Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 37בְּרֵאשִׁית ל״ז

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Joseph first appears in a household already primed for fracture rather than in the courts where his later exaltation will unfold. Jacob is settled in Canaan, yet his house is anything but settled: paternal favoritism, a marked garment, accusatory reporting, and dreams of superiority sharpen existing tensions into active hatred. This movement therefore introduces Joseph not simply as a dreamer, but as the figure through whom the toledot of Jacob narrows into providential crisis. His brothers' hostility moves from inward resentment to plotted murder, then to mitigated violence, sale, and deception, while Jacob himself is drawn into a grief produced by the same garment that had signaled special love. Dreams, envy, fraternal betrayal, commercial transit, and false mourning are thus bound together in a single descent scene. What begins in the land of the fathers ends in Egypt, and the path there is shown to run through the sins, fears, and divided affections of Jacob's own household.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. Joseph's story begins here with a household already destabilized by favoritism, accusatory speech, and dreams of ascendancy, so that Jacob's toledot narrows immediately into fraternal hatred and providential descent. Verse 2 itself is compact and debated in several respects. Joseph is seventeen, shepherding with his brothers, and described as a נער with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah; the term should preserve youthfulness without collapsing into immaturity alone, and the relation of the phrase to his role among those brothers should be rendered carefully. The closing clause, that Joseph brought their evil report to their father, should retain its morally charged ambiguity: whether the report is fully accurate, tendentious, or simply damaging, the narrative marks it as a factor in the household fracture. Verse 3's בן זקנים is also important. It can denote a son of old age or a specially cherished late-born son, and either way it explains Israel's distinctive affection without justifying the visible favoritism embodied in the כתנת פסים. The garment itself is a famous crux; it likely denotes a long or ornamented tunic associated with special status, and it should not be reduced to a falsely precise modern image if the Hebrew does not require one. Verses 5-11 turn on dreams and their narration. Joseph's sheaf-dream and celestial dream should retain their symbolic concreteness, while the brothers' and father's responses make clear that the dreams are understood as claims of future ascendancy. In verse 8 the doubled המלך תמלך / משול תמשל should preserve the intensification of royal and dominative language. Verse 10's inclusion of 'your mother' has long been discussed, especially in light of Rachel's death in Genesis 35; the line is best preserved as spoken rhetoric within the family scene rather than prematurely harmonized away. Verse 11's contrast is decisive: the brothers envy, but the father keeps the matter. From verse 12 onward, the narrative shifts from dream disclosure to enacted betrayal. The location sequence from Shechem to Dothan is narratively important, since Joseph must search for his brothers before becoming vulnerable to their plot. Verse 18's ויתנכלו signals deliberate scheming. In verse 20 the brothers propose murder and interpretive control together: they will kill Joseph and then declare that a wild beast devoured him, thereby testing what will become of his dreams. Reuben's intervention in verses 21-22 must retain its double character: he opposes bloodshed openly while secretly planning rescue. Verse 24's notice that the pit was empty, with no water in it, is more than topographical filler; it heightens the image of abandonment while preparing the nonlethal outcome. Verses 25-28 present the caravan and the sale, and the relationship among Ishmaelites, Midianites, and Medanites in this chapter and its close has generated sustained discussion. The It presents it stands, preserving the shifting group labels rather than harmonizing them flatly. Judah's speech in verses 26-27 is morally compromised mercy: he rejects murder, not betrayal, and cloaks the sale in kinship language even while commodifying his brother. Verse 28's twenty pieces of silver should remain a concrete price, not a generalized payment formula. In verses 29-30 Reuben returns too late and voices the first explicit recognition of irreversibility. Verses 31-35 then stage the deception of Jacob through the bloodied tunic. The imperative הכר־נא is especially pointed, since the brothers ask their father to identify what they themselves already know, and the scene becomes an act of managed interpretation. Jacob's response in verse 33 accepts the false explanation, and his mourning in verses 34-35 should retain both its ritual forms and its refusal of consolation. The declaration כי־ארד אל־בני אבל שאלה is one of the narrative's emotional peaks, and שאול here should preserve the grave/underworld register of descent rather than being softened into mere sadness. Verse 36 closes by relocating Joseph in Egypt under Potiphar, Pharaoh's officer and chief of the slaughterers/guard, thus turning familial betrayal into the first stage of the larger providential descent. Versification follows the MT.

1

וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב יַעֲקֹ֔ב בְּאֶ֖רֶץ מְגוּרֵ֣י אָבִ֑יו בְּאֶ֖רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן

And Jacob dwelt in the land of his father's sojournings, in the land of Canaan.

SettingAnd
Jacob appears settled in the ancestral land, creating a calm surface before the household rupture that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיֵּ֣שֶׁבand he dweltQal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, inhabit'; opens the Joseph cycle with apparent settlement in the land.
יַעֲקֹ֔בJacobproper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of וַיֵּשֶׁביַעֲקֹב (H3290), the patriarch; name means heel-grabber; the Jacob/Israel duality continues through the chapter.
בְּאֶ֖רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N f sg cstr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; in cstr with מְגוּרֵי, specifying the territory of ancestral sojourning.
מְגוּרֵ֣יsojournings ofN m pl cstr · מָגוּר (H4033)Construct chain (genitival)מָגוּר (H4033) 'sojourning, temporary dwelling', from גּוּר 'to sojourn as alien'; marks land as held but not owned.
אָבִ֑יוhis fatherN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · אָב (H1)Genitive of מְגוּרֵיאָב (H1) 'father'; refers to Isaac, linking Jacob to the patriarchal chain of sojourning in Canaan.
בְּאֶ֖רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N f sg cstr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Appositive locative phraseאֶרֶץ (H776); second occurrence specifies the first: the land of sojourning is the land of Canaan.
כְּנָֽעַןCanaanproper noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive / appositive of אֶרֶץכְּנַעַן (H3667), the promised ancestral territory; Jacob's presence here is the settled surface before descent.
2

אֵ֣לֶּה תֹּלְד֣וֹת יַעֲקֹ֗ב יוֹסֵ֞ף בֶּן שְׁבַֽע עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה שָׁנָה֙ הָיָ֨ה רֹעֶ֤ה אֶת אֶחָיו֙ בַּצֹּ֔אן וְה֣וּא נַ֗עַר אֶת בְּנֵ֥י בִלְהָ֛ה וְאֶת בְּנֵ֥י זִלְפָּ֖ה נְשֵׁ֣י אָבִ֑יו וַיָּבֵ֥א יוֹסֵ֛ף אֶת דִּבָּתָ֥ם רָעָ֖ה אֶל אֲבִיהֶֽם

These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; and he was still a youth with the sons of Bilhah and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought their evil report to their father.

Toledot headingThese are
The toledot of Jacob narrows immediately to Joseph, whose youth, association within the household, and damaging report already place him at the center of emerging family tension.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
אֵ֣לֶּהthese aredem pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of toledot headingאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; standard toledot formula opener marking a major narrative unit.
תֹּלְד֣וֹתthe generations ofN f pl cstr · תּוֹלְדוֹת (H8435)Predicate noun of headingתּוֹלְדוֹת (H8435) 'generations, account', from יָלַד 'to bear'; Genesis structuring formula narrowing Jacob's line to Joseph.
יַעֲקֹ֗בJacobproper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Genitive of תּוֹלְדוֹתיַעֲקֹב (H3290); the toledot is named for Jacob but immediately narrows to Joseph's story.
יוֹסֵ֞ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Nominative absolute (topical introduction)יוֹסֵף (H3130), from יָסַף 'to add'; abruptly introduced as the center of Jacob's toledot.
בֶּןson of / agedN m sg cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate in age formulaבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; in the idiom בֶּן + numeral + שָׁנָה = 'X years old'.
שְׁבַֽעsevenAdj f sg abs (cardinal) · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Numeral in age phraseשֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; combined with עֶשְׂרֵה gives seventeen — Joseph's age at this opening.
עֶשְׂרֵ֤הteen (seventeen)Adj f sg abs · עֶשְׂרֵה (H6240)Second numeral in age phraseעֶשְׂרֵה (H6240) 'ten (teen suffix)'; with שֶׁבַע completes the number seventeen.
שָׁנָה֙years oldN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Measure noun in age formulaשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; the standard measure noun completing the age idiom.
הָיָ֨הhe wasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (circumstantial clause)→ Perfective: background state underlying the narrativeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; perf introduces a background circumstantial clause describing Joseph's situation.
רֹעֶ֤הshepherdingQal ptc m sg abs · רָעָה (H7462)Participle predicate (durative activity)→ Participle: ongoing progressive activityרָעָה (H7462) 'to shepherd, tend the flock'; Qal ptc depicts continuous activity alongside the brothers.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Comitative prepositionאֵת (H854) 'with'; comitative use — Joseph tends the flock together with his brothers.
אֶחָיו֙his brothersN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Object of comitative prepאָח (H251) 'brother'; the sibling group whose hostility will define the chapter.
בַּצֹּ֔אןwith the flockprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · צֹאן (H6629)Locative prepositional phraseצֹאן (H6629) 'flock, sheep and goats'; the pastoral economic context of the brothers.
וְה֣וּאand he wasconj וְ + pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Contrastive clause subjectהוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun; nominal clause shift singles out Joseph's distinct role among the concubine sons.
נַ֗עַרa youth / attendantN m sg abs · נַעַר (H5288)Predicate noun (nominal clause)נַעַר (H5288) 'youth, lad'; conveys both youth and attendant status within the shepherd group.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Comitative prepositionאֵת (H854) 'with'; comitative — Joseph is with the sons of the concubines Bilhah and Zilpah.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; cstr before the mother's name identifies the sub-group within the household.
בִלְהָ֛הBilhahproper noun · בִּלְהָה (H1090)Genitive of בְּנֵיבִּלְהָה (H1090), Rachel's handmaid, mother of Dan and Naphtali; placement with her sons may signal Joseph's lower-status social grouping.
וְאֶתand withconj וְ + prep · אֵת (H854)Coordinating conj + comitative prepוְ + אֵת comitative, coordinating the second group of concubine sons.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; second parallel cstr construction.
זִלְפָּ֖הZilpahproper noun · זִלְפָּה (H2153)Genitive of בְּנֵיזִלְפָּה (H2153), Leah's handmaid, mother of Gad and Asher.
נְשֵׁ֣יwives ofN f pl cstr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositive construct (identifying the mothers)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; pl cstr nišê — appositive clarifying that Bilhah and Zilpah were Jacob's wives.
אָבִ֑יוhis fatherN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · אָב (H1)Genitive of נְשֵׁיאָב (H1) 'father'; Jacob is named as father, locating these concubines within his household structure.
וַיָּבֵ֥אand he broughtHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring, cause to come'; Joseph delivers a report — the act that begins the household fracture.
יוֹסֵ֛ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיָּבֵאיוֹסֵף (H3130); named again here, foregrounding his agency in the bad-report action.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite object דִּבָּתָם.
דִּבָּתָ֥םtheir (evil) reportN f sg cstr + 3mp suf · דִּבָּה (H1681)Direct object of וַיָּבֵאדִּבָּה (H1681) 'ill report, slander, whispering', from דָּבַב 'to murmur'; a morally charged term for damaging speech.
רָעָ֖הevilAdj f sg abs · רָע (H7451)Attributive adjective modifying דִּבָּהרָע (H7451) 'evil, bad, wicked'; here attributive, characterizing the report as harmful or malicious.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the recipient of the damaging report.
אֲבִיהֶֽםtheir fatherN m sg cstr + 3mp suf · אָב (H1)Object of directional prepאָב (H1) 'father'; Jacob, the father who receives the divisive report, is its destination.
3

וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אָהַ֤ב אֶת יוֹסֵף֙ מִכָּל בָּנָ֔יו כִּֽי בֶן זְקֻנִ֥ים ה֖וּא ל֑וֹ וְעָ֥שָׂה ל֖וֹ כְּתֹ֥נֶת פַּסִּֽים

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was a son of old age to him; and he made for him a tunic of distinction.

