Bible Commentary

The Famine Drives Jacob’s Family to Egypt (Genesis 42:1-3) Genesis 42 begins amid the severe famine foretold in Genesis 41. The famine affects the entire region, including Canaan, where Jacob and his family live. Hearing that Egypt still has grain, Jacob sends his ten sons (excluding Benjamin, his youngest) to Egypt to buy food (Genesis […]

Pharaoh’s Troubling Dreams (Genesis 41:1-8) Genesis 41 opens with Pharaoh, king of Egypt, experiencing two disturbing dreams within one night. In the first dream, he sees seven fat and healthy cows coming out of the Nile River, followed by seven thin and gaunt cows that devour the healthy ones (Genesis 41:1-4). In the second dream,

Joseph’s Position in Prison (Genesis 40:1-3) Genesis 40 opens with Joseph securely placed in prison in Egypt, following the false accusation and imprisonment in Genesis 39. Despite being a prisoner, Joseph remains in charge of other prisoners, reflecting God’s ongoing favor (Genesis 39:22-23). Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and chief baker are also imprisoned for offenses against

Joseph Sold into Potiphar’s House (Genesis 39:1-6) Genesis 39 resumes the story of Joseph after his brothers sold him into Egypt (Genesis 37:36). Joseph is bought by Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard (Genesis 39:1). Despite being a foreign slave, Joseph finds favor with Potiphar because the LORD is with him,

Judah Leaves His Brothers (Genesis 38:1-5) Genesis 38 shifts focus from Joseph to Judah, one of Jacob’s twelve sons. Judah leaves his brothers and marries a Canaanite woman named Shua (Genesis 38:2). They have three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah (Genesis 38:3-5). This chapter introduces themes of family responsibility, justice, and redemption. Er’s Marriage to

Jacob Settles in Canaan and Favors Joseph (Genesis 37:1-4) Genesis 37 begins by introducing Joseph, Jacob’s favorite son born to Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife. Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons and gave him a richly ornamented coat, often called the “coat of many colors” (Genesis 37:3). This favoritism caused Joseph’s brothers to hate

The Descendants of Esau in Canaan (Genesis 36:1-5) Genesis 36 begins by listing the generations of Esau, who is also called Edom (Genesis 36:1). Esau’s wives are named: Esau’s sons born in Canaan are: Esau Moves to Seir (Genesis 36:6-8) Esau takes his wives, sons, daughters, servants, livestock, and goods, and moves from the land

God Calls Jacob to Bethel (Genesis 35:1) After the violent events of Genesis 34, God speaks to Jacob, telling him to go to Bethel, dwell there, and build an altar to the God who appeared to him when he fled from Esau (Genesis 35:1; cf. Genesis 28:10-22). This command recalls Jacob’s vow at Bethel years

Dinah Visits the Women of the Land (Genesis 34:1) Genesis 34 opens with Dinah, the daughter of Leah and Jacob, going out to visit the women of the land. This seems like an innocent act, but it places her in a vulnerable position among the Canaanites—people with very different moral and spiritual values (Genesis 34:1).

Jacob Sees Esau Approaching (Genesis 33:1-3) Genesis 33 opens with Jacob lifting his eyes and seeing Esau coming—with four hundred men (Genesis 33:1). The sight must have stirred intense fear in Jacob, given their history (Genesis 27:41). Jacob immediately arranges his family into groups: This arrangement shows both his protective instincts and the special place