Genesis 37:33

33 And the father acknowledging it, said: It is my son’s coat, an evil wild beast hath eaten him, a beast hath devoured Joseph.

Genesis 37:33 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 37:33

And he knew [it], and said, [it is] my son's coat
He took it, and examined it, and was soon convinced, and well assured it was his son's coat; read the words without the supplement "it is", and the pathos will appear the more, "my son's coat!" and think with what a beating heart, with what trembling limbs, with what wringing of hands, with what flowing eyes, and faultering speech, he spoke these words, and what follow: an evil beast hath devoured him;
this was natural to conclude from the condition the coat was in, and from the country he was sent into, which abounded with wild beasts, and was the very thing Joseph's brethren contrived to say themselves; and in this view they wished and hoped the affair would be considered, and so their wickedness concealed: Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces;
or "in rending is rent" ^F4; he is most certainly rent in pieces, there is no question to be made of it; it is plain, and it must be the case.

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 (Prj Prj) "discerpendo discerptus est"; Drusius, Schmidt.

Genesis 37:33 In-Context

31 And they took his coat, and dipped it in the blood of a kid, which they had killed:

32 Sending some to carry it to their father, and to say: This we have found: see whether it be thy son’s coat, or not.

33 And the father acknowledging it, said: It is my son’s coat, an evil wild beast hath eaten him, a beast hath devoured Joseph.

34 And tearing his garments, he put on sackcloth, mourning for his son a long time.

35 And all his children being gathered together to comfort their father in his sorrow, he would not receive comfort, but said: I will go down to my son into hell, mourning. And whilst he continued weeping,