FavoritismNow
The narrative names the father's preference openly and materializes it in the special garment, making favoritism visible rather than merely felt.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֗לnow Israelconj וְ + proper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Adversative/contextual conjunction + Subjectיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the name-shift from יַעֲקֹב signals the patriarch in covenant identity making this defining family act.
אָהַ֤בlovedQal perf 3ms · אָהַב (H157)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: settled enduring dispositionאָהַב (H157) 'to love'; Qal perf denotes a deep established emotional state, not a single occasion.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks יוֹסֵף as the definite direct object of אָהַב.
יוֹסֵף֙Josephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Direct object of אָהַביוֹסֵף (H3130); the recipient of Israel's singular love, which will provoke fraternal hatred.
מִכָּלmore than allprep מִן + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Comparative prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; with מִן = 'more than all', expressing superlative degree of paternal preference.
בָּנָ֔יוhis sonsN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of כָּלבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the totality of Jacob's sons against whom Joseph is singled out.
כִּֽיbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; causal, introducing the stated reason for Israel's exceptional love.
בֶןa son ofN m sg cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate noun (nominal clause)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; in the idiomatic construct בֶּן זְקֻנִים = 'son of old age', a term of special tenderness.
זְקֻנִ֥יםold ageN m pl abs · זְקֻנִים (H2208)Genitive in construct phraseזְקֻנִים (H2208) 'old age' (pl of זָקֵן); child born in father's old age; conveys special affection and vulnerability.
ה֖וּאhe (was)pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject pronoun in nominal clauseהוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun; copular function — 'he is a son of old age to him'.
ל֑וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms sufDative / benefactive prep phraseלְ + הוּא 'to him, for him'; expresses the relational context of the old-age-son designation.
וְעָ֥שָׂהand he madeconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Coordinating verbal clause→ Perfective: completed act of favoritismעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do'; the garment fabrication is the visible material expression of Israel's preference.
ל֖וֹfor himprep לְ + 3ms sufDative / benefactive prep phraseלְ + הוּא 'for him'; indirect object marking Joseph as the beneficiary of the special garment.
כְּתֹ֥נֶתa tunic ofN f sg cstr · כֻּתֹּנֶת (H3801)Direct object (construct head)כֻּתֹּנֶת (H3801) 'tunic, long shirt'; a garment of high status; the central prop in the deception scene of vv 31-33.
פַּסִּֽיםdistinction / long piecesN m pl abs · פַּס (H6446)Genitive of כֻּתֹּנֶתפַּס (H6446) 'palm, piece'; pl פַּסִּים likely denotes a long-sleeved or ornamented high-status garment — a famous textual crux.
4

וַיִּרְא֣וּ אֶחָ֗יו כִּֽי אֹת֞וֹ אָהַ֤ב אֲבִיהֶם֙ מִכָּל אֶחָ֔יו וַֽיִּשְׂנְא֖וּ אֹת֑וֹ וְלֹ֥א יָכְל֖וּ דַּבְּר֥וֹ לְשָׁלֹֽם

And his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, and they hated him and were not able to speak peaceably to him.

ResultAnd
Perceived favoritism hardens into sustained hatred, and even ordinary speech within the household is broken.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיִּרְא֣וּand they sawQal wayyiqtol 3mp · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, perceive'; the brothers' perception of paternal favoritism triggers the next movement.
אֶחָ֗יוhis brothersN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Subject of וַיִּרְאוּאָח (H251) 'brother'; the brothers as a group become the primary acting subjects through most of ch. 37.
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementary conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'that, because'; here introducing the content of what the brothers saw.
אֹת֞וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object of אָהַב (fronted)אֵת (H853) + 3ms suf; fronted object for emphasis — it is Joseph specifically whom their father loved.
אָהַ֤בlovedQal perf 3ms · אָהַב (H157)Predicate verb (embedded clause)→ Perfective: settled ongoing dispositionאָהַב (H157) 'to love'; repeated from v. 3, now from the brothers' observing perspective.
אֲבִיהֶם֙their fatherN m sg cstr + 3mp suf · אָב (H1)Subject of אָהַבאָב (H1) 'father'; Jacob/Israel named in his paternal role as the source of the destabilizing preference.
מִכָּלmore than allprep מִן + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Comparative prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; with מִן = superlative preference — mirrors the wording of v. 3 to confirm the brothers' accurate perception.
אֶחָ֔יוhis brothersN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Genitive of כָּלאָח (H251) 'brother'; the full sibling group against whom Joseph is preferred.
וַֽיִּשְׂנְא֖וּand they hated himQal wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'to hate'; Qal, active intense aversion — a strong emotion word that escalates into murderous intent by v. 18.
אֹת֑וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וַיִּשְׂנְאוּאֵת (H853) + 3ms suf; Joseph is the object of brotherly hatred.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + neg · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating negationלֹא (H3808) 'not'; the negation that introduces the social breakdown — normal speech toward Joseph is impossible.
יָכְל֖וּthey were ableQal perf 3cp · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb of inability→ Perfective: established incapacityיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; with לֹא expresses settled incapacity — hatred has made peace talk impossible.
דַּבְּר֥וֹto speak to himPiel inf cstr + 3ms suf · דָּבַר (H1696)Infinitive complement of יָכֹלדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel inf cstr with 3ms obj suf — they cannot speak to Joseph in an ordinary way.
לְשָׁלֹֽםpeaceablyprep לְ + N m sg abs · שָׁלוֹם (H7965)Adverbial prepositional phraseשָׁלוֹם (H7965) 'peace, wholeness, welfare'; the normal greeting between brothers — its impossibility marks total relational breakdown.
5

וַיַּחֲלֹ֤ם יוֹסֵף֙ חֲל֔וֹם וַיַּגֵּ֖ד לְאֶחָ֑יו וַיּוֹסִ֥פוּ ע֖וֹד שְׂנֹ֥א אֹתֽוֹ

And Joseph dreamed a dream and told it to his brothers, and they hated him still more.

Dream reportAnd
The first dream is introduced tersely, but its mere telling intensifies what was already active hostility.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיַּחֲלֹ֤םand he dreamedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · חָלַם (H2492)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָלַם (H2492) 'to dream'; Qal wayyiqtol introduces the first prophetic dream that will intensify fraternal hatred.
יוֹסֵף֙Josephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיַּחֲלֹםיוֹסֵף (H3130); the dreamer — a role that identifies him throughout the Joseph narrative.
חֲל֔וֹםa dreamN m sg abs · חֲלוֹם (H2472)Cognate accusative / direct objectחֲלוֹם (H2472) 'dream'; cognate of the verb חָלַם; the inner acc with the verb emphasizes the reality and weight of the dream.
וַיַּגֵּ֖דand he toldHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · נָגַד (H5046)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָגַד (H5046) Hiphil 'to tell, declare'; Joseph's disclosure of the dream to his brothers is the narrative trigger.
לְאֶחָ֑יוto his brothersprep לְ + N m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Indirect object / recipient phraseאָח (H251) 'brother'; the brothers are the audience whose reaction drives the chapter forward.
וַיּוֹסִ֥פוּand they addedHiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · יָסַף (H3254)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָסַף (H3254) Hiphil 'to add, do more'; with שְׂנֹא as the complementary inf = 'they hated him still more'.
ע֖וֹדstill moreadverb · עוֹד (H5750)Intensifying adverbעוֹד (H5750) 'still, again, more'; intensifies the verb יוֹסִיפוּ — the hatred is incremental, building on itself.
שְׂנֹ֥אto hateQal inf abs · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Complementary infinitive to יוֹסִיפוּ→ Infinitive: verbal complement expressing the action repeatedשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'to hate'; Qal inf abs serving as complement to יָסַף — a common Hebrew idiom for 'continued doing X'.
אֹתֽוֹhimobj marker + 3ms suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object of infinitive שְׂנֹאאֵת (H853) + 3ms suf; Joseph remains the direct object of the intensified hatred.
6

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֑ם שִׁמְעוּ נָ֕א הַחֲל֥וֹם הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר חָלָֽמְתִּי

And he said to them, "Hear, please, this dream that I have dreamed."

AppealAnd
Joseph recounts the dream directly to the very brothers whose resentment it will inflame, showing either openness, naivete, or both.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיֹּ֖אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; standard speech-introduction wayyiqtol beginning Joseph's direct address.
אֲלֵיהֶ֑םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suf · אֶל (H413)Indirect object / addressee phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the brothers as addressees of Joseph's dream disclosure.
שִׁמְעוּhear!Qal impv 2mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Volitional imperative (appeal)→ Volitional: direct appeal for attentionשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, heed, listen'; imperative appeal drawing the brothers into the dream before they reject it.
נָ֕אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Particle of entreaty (softening imperative)נָא (H4994) particle of entreaty; softens the imperative, casting Joseph as politely requesting attention — heightening the irony.
הַחֲל֥וֹםthe dreamart + N m sg abs · חֲלוֹם (H2472)Direct object of שִׁמְעוּחֲלוֹם (H2472) 'dream'; with the article — this particular dream Joseph is about to recount.
הַזֶּ֖הthisart + dem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative modifier of הַחֲלוֹםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; demonstrative pointing to the specific dream about to be narrated.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhich / thatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducerאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun introducing the content clause: 'the dream which I have dreamed'.
חָלָֽמְתִּיI have dreamedQal perf 1cs · חָלַם (H2492)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: completed revelatory actחָלַם (H2492) 'to dream'; 1cs perf — Joseph asserts his own subjective experience as the ground of his report.
7

וְ֠הִנֵּה אֲנַ֜חְנוּ מְאַלְּמִ֤ים אֲלֻמִּים֙ בְּת֣וֹךְ הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה וְהִנֵּ֛ה קָ֥מָה אֲלֻמָּתִ֖י וְגַם נִצָּ֑בָה וְהִנֵּ֤ה תְסֻבֶּ֨ינָה֙ אֲלֻמֹּ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם וַתִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖יןָ לַאֲלֻמָּתִֽי

"For behold, we were binding sheaves in the midst of the field, and behold, my sheaf rose and also stood upright; and behold, your sheaves came around and bowed down to my sheaf."

Dream contentFor behold
The agricultural imagery presents hierarchy through embodied action: Joseph's sheaf rises, the others encircle and bow.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְ֠הִנֵּהand beholdconj וְ + presentative · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (vivid introduction)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; vivid presentative particle drawing the audience into the dream scene as if present.
אֲנַ֜חְנוּwepers pron 1cp · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Subject of participial clauseאֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 1cp independent pronoun; Joseph includes himself and his brothers in the opening scene before the hierarchy emerges.
מְאַלְּמִ֤יםbinding sheavesPiel ptc m pl abs · אָלַם (H481)Predicate participle (progressive)→ Participle: ongoing action in dream sceneאָלַם (H481) 'to bind, bind sheaves'; Piel ptc — the dream's agricultural backdrop of communal labor before Joseph's sheaf rises.
אֲלֻמִּים֙sheavesN f pl abs · אֲלֻמָּה (H485)Direct object of מְאַלְּמִיםאֲלֻמָּה (H485) 'sheaf, bundle of grain'; the symbol that will become the vehicle of Joseph's claim to preeminence.
בְּת֣וֹךְin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg cstr · תּוֹךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phraseתּוֹךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; with בְּ = 'in the midst of'; locates the action at the center of the field.
הַשָּׂדֶ֔הthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Object of locative prepשָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open country'; the agrarian setting of the symbolic dream, a common biblical locus for labor.
וְהִנֵּ֛הand beholdconj וְ + presentative · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (second vivid shift)הִנֵּה (H2009); second occurrence shifts attention to Joseph's sheaf rising — the dramatic center of the dream.
קָ֥מָהarose / stood upQal perf 3fs · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (dream sequence)→ Perfective: decisive completed action in narrativeקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, stand up'; Qal perf 3fs — Joseph's sheaf rising is the emblematic gesture of preeminence.
אֲלֻמָּתִ֖יmy sheafN f sg cstr + 1cs suf · אֲלֻמָּה (H485)Subject of קָמָהאֲלֻמָּה (H485) 'sheaf'; Joseph's sheaf is the symbol of his own person and future ascendancy.
וְגַםand alsoconj וְ + adverb · גַּם (H1571)Additive conjunction + adverbגַּם (H1571) 'also, even, too'; adds the second action — not merely rising but remaining upright.
נִצָּ֑בָהstood uprightNiphal perf 3fs · נָצַב (H5324)Second predicate (stative result)→ Perfective: achieved stance / resultant stateנָצַב (H5324) Niphal 'to stand, station oneself'; stative — the sheaf not only rose but remained standing erect.
וְהִנֵּ֤הand beholdconj וְ + presentative · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (third vivid shift)הִנֵּה (H2009); third occurrence introduces the surrounding and bowing sheaves — the dream's climactic action.
תְסֻבֶּ֨ינָה֙they encircledQal impf 3fp · סָבַב (H5437)Yiqtol in narrative sequence (dream)→ Yiqtol: imperfective action unfolding in dreamסָבַב (H5437) 'to surround, go around'; Qal impf 3fp — the brothers' sheaves circle Joseph's, enacting submission.
אֲלֻמֹּ֣תֵיכֶ֔םyour sheavesN f pl cstr + 2mp suf · אֲלֻמָּה (H485)Subject of תְסֻבֶּינָהאֲלֻמָּה (H485) 'sheaf'; the brothers' sheaves as symbols of the brothers themselves; their encircling constitutes obeisance.
וַתִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖יןָand bowed downHishtaphel wayyiqtol 3fp · שָׁחָה (H7812)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁחָה (H7812) Hishtaphel 'to bow down, prostrate'; the action the brothers will refuse but ultimately enact in Egypt.
לַאֲלֻמָּתִֽיto my sheafprep לְ + art + N f sg cstr + 1cs suf · אֲלֻמָּה (H485)Object of bowing / recipient phraseאֲלֻמָּה (H485) 'sheaf'; Joseph's sheaf as the recipient of the symbolic obeisance — the dream's declaration of his future rule.
8

וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ לוֹ֙ אֶחָ֔יו הֲמָלֹ֤ךְ תִּמְלֹךְ֙ עָלֵ֔ינוּ אִם מָשׁ֥וֹל תִּמְשֹׁ֖ל בָּ֑נוּ וַיּוֹסִ֤פוּ עוֹד֙ שְׂנֹ֣א אֹת֔וֹ עַל חֲלֹמֹתָ֖יו וְעַל דְּבָרָֽיו

And his brothers said to him, "Will you indeed reign over us? Or will you indeed rule over us?" And they hated him still more for his dreams and for his words.

InterpretationAnd
The brothers interpret the dream immediately as a claim to dominion, and both the dream itself and Joseph's narration of it deepen their hatred.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּand they saidQal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the brothers interpret aloud without hesitation, making the dream's political meaning explicit.
לוֹ֙to himprep לְ + 3ms sufIndirect object / addresseeלְ + הוּא 'to him'; marks Joseph as the addressee of the brothers' interpreting challenge.
אֶחָ֔יוhis brothersN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Subject of וַיֹּאמְרוּאָח (H251) 'brother'; the brothers speak as a group interpreting the dream as a threat to their status.
הֲמָלֹ֤ךְwill you indeed reigninterrog + Qal inf abs · מָלַךְ (H4427)Infinitive absolute (emphatic question)→ Infinitive: intensifying force of the interrogativeמָלַךְ (H4427) 'to reign, be king'; Qal inf abs + impf = emphatic question; הֲ marks rhetorical indignation.
תִּמְלֹךְ֙will you reignQal impf 2ms · מָלַךְ (H4427)Yiqtol (main verb of emphatic question)→ Yiqtol: future / modal — you would really reign over us?מָלַךְ (H4427) 'to reign'; paired with the inf abs for intensification — the brothers name Joseph's dream-claim as royal.
עָלֵ֔ינוּover usprep עַל + 1cp suf · עַל (H5921)Object complement of תִּמְלֹךְעַל (H5921) 'over, upon'; marks the brothers as the subjects of Joseph's alleged future dominion.
אִםorconj · אִם (H518)Disjunctive conjunction (alternative question)אִם (H518) 'if, or'; here disjunctive — 'or will you indeed rule over us?' — the second member of the double question.
מָשׁ֥וֹלwill you indeed ruleQal inf abs · מָשַׁל (H4910)Infinitive absolute (emphatic, second question)→ Infinitive: intensifying with the following impfמָשַׁל (H4910) 'to rule, govern'; paired with תִּמְשֹׁל for a second emphatic question — parallel to מָלֹךְ/תִּמְלֹךְ.
תִּמְשֹׁ֖לwill you ruleQal impf 2ms · מָשַׁל (H4910)Yiqtol (main verb of second question)→ Yiqtol: future / modal — you would really dominate us?מָשַׁל (H4910) 'to rule, have dominion'; distinct from מָלַךְ (royal rule) — this term stresses dominative control.
בָּ֑נוּover usprep בְּ + 1cp sufObject complement of תִּמְשֹׁלבְּ + אֲנַחְנוּ 'over us'; the brothers as direct objects of the envisioned domination.
וַיּוֹסִ֤פוּand they addedHiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · יָסַף (H3254)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָסַף (H3254) Hiphil 'to add, do yet more'; second occurrence (cf. v. 5) — hatred escalates further with each dream.
עוֹד֙still moreadverb · עוֹד (H5750)Intensifying adverbעוֹד (H5750) 'still, again, more'; parallels v. 5 — the pattern of increasing hatred is explicit.
שְׂנֹ֣אto hateQal inf abs · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Complementary infinitive to יוֹסִיפוּ→ Infinitive: verbal complement expressing repeated actionשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'to hate'; Qal inf abs complement — hatred intensified by both the dream and the words.
אֹת֔וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object of infinitive שְׂנֹאאֵת (H853) + 3ms suf; Joseph continues as the direct target of the brothers' intensifying hatred.
עַלon account ofprep · עַל (H5921)Causal prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on account of, because of'; introduces the double cause of the intensified hatred.
חֲלֹמֹתָ֖יוhis dreamsN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · חֲלוֹם (H2472)Object of causal prepחֲלוֹם (H2472) 'dream'; pl with 3ms suf — both dreams together are named as the cause of the brothers' deeper hatred.
וְעַלand on account ofconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Coordinating causal prepעַל (H5921) repeated with וְ; the second cause is Joseph's words — his narration itself compounds the offense.
דְּבָרָֽיוhis wordsN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · דָּבָר (H1697)Object of second causal prepדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; pl with 3ms suf — Joseph's speech act of narrating the dream adds to the affront.
9

וַיַּחֲלֹ֥ם עוֹד֙ חֲל֣וֹם אַחֵ֔ר וַיְסַפֵּ֥ר אֹת֖וֹ לְאֶחָ֑יו וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הִנֵּ֨ה חָלַ֤מְתִּֽי חֲלוֹם֙ ע֔וֹד וְהִנֵּ֧ה הַשֶּׁ֣מֶשׁ וְהַיָּרֵ֗חַ וְאַחַ֤ד עָשָׂר֙ כּֽוֹכָבִ֔ים מִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֖ים לִֽי

And he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, "Behold, I have dreamed another dream: and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me."

Second dreamAnd
The second dream expands the symbolic field from agriculture to cosmos, widening Joseph's imagined supremacy from brothers alone to the whole family order.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיַּחֲלֹ֥םand he dreamedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · חָלַם (H2492)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָלַם (H2492) 'to dream'; second dream introduced — cosmic scope wider than the agricultural first dream.
עוֹד֙still / againadverb · עוֹד (H5750)Temporal adverbעוֹד (H5750) 'again, still, yet'; marks the continuity — Joseph dreams a second time, escalating the pattern.
חֲל֣וֹםa dreamN m sg abs · חֲלוֹם (H2472)Cognate accusative / direct objectחֲלוֹם (H2472) 'dream'; cognate accusative with the verb — a second dream, confirmed as distinct from the first.
אַחֵ֔רanotherAdj m sg abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective modifying חֲלוֹםאַחֵר (H312) 'another, other'; marks the second dream as distinct — its cosmic imagery goes beyond the brothers to the whole family.
וַיְסַפֵּ֥רand he toldPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · סָפַר (H5608)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceסָפַר (H5608) Piel 'to recount, narrate'; a more deliberate recounting than נָגַד in v. 5 — Joseph gives a full account.
אֹת֖וֹitobj marker + 3ms suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וַיְסַפֵּראֵת (H853) + 3ms suf; the dream itself is the direct object of the narration.
לְאֶחָ֑יוto his brothersprep לְ + N m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Indirect object / recipientאָח (H251) 'brother'; the brothers receive the second dream narrative just as they received the first.
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the direct speech of the second dream — Joseph narrates it in full before the family.
הִנֵּ֨הbeholdpresentative · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particleהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; presentative drawing listeners into the vision as if directly before them.
חָלַ֤מְתִּֽיI have dreamedQal perf 1cs · חָלַם (H2492)Predicate verb (reported speech)→ Perfective: completed revelatory experienceחָלַם (H2492) 'to dream'; 1cs perf — Joseph asserts his personal experience of the divine communication.
חֲלוֹם֙a dreamN m sg abs · חֲלוֹם (H2472)Cognate accusativeחֲלוֹם (H2472) 'dream'; cognate accusative again, emphasizing the nature and reality of the experience.
ע֔וֹדagainadverb · עוֹד (H5750)Temporal adverb (resumptive)עוֹד (H5750) 'again, still'; resumptive of the narrated second dream within the direct speech.
וְהִנֵּ֧הand beholdconj וְ + presentative · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (dream content)הִנֵּה (H2009); introduces the cosmic imagery of the second dream — sun, moon, and stars.
הַשֶּׁ֣מֶשׁthe sunart + N c sg abs · שֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121)Subject of מִשְׁתַּחֲוִיםשֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121) 'sun'; understood as representing Jacob in the family's interpretation; cosmic imagery exceeds the first dream.
וְהַיָּרֵ֗חַand the moonconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · יָרֵחַ (H3394)Subject of מִשְׁתַּחֲוִים (conjoined)יָרֵחַ (H3394) 'moon'; understood as representing the mother figure; its presence raises the harmonization question about Rachel.
וְאַחַ֤דand elevenconj וְ + Adj m sg cstr · אֶחָד (H259)Numeral (construct with עָשָׂר)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; in the compound numeral 'eleven' — the eleven stars stand for Joseph's eleven brothers.
עָשָׂר֙(eleven)Adj m sg abs · עָשָׂר (H6240)Second numeral in compoundעָשָׂר (H6240) 'ten (teen)'; with אֶחָד forms eleven — precisely the number of brothers, making the symbolism transparent.
כּֽוֹכָבִ֔יםstarsN m pl abs · כּוֹכָב (H3556)Subject of מִשְׁתַּחֲוִים (conjoined)כּוֹכָב (H3556) 'star'; the eleven stars represent the eleven brothers who will eventually bow before Joseph in Egypt.
מִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֖יםbowing down to meHishtaphel ptc m pl abs · שָׁחָה (H7812)Predicate participle of nominal clause→ Participle: present action in dream visionשָׁחָה (H7812) Hishtaphel 'to bow down, prostrate'; the same verb as v. 7 — the dream's core claim of Joseph's future supremacy.
לִֽיto meprep לְ + 1cs sufRecipient / benefactive prep phraseלְ + אֲנִי 'to me'; Joseph names himself as the recipient of cosmic obeisance.
10

וַיְסַפֵּ֣ר אֶל אָבִיו֮ וְאֶל אֶחָיו֒ וַיִּגְעַר בּ֣וֹ אָבִ֔יו וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֔וֹ מָ֛ה הַחֲל֥וֹם הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָלָ֑מְתָּ הֲב֣וֹא נָב֗וֹא אֲנִי֙ וְאִמְּךָ֣ וְאַחֶ֔יךָ לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֥ת לְךָ֖ אָֽרְצָה

And he told it to his father and to his brothers, and his father rebuked him and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the earth before you?"

