Genesis 37:31-36·~1 min

Jacob Mourns Joseph

Joseph’s brothers stain his robe with goat’s blood and present it to Jacob, who reads the sign exactly as they intend. He tears his clothes and refuses comfort, grieving Joseph as lost to death.

T³¹hen they took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood. ³²They sent the robe of many colors to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe or not.” ³³His father recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! A vicious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!” ³⁴Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days. ³⁵All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No, ” he said. “I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him.

Far from Jacob’s mourning, Joseph is sold in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh.

³⁶Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.

Section summaryThe brothers hide their betrayal inside a practiced lie, and Jacob receives it as the death of his son. While he sinks into inconsolable grief, Joseph’s story continues elsewhere in Egypt.

Role in the chapterThis closing section seals the family’s rupture and lets its grief settle over Jacob’s house. At the same time, it keeps Joseph alive in the reader’s sight and shifts the story toward Egypt.