« Return to Online Bible

Genesis 37:4

King James Version (KJV)

And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

Translations

Genesis 37:4 - Amplified Bible

But when his brothers saw that their father loved [Joseph] more than all of his brothers, they hated him and could not say, Peace [in friendly greeting] to him {or} speak peaceably to him.

Genesis 37:4 - American Standard Version

And his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren; and they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

Genesis 37:4 - Bible in Basic English

And because his brothers saw that Joseph was dearer to his father than all the others, they were full of hate for him, and would not say a kind word to him.

Genesis 37:4 - Darby Bible

And his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, and they hated him, and could not greet him with friendliness.

Genesis 37:4 - English Standard Version

But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

Genesis 37:4 - King James Version

And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

Genesis 37:4 - La Biblia de las Americas

Y vieron sus hermanos que su padre lo amaba más que a todos sus hermanos; por eso lo odiaban y no podìan hablarle amistosamente (Lit., en paz).

Genesis 37:4 - The Message

Genesis 37:4 - New American Standard Bible

His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and {so} they hated him and could not speak to him (Lit {in peace}) on friendly terms.

Genesis 37:4 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Y sus hermanos vieron que su padre amaba más a José que a todos ellos; por eso lo odiaban y no podìan hablarle amistosamente.

Genesis 37:4 - World English Bible

His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, and they hated him, and couldn`t speak peaceably to him.

Genesis 37:4 - Young's Living Translation

and his brethren see that their father hath loved him more than any of his brethren, and they hate him, and have not been able to speak [to] him peaceably.

Genesis 37:4 - Additional Comments

Paternal favoritism of one child over another will surely lead to aggravation in the ones receiving the least affections, and we are commanded against that (Eph 6:4). We need to go out of our way to treat all the same.
Isn't it interesting that the conflict and hatred between the brothers was as a direct result of actions of the father, and not the brothers? There are many situations where this may be the case. Look at conflicts in your home between other members, and see how much you have influenced them towards that conflict.
You can certainly understand how the brothers could feel that way towards Joseph. I mean, wouldn't we feel the same way? Yet, we are commanded to love, without bitterness, and even help, those who wrong you (1 Cor 13:5 - NIV - love keeps no record of wrongs), as Jesus did (1 Pet 2:23). Bitterness will destroy you, and responding in love will give you peace. God has given us the power to do this (2 Tim 1:7), and the means of escaping the temptation (1 Cor 10:13).
Is there any sibling conflict from the past that you need to resolve? Either where you need to tell of hurt felt, or to go ask forgiveness?

Comments are closed.