RebukeAnd
The dream now reaches the father, whose rebuke resists its apparent meaning even while repeating it aloud in full familial terms.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַיְסַפֵּ֣רand he recountedPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · סָפַר (H5608)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceסָפַר (H5608) Piel 'to recount, narrate'; Joseph now tells the second dream to his father and brothers together.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the father as the first recipient of this narration.
אָבִיו֮his fatherN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · אָב (H1)Object of directional prepאָב (H1) 'father'; Israel now receives the second dream — his response will be rebuke, then silent pondering.
וְאֶלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinating prep (second recipient)אֶל (H413) 'to'; the second audience added — Joseph tells the dream to both his father and brothers simultaneously.
אֶחָיו֒his brothersN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Object of second directional prepאָח (H251) 'brother'; the brothers hear the second dream alongside the father, sharpening the familial tension.
וַיִּגְעַרand he rebukedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · גָּעַר (H1605)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceגָּעַר (H1605) 'to rebuke, reprove'; the father's strong verbal rebuke — a public rejection of the dream's apparent meaning.
בּ֣וֹat himprep בְּ + 3ms sufObject of rebukeבְּ + הוּא 'at him'; the prep בְּ with גָּעַר = 'rebuke someone'.
אָבִ֔יוhis fatherN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · אָב (H1)Subject of וַיִּגְעַראָב (H1) 'father'; Jacob/Israel takes the public role of restraining the dream's claims, even while privately keeping them.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Jacob's rhetorical rebuke — but the rebuke paradoxically repeats the dream's content in full.
ל֔וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms sufIndirect object / addresseeלְ + הוּא 'to him'; Joseph is the addressee of the father's challenging question.
מָ֛הwhatinterrog pron · מָה (H4100)Predicate interrogativeמָה (H4100) 'what?'; introduces the rhetorical question that re-narrates the dream to condemn it.
הַחֲל֥וֹםthe dreamart + N m sg abs · חֲלוֹם (H2472)Subject of the interrogative clauseחֲלוֹם (H2472) 'dream'; Jacob echoes Joseph's own language back to him — pointing to the dream as the problem.
הַזֶּ֖הthisart + dem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative modifier of הַחֲלוֹםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; pointing to the specific, contentious second dream.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducerאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; the relative clause echoes the language of Joseph's own disclosure.
חָלָ֑מְתָּyou have dreamedQal perf 2ms · חָלַם (H2492)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: completed revelatory event citedחָלַם (H2492) 'to dream'; 2ms perf — Jacob addresses Joseph directly, citing the experience back as something requiring accounting.
הֲב֣וֹאshall indeed comeinterrog + Qal inf abs · בּוֹא (H935)Infinitive absolute (emphatic interrogative)→ Infinitive: intensifying the rhetorical questionבּוֹא (H935) Qal inf abs; הֲ introduces the rhetorical question; inf abs emphasizes the incredulous force.
נָב֗וֹאshall we comeQal impf 1cp · בּוֹא (H935)Yiqtol (main verb of rhetorical question)→ Yiqtol: modal — shall we really come to bow down?בּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; 1cp impf with the father including himself as a prospective subject of bowing.
אֲנִי֙Ipers pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject (emphatic, listed)אֲנִי (H589) 1cs pronoun; the father lists himself first among those who would bow — heightening the rhetorical absurdity.
וְאִמְּךָ֣and your motherconj וְ + N f sg cstr + 2ms suf · אֵם (H517)Conjoined subject (mother added)אֵם (H517) 'mother'; the inclusion of 'your mother' in the bowing group is a famous crux given Rachel's death in Gen 35.
וְאַחֶ֔יךָand your brothersconj וְ + N m pl cstr + 2ms suf · אָח (H251)Conjoined subject (brothers added)אָח (H251) 'brother'; the full family — father, mother, brothers — is listed as the ostensible subjects of bowing.
לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֥תto bow downprep לְ + Hishtaphel inf cstr · שָׁחָה (H7812)Purpose / complement infinitive→ Infinitive: purpose of coming — to perform prostrationשָׁחָה (H7812) Hishtaphel inf cstr 'to bow down'; the father names the act of submission the dream envisions.
לְךָ֖to youprep לְ + 2ms sufObject of prostrationלְ + אַתָּה 'to you'; Joseph is named as the recipient of the envisioned submission — the point of the rebuke.
אָֽרְצָהto the groundN c sg abs + directional ה · אֶרֶץ (H776)Directional adverbial accusativeאֶרֶץ (H776) + directional ה 'earthward, to the ground'; the prostration posture — full submission to the earth before Joseph.
11

וַיְקַנְאוּ ב֖וֹ אֶחָ֑יו וְאָבִ֖יו שָׁמַ֥ר אֶת הַדָּבָֽר

And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter.

ContrastAnd
The family divides in response: the brothers harden into envy, while the father preserves the saying as something not yet finished.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיְקַנְאוּand they were jealousPiel wayyiqtol 3mp · קָנָא (H7065)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָנָא (H7065) Piel 'to be jealous, envious'; stronger than שָׂנֵא — names the emotional response that drives the plot.
ב֖וֹof himprep בְּ + 3ms sufObject of jealousyבְּ + הוּא 'of him, against him'; the prep בְּ with קָנָא = to be jealous of someone.
אֶחָ֑יוhis brothersN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Subject of וַיְקַנְאוּאָח (H251) 'brother'; the brothers' jealousy contrasts with the father's reflective silence in the following clause.
וְאָבִ֖יוbut his fatherconj וְ + N m sg cstr + 3ms suf · אָב (H1)Contrastive subjectאָב (H1) 'father'; the contrast between brothers (jealousy) and father (silent keeping) is the verse's key point.
שָׁמַ֥רkept / ponderedQal perf 3ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (contrastive clause)→ Perfective: deliberate, sustained keepingשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, preserve'; the father guards the dream-word — a sign it is not dismissed but held as potentially meaningful.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks הַדָּבָר as the definite direct object of שָׁמַר.
הַדָּבָֽרthe matter / wordart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of שָׁמַרדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter, thing'; with the article — this specific matter, the dream-word, kept and pondered rather than dismissed.
12

וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ אֶחָ֑יו לִרְע֛וֹת אֶׄתׄ צֹ֥אן אֲבִיהֶ֖ם בִּשְׁכֶֽם

And his brothers went to pasture their father's flock at Shechem.

TransitionAnd
The narrative turns from dream disclosure to physical separation, relocating the brothers away from the home base.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיֵּלְכ֖וּand they wentQal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; the brothers' departure from home to Shechem creates the spatial distance enabling the plot.
אֶחָ֑יוhis brothersN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Subject of וַיֵּלְכוּאָח (H251) 'brother'; the brothers depart as a group — away from paternal oversight, toward exposure.
לִרְע֛וֹתto pastureprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · רָעָה (H7462)Purpose / complement infinitive→ Infinitive: purpose of the journeyרָעָה (H7462) 'to shepherd, pasture'; the stated purpose is legitimate pastoral work — the irony is that Joseph will be found searching for them.
אֶׄתׄ[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) with scribal dots (extraordinary pointing) in the MT — a textual notation marking this word as disputed or special.
צֹ֥אןthe flock ofN c sg cstr · צֹאן (H6629)Direct object (construct head)צֹאן (H6629) 'flock, sheep and goats'; the brothers' task is legitimate care of the family flock.
אֲבִיהֶ֖םtheir fatherN m sg cstr + 3mp suf · אָב (H1)Genitive of צֹאןאָב (H1) 'father'; Jacob's flock — its care is the task that draws the brothers away and creates the opportunity for betrayal.
בִּשְׁכֶֽםin Shechemprep בְּ + proper noun · שְׁכֶם (H7927)Locative prepositional phraseשְׁכֶם (H7927), the city in central Canaan; a location already fraught with violence in Gen 34, now the brothers' first pasturing site.
13

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל אֶל יוֹסֵ֗ף הֲל֤וֹא אַחֶ֨יךָ֙ רֹעִ֣ים בִּשְׁכֶ֔ם לְכָ֖ה וְאֶשְׁלָחֲךָ֣ אֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖וֹ הִנֵּֽנִי

And Israel said to Joseph, "Are not your brothers pasturing at Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them." And he said to him, "Here I am."

CommissionAnd
Joseph is commissioned as the responsive son, and his readiness stands in contrast to the danger already forming around his brothers.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Israel initiates the commission that sends Joseph toward the brothers.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the covenant name used here — the patriarch acts in his full identity as the one sending his beloved son.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Joseph as the addressee of the commissioning speech.
יוֹסֵ֗ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Object of directional prepיוֹסֵף (H3130); named here as the commissioned son, underscoring the poignancy of the father sending him into danger.
הֲל֤וֹאare notinterrog + neg · הֲ + לֹא (H3808)Rhetorical interrogative (expecting yes)הֲלֹא (H3808); rhetorical question expecting affirmative — the father knows the brothers are at Shechem.
אַחֶ֨יךָ֙your brothersN m pl cstr + 2ms suf · אָח (H251)Subject of implied pasturing verbאָח (H251) 'brother'; Joseph is asked about his brothers' welfare — the errand of peace that will become their betrayal.
רֹעִ֣יםpasturingQal ptc m pl abs · רָעָה (H7462)Predicate participle (progressive)→ Participle: ongoing activity — they are currently pasturingרָעָה (H7462) 'to shepherd, pasture'; ptc confirms the brothers are presently at work in Shechem.
בִּשְׁכֶ֔םin Shechemprep בְּ + proper noun · שְׁכֶם (H7927)Locative prepositional phraseשְׁכֶם (H7927); Shechem confirmed as the brothers' location — from there Joseph will be redirected to Dothan.
לְכָ֖הgoQal impv 2ms + cohortative he · הָלַךְ (H3212)Imperative (commission)הָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; imperative with paragogic he giving a soft/urgent quality — the father commissions the journey.
וְאֶשְׁלָחֲךָ֣and I will send youconj וְ + Qal impf 1cs + 2ms suf · שָׁלַח (H7971)Yiqtol of intention / resolutionשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; 1cs impf with 2ms obj suf — the father declares his intention, formalizing the commission.
אֲלֵיהֶ֑םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suf · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the brothers as the destination of Joseph's mission.
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Joseph responds — the second speech verb shifts focus to Joseph's reply.
ל֖וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms sufIndirect object / addresseeלְ + הוּא 'to him'; Israel is the addressee of Joseph's one-word answer of readiness.
הִנֵּֽנִיhere I ampresentative + 1cs suf · הִנֵּה (H2009)Predicate of readiness (nominal)הִנֵּה (H2009) + 1cs suf; הִנֵּנִי = 'here I am' — the classic answer of availability and obedience (cf. Abraham in Gen 22).
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וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ לֶךְ נָ֨א רְאֵ֜ה אֶת שְׁל֤וֹם אַחֶ֨יךָ֙ וְאֶת שְׁל֣וֹם הַצֹּ֔אן וַהֲשִׁבֵ֖נִי דָּבָ֑ר וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֨הוּ֙ מֵעֵ֣מֶק חֶבְר֔וֹן וַיָּבֹ֖א שְׁכֶֽמָה

And he said to him, "Go now, see about the welfare of your brothers and the welfare of the flock, and bring me word back." So he sent him from the valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

