

32 They had the long robe with sleeves taken to their father, and they said, "This we have found; see now whether it is your son's robe or not."

Genesis 37:32 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 37:32

And they sent the coat of [many] colours
Which was what they dipped in the blood of the kid; this they sent to Jacob in such a condition, by the hand of some messenger; the Targum of Jonathan says, the sons of Zilpah and Bilhah; but more probably some of their servants, whom they instructed what to say to their father when they presented it to him; not caring to appear in person at first, lest they be thrown into such commotion and confusion at their father's distress, as might tend to lead on to a discovery of the whole affair: and they brought [it] to their father, and said, this we have found;
that is, the messengers carried to the father of Joseph's brethren, who were sent with it, and taught to say, that they found it in some field in this condition, but found no man near it, only that by itself, and suspected it might be the coat of his son Joseph, if he had sent him out in it: know now whether it [be] thy son's coat or no;
look upon it, see if any marks can be observed in it, by which it may with any certainty be known whether it his or not.

Genesis 37:32 In-Context

30 He returned to his brothers, and said, "The boy is gone; and I, where can I turn?"

31 Then they took Joseph's robe, slaughtered a goat, and dipped the robe in the blood.

32 They had the long robe with sleeves taken to their father, and they said, "This we have found; see now whether it is your son's robe or not."

33 He recognized it, and said, "It is my son's robe! A wild animal has devoured him; Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces."

34 Then Jacob tore his garments, and put sackcloth on his loins, and mourned for his son many days.

Footnotes

• [a]. See note on 37.3