MissionAnd
The father sends Joseph on a mission of peace and report, but the journey from Hebron to Shechem moves him toward exposure rather than reconciliation.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the father continues with specific instructions for the mission.
ל֗וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms sufIndirect object / addresseeלְ + הוּא 'to him'; Joseph receives the father's specific charge.
לֶךְgoQal impv 2ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Imperative (commission)→ Volitional: direct command to departהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; imperative — the father issues the direct command beginning Joseph's fatal journey.
נָ֨אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Particle of entreatyנָא (H4994) particle of entreaty; softens the imperative — the father speaks with paternal warmth, not merely commanding.
רְאֵ֜הsee / check onQal impv 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Second imperative (purpose of mission)→ Volitional: command to inspect welfareרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, check on'; second imperative specifying the mission's purpose — inspection of brothers' and flock's welfare.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks שְׁלוֹם אַחֶיךָ as the definite object of the inspection.
שְׁל֤וֹםwelfare / peace ofN m sg cstr · שָׁלוֹם (H7965)Direct object (construct head)שָׁלוֹם (H7965) 'peace, welfare, wholeness'; Joseph is sent to check on the שָׁלוֹם — the very thing v. 4 said the brothers cannot extend to him.
אַחֶ֨יךָ֙your brothersN m pl cstr + 2ms suf · אָח (H251)Genitive of שְׁלוֹםאָח (H251) 'brother'; the father sends Joseph to check on brothers whose hatred he apparently does not perceive as fatal.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinating conj + direct-object markerאֵת (H853); second object marker joining the flock's welfare to the brothers'.
שְׁל֣וֹםwelfare / peace ofN m sg cstr · שָׁלוֹם (H7965)Second direct object (construct head)שָׁלוֹם (H7965); repeated — the parallel structure ensures Joseph is to inquire about both his brothers and the family flock.
הַצֹּ֔אןthe flockart + N c sg abs · צֹאן (H6629)Genitive of שְׁלוֹם (second)צֹאן (H6629) 'flock, small livestock'; the economic concern alongside the personal welfare check.
וַהֲשִׁבֵ֖נִיand bring me backconj וְ + Hiphil impv 2ms + 1cs suf · שׁוּב (H7725)Third imperative (return word)שׁוּב (H7725) Hiphil impv 'to bring back'; the father expects a report — 'bring me word back'; Joseph's task is peaceful intelligence.
דָּבָ֑רword / reportN m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of וַהֲשִׁבֵנִידָּבָר (H1697) 'word, report'; the father expects oral intelligence — Joseph's mission is to report back on welfare.
וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֨הוּ֙and he sent himQal wayyiqtol 3ms + 3ms suf · שָׁלַח (H7971)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequenceשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; the father formally dispatches Joseph from Hebron — the decisive act enabling the plot.
מֵעֵ֣מֶקfrom the valley ofprep מִן + N m sg cstr · עֵמֶק (H6010)Ablative prepositional phrase (point of departure)עֵמֶק (H6010) 'valley, lowland'; the valley of Hebron is the point of departure — the distance to Shechem and Dothan is significant.
חֶבְר֔וֹןHebronproper noun · חֶבְרוֹן (H2275)Genitive of עֵמֶקחֶבְרוֹן (H2275), the ancestral city of the patriarchs; Jacob's base, from which Joseph departs on his ill-fated errand.
וַיָּבֹ֖אand he cameQal wayyiqtol 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive'; Joseph arrives at Shechem — the first leg of the search, before the man redirects him.
שְׁכֶֽמָהto Shechemproper noun + directional ה · שְׁכֶם (H7927)Directional adverbial accusativeשְׁכֶם (H7927) + directional ה 'toward Shechem'; the directional he indicates movement toward the destination.
15

וַיִּמְצָאֵ֣הוּ אִ֔ישׁ וְהִנֵּ֥ה תֹעֶ֖ה בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה וַיִּשְׁאָלֵ֧הוּ הָאִ֛ישׁ לֵאמֹ֖ר מַה תְּבַקֵּֽשׁ

And a man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field; and the man asked him, saying, "What are you seeking?"

EncounterAnd
Joseph's search is interrupted by uncertainty, and the unidentified man functions as the hinge that keeps the mission moving toward its fatal encounter.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיִּמְצָאֵ֣הוּand he found himQal wayyiqtol 3ms + 3ms suf · מָצָא (H4672)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequenceמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; an unidentified man finds Joseph wandering — a providential hinge that keeps the story moving.
אִ֔ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וַיִּמְצָאֵהוּאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the unidentified figure who redirects Joseph to Dothan — often read as an angelic or providential encounter.
וְהִנֵּ֥הand beholdconj וְ + presentative · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (circumstantial)הִנֵּה (H2009); introduces a circumstantial observation — Joseph is wandering, not yet found his brothers.
תֹעֶ֖הwanderingQal ptc m sg abs · תָּעָה (H8582)Predicate participle (circumstantial clause)→ Participle: ongoing aimless movementתָּעָה (H8582) 'to wander, stray, go astray'; Qal ptc — Joseph is lost in the field, underscoring his vulnerability.
בַּשָּׂדֶ֑הin the fieldprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Locative prepositional phraseשָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open country'; the open field where Joseph wanders — geographically exposed and directionless.
וַיִּשְׁאָלֵ֧הוּand he asked himQal wayyiqtol 3ms + 3ms suf · שָׁאַל (H7592)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequenceשָׁאַל (H7592) 'to ask, inquire'; the man's question initiates the exchange that redirects Joseph to Dothan.
הָאִ֛ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וַיִּשְׁאָלֵהוּאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; now definite — the same man who found him; his role in the narrative is to be the hinge of redirection.
לֵאמֹ֖רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive of manner / speech introduction→ Infinitive: introducing direct speech contentאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the common speech-introduction formula לֵאמֹר introducing the man's question.
מַהwhatinterrog pron · מָה (H4100)Predicate interrogativeמָה (H4100) 'what?'; the man's simple question that draws out Joseph's stated purpose.
תְּבַקֵּֽשׁare you seekingPiel impf 2ms · בָּקַשׁ (H1245)Yiqtol (main verb of question)→ Yiqtol: ongoing activity — what are you looking for?בָּקַשׁ (H1245) Piel 'to seek, search for'; the question that elicits Joseph's frank statement of his errand.
16

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אֶת אַחַ֖י אָנֹכִ֣י מְבַקֵּ֑שׁ הַגִּֽידָה נָּ֣א לִ֔י אֵיפֹ֖ה הֵ֥ם רֹעִֽים

And he said, "I am seeking my brothers. Tell me, please, where they are pasturing."

RequestAnd
Joseph names his aim plainly: he is looking for brothers, even as the narrative is preparing those brothers as agents of betrayal.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיֹּ֕אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Joseph's reply to the man's question — artless and open, naming his purpose plainly.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (fronted)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; fronted with the object אַחַי for emphasis — 'My brothers I am seeking'.
אַחַ֖יmy brothersN m pl cstr + 1cs suf · אָח (H251)Direct object (fronted for emphasis)אָח (H251) 'brother'; the irony: Joseph seeks his brothers in brotherly goodwill; they are at that moment planning against him.
אָנֹכִ֣יIpers pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (emphatic)אָנֹכִי (H595) 1cs independent pronoun; emphatic — 'I myself am seeking my brothers', affirming his personal investment.
מְבַקֵּ֑שׁseekingPiel ptc m sg abs · בָּקַשׁ (H1245)Predicate participle→ Participle: ongoing active searchingבָּקַשׁ (H1245) Piel 'to seek, search'; Piel ptc as predicate — Joseph's searching is intense and purposive.
הַגִּֽידָהtellHiphil impv 2ms + paragogic he · נָגַד (H5046)Imperative (request for information)נָגַד (H5046) Hiphil impv 'to tell, inform'; paragogic he gives an urgency/politeness — Joseph asks for directions.
נָּ֣אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Particle of entreatyנָא (H4994) particle of entreaty; polite modifier softening the imperative into a courteous request.
לִ֔יto meprep לְ + 1cs sufIndirect object / beneficiaryלְ + אֲנִי 'to me, for me'; Joseph asks the man to direct the information to him.
אֵיפֹ֖הwhereinterrog adverb · אֵיפֹה (H375)Interrogative adverb of placeאֵיפֹה (H375) 'where?'; the core of Joseph's question — he needs directions to find his brothers.
הֵ֥םtheypers pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject of implied pasturing verbהֵם (H1992) 3mp pronoun; the brothers are the referent — Joseph asks where they currently are.
רֹעִֽיםpasturingQal ptc m pl abs · רָעָה (H7462)Predicate participle→ Participle: ongoing activity assumedרָעָה (H7462) 'to shepherd'; Qal ptc confirming Joseph understands his brothers are at work with the flock somewhere.
17

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הָאִישׁ֙ נָסְע֣וּ מִזֶּ֔ה כִּ֤י שָׁמַ֨עְתִּי֙ אֹֽמְרִ֔ים נֵלְכָ֖ה דֹּתָ֑יְנָה וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ יוֹסֵף֙ אַחַ֣ר אֶחָ֔יו וַיִּמְצָאֵ֖ם בְּדֹתָֽן

And the man said, "They have departed from here, for I heard them saying, 'Let us go to Dothan.'" And Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.

RedirectionAnd
The search continues beyond Shechem to Dothan, and that further distance removes Joseph all the more from paternal protection.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the man's response that redirects Joseph from Shechem to Dothan.
הָאִישׁ֙the manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶראִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the unnamed providential figure whose information sends Joseph to his brothers and his fate.
נָסְע֣וּthey have departedQal perf 3cp · נָסַע (H5265)Predicate verb (reported information)→ Perfective: completed departureנָסַע (H5265) 'to travel, pull up stakes, depart'; the brothers have moved on from Shechem — Joseph must follow further.
מִזֶּ֔הfrom hereprep מִן + dem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Ablative prepositional phraseזֶה (H2088) 'this'; with מִן = 'from this place, from here' — the brothers are no longer at Shechem.
כִּ֤יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the evidence for the departure — the man overheard the brothers.
שָׁמַ֨עְתִּי֙I heardQal perf 1cs · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (evidence clause)→ Perfective: completed act of hearingשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; 1cs perf — the man's personal testimony as the basis for his directional intelligence.
אֹֽמְרִ֔יםsayingQal ptc m pl abs · אָמַר (H559)Complementary participle (speech content)→ Participle: ongoing speech heard by the manאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; ptc as complement of שָׁמַע — 'I heard them saying', introducing the brothers' quoted words.
נֵלְכָ֖הlet us goQal cohort 1cp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Cohortative (group intention)→ Volitional cohortative: self-exhortation of the groupהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; cohortative — the brothers' own stated intention to move to Dothan.
דֹּתָ֑יְנָהto Dothanproper noun + directional ה · דֹּתַיִן (H1886)Directional adverbial accusativeדֹּתַיִן (H1886), a town north of Shechem; the added distance from home is narratively significant — Joseph is even further from paternal protection.
וַיֵּ֤לֶךְand he wentQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; Joseph resolves the problem by continuing his search — the obedient son follows through.
יוֹסֵף֙Josephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיֵּלֶךְיוֹסֵף (H3130); named again as subject — his continued pursuit of the brothers is his act of loyal obedience.
אַחַ֣רafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Directional prepositional phraseאַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; Joseph follows after his brothers — the very following that delivers him into their trap.
אֶחָ֔יוhis brothersN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Object of directional prepאָח (H251) 'brother'; the brothers Joseph follows — their presence ahead draws him toward betrayal.
וַיִּמְצָאֵ֖םand he found themQal wayyiqtol 3ms + 3mp suf · מָצָא (H4672)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequenceמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; Joseph successfully finds his brothers at Dothan — completing the search that leads to the pit.
בְּדֹתָֽןin Dothanprep בְּ + proper noun · דֹּתַיִן (H1886)Locative prepositional phraseדֹּתַיִן (H1886), Dothan; the remote location where the brothers' plot unfolds without any paternal witness.
18

וַיִּרְא֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ מֵרָחֹ֑ק וּבְטֶ֨רֶם֙ יִקְרַ֣ב אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וַיִּֽתְנַכְּל֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ לַהֲמִיתֽוֹ

And they saw him from afar, and before he came near to them, they conspired against him to put him to death.

PlotAnd
The sight of Joseph at a distance is enough to trigger settled conspiracy; hatred now advances into planned killing.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיִּרְא֥וּand they sawQal wayyiqtol 3mp · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; sight of Joseph at a distance is the trigger — the brothers' seeing converts hatred into action.
אֹת֖וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וַיִּרְאוּאֵת (H853) + 3ms suf; Joseph is the visual object — the brothers' sight of him from afar activates the conspiracy.
מֵרָחֹ֑קfrom afarprep מִן + Adj m sg abs · רָחוֹק (H7350)Adverbial prepositional phraseרָחוֹק (H7350) 'far, distant'; the distance is narratively significant — the brothers conspire before Joseph can even hear them.
וּבְטֶ֨רֶם֙and beforeconj וְ + prep + adverb · בְּטֶרֶם (H2962)Temporal conjunction (before clause)טֶרֶם (H2962) 'before'; the temporal marker — the conspiracy is settled before Joseph comes within speaking distance.
יִקְרַ֣בhe came nearQal impf 3ms · קָרַב (H7126)Yiqtol in temporal clause→ Yiqtol: action following the temporal thresholdקָרַב (H7126) 'to draw near, approach'; the approaching is what the conspiracy precedes — speed and distance underscore the premeditation.
אֲלֵיהֶ֔םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suf · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the brothers as the destination of Joseph's approach — what he is moving toward.
וַיִּֽתְנַכְּל֥וּthey conspiredHitpael wayyiqtol 3mp · נָכַל (H5230)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָכַל (H5230) Hitpael 'to scheme, conspire, act with cunning'; the reflexive-reciprocal stem signals deliberate collective scheming — the most direct word for plotting.
אֹת֖וֹagainst himobj marker + 3ms suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object of conspiracyאֵת (H853) + 3ms suf; Joseph is the object of the brothers' concerted plot — the conspiracy is aimed at him.
לַהֲמִיתֽוֹto kill himprep לְ + Hiphil inf cstr + 3ms suf · מוּת (H4191)Purpose infinitiveמוּת (H4191) Hiphil inf cstr 'to kill, put to death'; the purpose of the conspiracy is explicit — premeditated murder of a brother.
19

וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל אָחִ֑יו הִנֵּ֗ה בַּ֛עַל הַחֲלֹמ֥וֹת הַלָּזֶ֖ה בָּֽא

And they said each man to his brother, "Behold, this master of dreams is coming."

MockeryAnd
The brothers reduce Joseph to the identity they most resent, mocking him as the dreamer whose future claims must be crushed.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיֹּאמְר֖וּand they saidQal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the brothers speak to one another — their speech reduces Joseph to a contemptuous title.
אִ֣ישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive subjectאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; distributive אִישׁ אֶל אָחִיו = 'each man to his brother' — all the brothers share this contemptuous reaction.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the mutual direction of speech among the brothers.
אָחִ֑יוhis brotherN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Object of directional prepאָח (H251) 'brother'; the idiom אִישׁ אֶל אָחִיו = reciprocal speech among the group members.
הִנֵּ֗הbeholdpresentative · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (mocking announcement)הִנֵּה (H2009); here a mocking exclamation — pointing to Joseph's approach as the arrival of the despised dreamer.
בַּ֛עַלmaster ofN m sg cstr · בַּעַל (H1167)Construct head (contemptuous epithet)בַּעַל (H1167) 'master, owner, lord'; in cstr with 'the dreams' = 'the dream-master' — a mocking title expressing contempt for Joseph's pretensions.
הַחֲלֹמ֥וֹתthe dreamsart + N m pl abs · חֲלוֹם (H2472)Genitive of בַּעַלחֲלוֹם (H2472) 'dream'; pl with art — the brothers lump both dreams together as the source of Joseph's arrogance.
הַלָּזֶ֖הthis onedem pron m sg · הַלָּזֶה (H1976)Demonstrative modifier (contemptuous)הַלָּזֶה (H1976) 'this (one)'; slightly archaic or emphatic dem pron — the brothers point at Joseph with contempt.
בָּֽאis comingQal ptc m sg abs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate participle→ Participle: action currently in progressבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive'; Qal ptc — Joseph is visible and approaching; the brothers name him as he comes.
20

וְעַתָּ֣ה לְכ֣וּ וְנַֽהַרְגֵ֗הוּ וְנַשְׁלִכֵ֨הוּ֙ בְּאַחַ֣ד הַבֹּר֔וֹת וְאָמַ֕רְנוּ חַיָּ֥ה רָעָ֖ה אֲכָלָ֑תְהוּ וְנִרְאֶ֕ה מַה יִּהְי֖וּ חֲלֹמֹתָֽיו

"And now, come, let us kill him and cast him into one of the pits, and we will say, 'An evil beast has devoured him'; and we shall see what will become of his dreams."

ProposalAnd now
Their plot joins murder with interpretation: they mean not only to remove Joseph, but to prove his dreams false by controlling the story of his end.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְעַתָּ֣הand nowconj וְ + adverb · עַתָּה (H6258)Transitional adverb (now, therefore)עַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; transitional marker moving from mockery to action plan — 'and now [let us act]'.
לְכ֣וּcome!Qal impv 2mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Imperative (rallying call)→ Volitional: imperative rallying the group to actהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; imperative urging collective action — the brothers exhort one another to proceed with the plan.
וְנַֽהַרְגֵ֗הוּand let us kill himconj וְ + Qal cohort 1cp + 3ms suf · הָרַג (H2026)Cohortative (self-exhortation to murder)הָרַג (H2026) 'to kill, slay'; Qal cohort — the brothers propose murder openly among themselves.
וְנַשְׁלִכֵ֨הוּ֙and let us cast himconj וְ + Hiphil cohort 1cp + 3ms suf · שָׁלַךְ (H7993)Cohortative (self-exhortation, second act)שָׁלַךְ (H7993) Hiphil 'to cast, throw'; after killing, they plan to dispose of the body in a pit.
בְּאַחַ֣דinto one ofprep בְּ + Adj m sg cstr · אֶחָד (H259)Locative prepositional phrase (destination)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; the indefinite choice of pit — 'one of the pits', suggesting casual disposal.
הַבֹּר֔וֹתthe pitsart + N m pl abs · בּוֹר (H953)Genitive of אַחַדבּוֹר (H953) 'pit, cistern'; the pits in the area — empty cisterns used for the plot; a recurring word through the chapter.
וְאָמַ֕רְנוּand we will sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 1cp · אָמַר (H559)Weqatal (consequential plan)→ Weqatal: subsequent action in planned sequenceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the brothers plan both the murder and the cover story — narrative and murder bound together.
חַיָּ֥הa wild beastN f sg abs · חַיָּה (H2416)Subject of false explanationחַיָּה (H2416) 'living creature, wild animal'; the fabricated agent of Joseph's supposed death — plausible in open country.
רָעָ֖הevil / ferociousAdj f sg abs · רָע (H7451)Attributive adjective modifying חַיָּהרָע (H7451) 'evil, bad, fierce'; here attributive — a 'ferocious beast' is the planned alibi for Joseph's death.
אֲכָלָ֑תְהוּdevoured himQal perf 3fs + 3ms suf · אָכַל (H398)Predicate (scripted alibi speech)אָכַל (H398) 'to eat, devour'; the word they plan to say — 'a wild beast has devoured him'; this will be echoed verbatim by Jacob in v. 33.
וְנִרְאֶ֕הand we shall seeconj וְ + Qal impf 1cp · רָאָה (H7200)Yiqtol (future intention)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — we shall then seeרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the brothers plan not just to eliminate Joseph but to watch what happens to his dreams — interpretive control.
מַהwhatinterrog pron · מָה (H4100)Predicate interrogative (embedded question)מָה (H4100) 'what?'; embedded interrogative — 'we shall see what will become of his dreams'.
יִּהְי֖וּwill become ofQal impf 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Yiqtol (embedded future question)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — what will his dreams turn out to be?הָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the brothers intend to refute Joseph's dreams by controlling the narrative of his end.
חֲלֹמֹתָֽיוhis dreamsN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · חֲלוֹם (H2472)Subject of יִהְיוּחֲלוֹם (H2472) 'dream'; the brothers target the dreams themselves — their plot is not merely murder but the destruction of prophetic meaning.
21

וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע רְאוּבֵ֔ן וַיַּצִּלֵ֖הוּ מִיָּדָ֑ם וַיֹּ֕אמֶר לֹ֥א נַכֶּ֖נּוּ נָֽפֶשׁ

And Reuben heard it and delivered him out of their hand, and said, "Let us not strike him down in life."

InterventionAnd
Reuben becomes the first internal brake on the conspiracy, opposing immediate bloodshed without openly breaking with the brothers.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣עand he heardQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; Reuben overhears the murderous plan — the hearing launches the first intervention.
רְאוּבֵ֔ןReubenproper noun · רְאוּבֵן (H7205)Subject of וַיִּשְׁמַערְאוּבֵן (H7205), the firstborn; his hearing introduces the divided conscience of the eldest son who publicly opposes but secretly plans rescue.
וַיַּצִּלֵ֖הוּand delivered himHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms + 3ms suf · נָצַל (H5337)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequenceנָצַל (H5337) Hiphil 'to deliver, rescue'; Reuben's immediate response is to deliver Joseph from the lethal plan — though by a ruse.
מִיָּדָ֑םfrom their handprep מִן + N f sg cstr + 3mp suf · יָד (H3027)Ablative prepositional phraseיָד (H3027) 'hand'; 'from their hand' = from their power/grip — a common idiom for deliverance from someone's control.
וַיֹּ֕אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Reuben's counter-proposal is spoken openly — but his private motive is concealed until v. 22.
לֹ֥אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808) 'not'; the negative begins Reuben's prohibition against bloodshed.
נַכֶּ֖נּוּlet us strike himHiphil impf 1cp + 3ms suf · נָכָה (H5221)Yiqtol with negation (jussive force)נָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike, smite'; with לֹא = prohibition — 'let us not strike him'. Reuben proposes the pit as alternative.
נָֽפֶשׁwith a mortal blowN c sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Adverbial accusative (life / mortal blow)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, person'; נָכָה נֶפֶשׁ = 'strike (in) life' = strike mortally; Reuben prohibits lethal violence.
22

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֣ם רְאוּבֵן֮ אַל תִּשְׁפְּכוּ דָם֒ הַשְׁלִ֣יכוּ אֹת֗וֹ אֶל הַבּ֤וֹר הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר וְיָ֖ד אַל תִּשְׁלְחוּ ב֑וֹ לְמַ֗עַן הַצִּ֤יל אֹתוֹ֙ מִיָּדָ֔ם לַהֲשִׁיב֖וֹ אֶל אָבִֽיו

And Reuben said to them, "Do not shed blood. Cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him" - in order to deliver him out of their hand, to restore him to his father.

Qualified rescueAnd
Reuben's public proposal and hidden intention diverge: he accepts the pit as a temporary measure while secretly aiming at rescue and restoration.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Reuben now gives his full counter-proposal — publicly as pit-disposal, privately as rescue plan.
אֲלֵהֶ֣םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suf · אֶל (H413)Indirect object / addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to'; Reuben addresses the full group of brothers.
רְאוּבֵן֮Reubenproper noun · רְאוּבֵן (H7205)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶררְאוּבֵן (H7205); named again, identifying the firstborn as the speaker whose divided motives will be revealed at verse end.
אַלdo notneg particle · אַל (H3808)Volitional negation (prohibitive)אַל (H408) 'not' (volitional); used with impf/jussive to prohibit — Reuben's public prohibition of bloodshed.
תִּשְׁפְּכוּshedQal impf 2mp · שָׁפַךְ (H8210)Yiqtol with prohibitive אַל→ Yiqtol: modal / jussive — prohibition against sheddingשָׁפַךְ (H8210) 'to pour out, shed'; שָׁפַךְ דָּם = to shed blood — the idiom Reuben cites to prohibit murder.
דָם֒bloodN m sg abs · דָּם (H1818)Direct object of תִּשְׁפְּכוּדָּם (H1818) 'blood'; the shedding of which is the first and most serious prohibition Reuben invokes.
הַשְׁלִ֣יכוּcast!Hiphil impv 2mp · שָׁלַךְ (H7993)Imperative (Reuben's counter-proposal)→ Volitional: imperative redirecting from murder to pitשָׁלַךְ (H7993) Hiphil 'to throw, cast'; Reuben substitutes pit-casting for murder — the surface solution masking his rescue intent.
אֹת֗וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object of הַשְׁלִיכוּאֵת (H853) + 3ms suf; Joseph is the object of the proposed pit-casting.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, into'; marks the pit as the destination.
הַבּ֤וֹרthe pitart + N m sg abs · בּוֹר (H953)Object of directional prepבּוֹר (H953) 'pit, cistern'; with the article — this particular pit in the wilderness; bor appears seven times in the chapter as the key spatial image.
הַזֶּה֙thisart + dem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative modifier of הַבּוֹרזֶה (H2088) 'this'; pointing to a specific visible pit in the wilderness, Reuben's proposed alternative to outright murder.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducerאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; the relative clause identifies the specific pit as one located in the wilderness.
בַּמִּדְבָּ֔רin the wildernessprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative predicate of relative clauseמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, desert, uninhabited region'; a place where no witnesses will see the act — emphasizing the isolation.
וְיָ֖דand a handconj וְ + N f sg abs · יָד (H3027)Subject of second prohibition (nominal clause)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; synecdoche for violence — 'let not a hand be upon him' means 'do not lay hands on him violently'.
אַלnotneg particle · אַל (H408)Volitional negationאַל (H408) 'not' (volitional); second prohibitive — 'let not your hand be upon him'.
תִּשְׁלְחוּlay / sendQal impf 2mp · שָׁלַח (H7971)Yiqtol with prohibitive אַל→ Yiqtol: modal / jussive — prohibitionשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to stretch out, send'; שָׁלַח יָד בְּ = 'to stretch out a hand against someone' — a common idiom for assault.
ב֑וֹagainst himprep בְּ + 3ms sufObject of the forbidden actionבְּ + הוּא 'against him'; the prep בְּ with שָׁלַח יָד = to assault, harm physically.
לְמַ֗עַןin order toprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose conjunctionלְמַעַן (H4616) 'in order to, for the sake of'; introduces the narrator's disclosure of Reuben's hidden motive.
הַצִּ֤ילto deliverHiphil inf cstr · נָצַל (H5337)Purpose infinitive (narrator disclosure)→ Infinitive: purpose of Reuben's counter-proposalנָצַל (H5337) Hiphil inf cstr 'to deliver, rescue'; narrator reveals what Reuben intended — pit as temporary holding for rescue.
אֹתוֹ֙himobj marker + 3ms suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object of הַצִּילאֵת (H853) + 3ms suf; Joseph is the object of Reuben's concealed rescue intention.
מִיָּדָ֔םfrom their handprep מִן + N f sg cstr + 3mp suf · יָד (H3027)Ablative prepositional phraseיָד (H3027) 'hand'; from the brothers' grip/power — Reuben's intent is to remove Joseph from their murderous control.
לַהֲשִׁיב֖וֹto restore himprep לְ + Hiphil inf cstr + 3ms suf · שׁוּב (H7725)Purpose infinitive (ultimate goal)שׁוּב (H7725) Hiphil inf cstr 'to return, restore'; Reuben's deeper intention — to restore Joseph to the father.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'; the direction of restoration — back to the father.
אָבִֽיוhis fatherN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · אָב (H1)Object of directional prep (ultimate goal)אָב (H1) 'father'; Reuben's unstated end goal is Jacob — to return Joseph safely to his father.
23

וַֽיְהִ֕י כַּֽאֲשֶׁר בָּ֥א יוֹסֵ֖ף אֶל אֶחָ֑יו וַיַּפְשִׁ֤יטוּ אֶת יוֹסֵף֙ אֶת כֻּתָּנְתּ֔וֹ אֶת כְּתֹ֥נֶת הַפַּסִּ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָלָֽיו

And it came to pass, when Joseph came to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of distinction that was upon him.

AssaultAnd it came to pass
The first act of physical hostility is symbolic as well as violent: the visible token of favoritism is torn away before Joseph himself is cast down.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַֽיְהִ֕יand it came to passQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of temporal introduction→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; וַיְהִי + כַּאֲשֶׁר = standard temporal introduction for an ensuing event.
כַּֽאֲשֶׁרwhen / asprep כְּ + rel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Temporal conjunctionכַּאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'when, as'; temporal conjunction introducing the moment of Joseph's arrival as the trigger for the stripping.
בָּ֥אcameQal perf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (temporal clause)→ Perfective: completed arrivalבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive'; Joseph's arrival at the brothers is the trigger for the stripping of the tunic.
יוֹסֵ֖ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of temporal clauseיוֹסֵף (H3130); named as the arriving subject — the moment of his arrival coincides with the brothers' first physical act of hostility.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the brothers as the destination of Joseph's arrival.
אֶחָ֑יוhis brothersN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Object of directional prepאָח (H251) 'brother'; Joseph comes to his brothers in brotherly purpose — immediately they strip him.
וַיַּפְשִׁ֤יטוּand they strippedHiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · פָּשַׁט (H6584)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפָּשַׁט (H6584) Hiphil 'to strip off'; the brothers' first physical act — stripping the symbolic garment before casting Joseph into the pit.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks Joseph as the definite object of the stripping action.
יוֹסֵף֙Josephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Direct object of וַיַּפְשִׁיטוּיוֹסֵף (H3130); Joseph named as the passive victim of the stripping — the garment embodies his identity and status.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (second)אֵת (H853); marks the tunic as the second definite direct object — the garment is named precisely.
כֻּתָּנְתּ֔וֹhis tunicN f sg cstr + 3ms suf · כֻּתֹּנֶת (H3801)Direct object of strippingכֻּתֹּנֶת (H3801) 'tunic'; Joseph's tunic — the garment of favor given by the father in v. 3, now stripped away as the brothers' first hostile act.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (appositive)אֵת (H853); third occurrence introducing the appositive restatement of the tunic — the famous כְּתֹנֶת הַפַּסִּים.
כְּתֹ֥נֶתthe tunic ofN f sg cstr · כֻּתֹּנֶת (H3801)Appositive (restating the garment)כֻּתֹּנֶת (H3801) 'tunic'; repeated in apposition to specify which tunic — the special status garment gifted in v. 3.
הַפַּסִּ֖יםof distinctionart + N m pl abs · פַּס (H6446)Genitive of כֻּתֹּנֶתפַּס (H6446) 'palm, piece'; the ornamented or long-sleeved garment of status — named again so its removal carries full narrative weight.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducerאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; the relative clause specifies the tunic was upon Joseph — on his person.
עָלָֽיוwas upon himprep עַל + 3ms suf · עַל (H5921)Predicate of relative clauseעַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; the garment was on Joseph's body — making its removal a direct bodily violation.
24

וַיִּ֨קָּחֻ֔הוּ וַיַּשְׁלִ֥כוּ אֹת֖וֹ הַבֹּ֑רָה וְהַבּ֣וֹר רֵ֔ק אֵ֥ין בּ֖וֹ מָֽיִם

And they took him and cast him into the pit; and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.

ConfinementAnd
The empty, waterless pit makes Joseph's abandonment vivid while preserving the possibility that he may yet survive.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיִּ֨קָּחֻ֔הוּand they took himQal wayyiqtol 3mp + 3ms suf · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequenceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; after stripping the tunic they seize Joseph himself — two acts of degradation in sequence.
וַיַּשְׁלִ֥כוּand cast himHiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁלַךְ (H7993)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁלַךְ (H7993) Hiphil 'to cast, throw'; the decisive physical act — throwing Joseph into the pit enacts the plan of Reuben's counter-proposal.
אֹת֖וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וַיַּשְׁלִכוּאֵת (H853) + 3ms suf; Joseph as the object of being cast — his person literally thrown into the pit.
הַבֹּ֑רָהinto the pitart + N m sg abs + directional ה · בּוֹר (H953)Directional accusative (destination)בּוֹר (H953) + directional ה 'pitward, into the pit'; the specific pit Reuben designated — now Joseph's prison.
וְהַבּ֣וֹרnow the pitconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · בּוֹר (H953)Contrastive clause subject (circumstantial)בּוֹר (H953) 'pit, cistern'; the narrative pauses to describe the pit's condition — empty, no water — heightening the image of desolation.
רֵ֔קemptyAdj m sg abs · רֵיק (H7386)Predicate adjective (nominal clause)רֵיק (H7386) 'empty, void'; the pit is empty — no water could drown Joseph; his survival is already prepared by this detail.
אֵ֥יןthere is noneg particle of non-existence · אַיִן (H369)Existential negationאַיִן (H369) 'there is not, there is no'; the existential negative — used in the explanatory clause 'no water in it'.
בּ֖וֹin itprep בְּ + 3ms sufLocative prepositional phraseבְּ + הוּא 'in it'; the location — in the pit there was no water.
מָֽיִםwaterN m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Subject of existential negationמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; the absence of water ensures Joseph's life — the pit is a place of abandonment but not immediate death.
25

וַיֵּשְׁבוּ֮ לֶֽאֱכָל לֶחֶם֒ וַיִּשְׂא֤וּ עֵֽינֵיהֶם֙ וַיִּרְא֔וּ וְהִנֵּה֙ אֹרְחַ֣ת יִשְׁמְעֵאלִ֔ים בָּאָ֖ה מִגִּלְעָ֑ד וּגְמַלֵּיהֶ֣ם נֹֽשְׂאִ֗ים נְכֹאת֙ וּצְרִ֣י וָלֹ֔ט הוֹלְכִ֖ים לְהוֹרִ֥יד מִצְרָֽיְמָה

And they sat down to eat bread, and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, and their camels were bearing gum, balm, and ladanum, going to carry them down to Egypt.

TransitionAnd
The brothers' meal beside the pit exposes the moral chill of the scene, while the approaching caravan opens the path from threatened murder to profitable sale.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיֵּשְׁבוּ֮and they sat downQal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָשַׁב (H3427)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; the brothers' sitting to eat while Joseph is in the pit conveys moral callousness.
לֶֽאֱכָלto eatprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · אָכַל (H398)Purpose infinitive→ Infinitive: purpose of sitting downאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the brothers sit to eat — indifferent to the brother they have just thrown into a pit.
לֶחֶם֒bread / foodN c sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Direct object of לֶאֱכֹללֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; the communal meal over which the brothers calmly proceed — their shared meal contrasts with Joseph's isolation below.
וַיִּשְׂא֤וּand they lifted upQal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָשָׂא (H5375)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, raise'; to lift the eyes = to look up; the idiom introduces their visual encounter with the approaching caravan.
עֵֽינֵיהֶם֙their eyesN f du cstr + 3mp suf · עַיִן (H5869)Direct object of וַיִּשְׂאוּעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; וַיִּשְׂאוּ עֵינֵיהֶם = 'they lifted their eyes' — the idiom for intentional visual attention.
וַיִּרְא֔וּand they sawQal wayyiqtol 3mp · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the brothers see the caravan — their seeing triggers Judah's pragmatic counter-proposal in vv. 26-27.
וְהִנֵּה֙and beholdconj וְ + presentative · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (vivid introduction)הִנֵּה (H2009); shifts the narrative to the brothers' sudden visual encounter — behold, a caravan!
אֹרְחַ֣תa caravan ofN f sg cstr · אֹרְחָה (H736)Subject of בָּאָה (construct head)אֹרְחָה (H736) 'caravan, travelling company'; a trading group moving through the region — the providential commercial opening.
יִשְׁמְעֵאלִ֔יםIshmaelitesgentilic noun m pl abs · יִשְׁמְעֵאלִי (H3459)Genitive of אֹרְחַתיִשְׁמְעֵאלִי (H3459) 'Ishmaelite'; the trading group — possibly a general term for caravan traders; the group-label shifts in vv. 28 and 36.
בָּאָ֖הcomingQal ptc f sg abs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate participle→ Participle: action currently in progressבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive'; Qal ptc f (agreeing with אֹרְחַת) — the caravan is actively coming as they watch.
מִגִּלְעָ֑דfrom Gileadprep מִן + proper noun · גִּלְעָד (H1568)Ablative prepositional phrase (origin)גִּלְעָד (H1568), the Transjordanian highland region east of the Jordan; a known source of spices and balm.
וּגְמַלֵּיהֶ֣םand their camelsconj וְ + N m pl cstr + 3mp suf · גָּמָל (H1581)Conjoined subject (second clause)גָּמָל (H1581) 'camel'; the pack animals confirm a long-distance trade caravan — the instruments of carrying goods and ultimately Joseph.
נֹֽשְׂאִ֗יםcarryingQal ptc m pl abs · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate participle (describing camels)→ Participle: ongoing transport activityנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to carry, bear'; Qal ptc — the camels are bearing spices and balm toward Egypt.
נְכֹאת֙gum / spicesN f sg abs · נְכֹאת (H5219)Direct object (first commodity)נְכֹאת (H5219) 'gum, aromatic resin'; an aromatic spice carried by the caravan — luxury trade goods heading to Egypt.
וּצְרִ֣יand balmconj וְ + N m sg abs · צֳרִי (H6875)Direct object (second commodity)צֳרִי (H6875) 'balm, balsam resin'; medicinal and aromatic — associated with healing in Gen 43 and Jer 8:22.
וָלֹ֔טand ladanumconj וְ + N m sg abs · לֹט (H3910)Direct object (third commodity)לֹט (H3910) 'ladanum, myrrh-like resin'; a fragrant gum resin — the three commodities together mark a luxury spice caravan.
הוֹלְכִ֖יםgoingQal ptc m pl abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate participle (describing camels/traders)→ Participle: ongoing movementהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go, walk'; ptc — the caravan is en route, heading to carry goods down to Egypt.
לְהוֹרִ֥ידto carry downprep לְ + Hiphil inf cstr · יָרַד (H3381)Purpose infinitive→ Infinitive: purpose of the journey — to descend to Egyptיָרַד (H3381) Hiphil inf cstr 'to bring down, carry down'; their commercial descent to Egypt mirrors Joseph's impending descent as a commodity.
מִצְרָֽיְמָהto Egyptproper noun + directional ה · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Directional adverbial accusativeמִצְרַיִם (H4714) + directional ה 'toward Egypt'; Egypt first named as destination in the chapter — where Joseph will arrive as a slave.
26

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוּדָ֖ה אֶל אֶחָ֑יו מַה בֶּ֗צַע כִּ֤י נַהֲרֹג֙ אֶת אָחִ֔ינוּ וְכִסִּ֖ינוּ אֶת דָּמֽוֹ

And Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is there if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?"

Judah proposalAnd
Judah reframes the crisis pragmatically rather than morally: the issue becomes profit and concealment, not innocence.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Judah now speaks — his pragmatic redirection from murder to sale.
יְהוּדָ֖הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוּדָה (H3063); Judah takes the initiative — morally compromised but practically effective, averting murder while enabling betrayal.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the brothers as Judah's audience.
אֶחָ֑יוhis brothersN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Object of directional prepאָח (H251) 'brother'; Judah addresses the brothers collectively — his proposal will gain their compliance.
מַהwhatinterrog pron · מָה (H4100)Predicate interrogativeמָה (H4100) 'what?'; Judah's rhetorical question frames the issue as profit-vs.-loss rather than innocence-vs.-guilt.
בֶּ֗צַעprofit / gainN m sg abs · בֶּצַע (H1215)Predicate noun of interrogativeבֶּצַע (H1215) 'profit, unjust gain'; Judah reduces the moral question to economics — 'what profit is there in killing him?'
כִּ֤יif / thatconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional / causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'that, if'; here conditional-hypothetical — 'if we kill our brother, what gain is there?'
נַהֲרֹג֙we killQal impf 1cp · הָרַג (H2026)Yiqtol (conditional clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/conditional — if we were to killהָרַג (H2026) 'to kill, slay'; Judah names murder openly but only to dismiss it as unprofitable — not to condemn it morally.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks 'our brother' as the definite direct object of the killing.
אָחִ֔ינוּour brotherN m sg cstr + 1cp suf · אָח (H251)Direct object of נַהֲרֹגאָח (H251) 'brother'; Judah uses kinship language to argue against murder — while remaining willing to sell the same brother.
וְכִסִּ֖ינוּand concealedconj וְ + Piel weqatal 1cp · כָּסָה (H3680)Weqatal (consequential action)→ Weqatal: subsequent action in hypotheticalכָּסָה (H3680) Piel 'to cover, conceal'; Judah's second objection — covering up the blood is a liability, not just a moral problem.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks the blood as the definite object of concealment.
דָּמֽוֹhis bloodN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · דָּם (H1818)Direct object of וְכִסִּינוּדָּם (H1818) 'blood'; blood guilt is the legal/moral consequence Judah is implicitly citing as the downside of murder.
27

לְכ֞וּ וְנִמְכְּרֶ֣נּוּ לַיִּשְׁמְעֵאלִ֗ים וְיָדֵ֨נוּ֙ אַל תְּהִי ב֔וֹ כִּֽי אָחִ֥ינוּ בְשָׂרֵ֖נוּ ה֑וּא וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֖וּ אֶחָֽיו

"Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh." And his brothers listened.

Sale proposalCome
Judah appeals to kinship while commodifying the brother named as flesh of their flesh, turning murder into a more economically useful betrayal.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
לְכ֞וּcome!Qal impv 2mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Imperative (rallying call)→ Volitional: imperative rallying to positive actionהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; imperative — Judah rallies the brothers to his alternative proposal.
וְנִמְכְּרֶ֣נּוּand let us sell himconj וְ + Qal cohort 1cp + 3ms suf · מָכַר (H4376)Cohortative (self-exhortation to sell)מָכַר (H4376) 'to sell'; Qal cohort — the brothers exhort one another to sell Joseph as a slave rather than kill him.
לַיִּשְׁמְעֵאלִ֗יםto the Ishmaelitesprep לְ + art + gentilic noun m pl · יִשְׁמְעֵאלִי (H3459)Indirect object / recipientיִשְׁמְעֵאלִי (H3459) 'Ishmaelite'; the proposed buyers — traders who will carry Joseph to Egypt.
וְיָדֵ֨נוּ֙and our handconj וְ + N f sg cstr + 1cp suf · יָד (H3027)Subject of negative clauseיָד (H3027) 'hand'; 'our hand' = our direct agency in violence; Judah's appeal is to clean hands, not clean conscience.
אַלlet notneg particle · אַל (H408)Volitional negationאַל (H408) 'not' (volitional); prohibitive — 'let our hand not be upon him'.
תְּהִיbeQal jussive 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Jussive (negative wish)→ Jussive: negative volitional — let it not be soהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; Qal jussive 3fs — the negative jussive expresses Judah's desire to avoid direct complicity in bloodshed.
ב֔וֹupon himprep בְּ + 3ms sufPrepositional phrase (object of hand)בְּ + הוּא 'upon him, against him'; the prep בְּ with יָד = 'hand against him' — direct physical violence.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the kinship rationale — 'for he is our brother, our flesh'.
אָחִ֥ינוּour brotherN m sg cstr + 1cp suf · אָח (H251)Predicate noun (causal nominal clause)אָח (H251) 'brother'; Judah invokes brotherhood to argue against murder — but will use the same kinship to justify the sale as mercy.
בְשָׂרֵ֖נוּour fleshN m sg cstr + 1cp suf · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Second predicate noun (appositional)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, body'; 'our flesh' = our own body/kin; the kinship claim is biological but does not prevent commodification.
ה֑וּאhe (is)pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular pronoun (nominal clause)הוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun; copular — 'he is our brother, our flesh', confirming the kinship claim.
וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֖וּand they heededQal wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey, heed'; the brothers hear and comply — no debate recorded, signaling quick collective acquiescence.
אֶחָֽיוhis brothersN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Subject of וַיִּשְׁמְעוּאָח (H251) 'brother'; the brothers as a collective accept Judah's proposal — murder redirected to profitable sale.
28

וַיַּֽעַבְרוּ֩ אֲנָשִׁ֨ים מִדְיָנִ֜ים סֹֽחֲרִ֗ים וַֽיִּמְשְׁכוּ֙ וַיַּֽעֲל֤וּ אֶת יוֹסֵף֙ מִן הַבּ֔וֹר וַיִּמְכְּר֧וּ אֶת יוֹסֵ֛ף לַיִּשְׁמְעֵאלִ֖ים בְּעֶשְׂרִ֣ים כָּ֑סֶף וַיָּבִ֥יאוּ אֶת יוֹסֵ֖ף מִצְרָֽיְמָה

And Midianite men, traders, passed by; and they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and they sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they brought Joseph to Egypt.

Sale and descentAnd
Joseph passes from pit to price to foreign transit in a single compressed movement, and Egypt finally appears as the destination toward which the whole betrayal has been driving.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיַּֽעַבְרוּ֩and they passed byQal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָבַר (H5674)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָבַר (H5674) 'to pass by, cross over'; the Midianite traders pass — their passing creates the commercial opportunity.
אֲנָשִׁ֨יםmenN m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וַיַּעַבְרוּאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; here pl אֲנָשִׁים — the Midianite traders who pass and conduct the transaction.
מִדְיָנִ֜יםMidianitesgentilic noun m pl abs · מִדְיָנִי (H4084)Appositive to אֲנָשִׁיםמִדְיָנִי (H4084) 'Midianite'; the group label here shifts from Ishmaelite (vv. 25, 27) to Midianite — one of the noted variant labels in this passage.
סֹֽחֲרִ֗יםtradersQal ptc m pl abs · סָחַר (H5503)Predicate participle (appositive)→ Participle: professional ongoing activityסָחַר (H5503) 'to trade, travel as merchant'; Qal ptc — identifies the function of the group: professional traders.
וַֽיִּמְשְׁכוּ֙and they drew upQal wayyiqtol 3mp · מָשַׁךְ (H4900)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָשַׁךְ (H4900) 'to pull, draw'; the action of pulling Joseph up from the pit — the commercial transaction begins here.
וַיַּֽעֲל֤וּand they lifted outHiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · עָלָה (H5927)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'to bring up, lift out'; Joseph is brought up from the pit — the spatial movement up from the pit toward Egypt.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks Joseph as the definite object of the pulling-up.
יוֹסֵף֙Josephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Direct object of וַיַּעֲלוּיוֹסֵף (H3130); named as the object of the commercial transaction — commodity now, having been son before.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Ablative prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from'; marks the pit as the source from which Joseph is extracted.
הַבּ֔וֹרthe pitart + N m sg abs · בּוֹר (H953)Object of ablative prepבּוֹר (H953) 'pit'; the pit from which Joseph emerges only to become a slave — spatial movement up from the pit into a new captivity.
וַיִּמְכְּר֧וּand they soldQal wayyiqtol 3mp · מָכַר (H4376)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָכַר (H4376) 'to sell'; the sale — the pivotal act that transforms Joseph from a brother and victim into a commodity.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks Joseph as the definite object of the sale.
יוֹסֵ֛ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Direct object of וַיִּמְכְּרוּיוֹסֵף (H3130); Joseph sold — his person becomes a commercial transaction; the brothers' promised mercy is purchased betrayal.
לַיִּשְׁמְעֵאלִ֖יםto the Ishmaelitesprep לְ + art + gentilic noun m pl · יִשְׁמְעֵאלִי (H3459)Indirect object / recipient of saleיִשְׁמְעֵאלִי (H3459) 'Ishmaelite'; the buyer group — Ishmaelite here, Midianite in v. 28a; the text preserves variant labels without harmonizing them.
בְּעֶשְׂרִ֣יםfor twentyprep בְּ + Adj c pl abs · עֶשְׂרִים (H6242)Instrumental prepositional phrase (price)עֶשְׂרִים (H6242) 'twenty'; the price — twenty pieces of silver; later echoed by thirty in the Judas parallel (MT: twenty).
כָּ֑סֶף(pieces of) silverN m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Genitive of priceכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; the currency — twenty silver shekels, a concrete price, not a generalized formula.
וַיָּבִ֥יאוּand they broughtHiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring'; the traders bring Joseph to Egypt — the prophetic destination first hinted in v. 25.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks Joseph as the definite object being brought to Egypt.
יוֹסֵ֖ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Direct object of וַיָּבִיאוּיוֹסֵף (H3130); Joseph in Egypt — the chapter's geographical destination reached as the closing movement of the sale narrative.
מִצְרָֽיְמָהto Egyptproper noun + directional ה · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Directional adverbial accusativeמִצְרַיִם (H4714) + directional ה 'toward Egypt'; Egypt confirmed as the destination — the providential staging ground for the wider story.
29

וַיָּ֤שָׁב רְאוּבֵן֙ אֶל הַבּ֔וֹר וְהִנֵּ֥ה אֵין יוֹסֵ֖ף בַּבּ֑וֹר וַיִּקְרַ֖ע אֶת בְּגָדָֽיו

And Reuben returned to the pit, and behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he tore his garments.

DiscoveryAnd
Reuben's return reveals that delay has become loss, and his torn garments register the collapse of his unspoken rescue plan.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיָּ֤שָׁבand he returnedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return'; Reuben returns to the pit — his delayed return enacts the collapse of his rescue plan.
רְאוּבֵן֙Reubenproper noun · רְאוּבֵן (H7205)Subject of וַיָּשָׁברְאוּבֵן (H7205); the firstborn returns too late — his good intention is defeated by absence at the crucial moment.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the pit as Reuben's return destination.
הַבּ֔וֹרthe pitart + N m sg abs · בּוֹר (H953)Object of directional prepבּוֹר (H953) 'pit'; the pit Reuben returns to — now empty, revealing the irreversibility of what has happened.
וְהִנֵּ֥הand beholdconj וְ + presentative · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (shock discovery)הִנֵּה (H2009); the presentative here marks Reuben's sudden shocked discovery — Joseph is gone.
אֵיןis notneg of non-existence · אַיִן (H369)Existential negationאַיִן (H369) 'there is no, nothing'; the existential negative announces the absence — Joseph is not in the pit.
יוֹסֵ֖ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of existential negationיוֹסֵף (H3130); named as the absent one — 'Joseph is not (there)'; the terse statement renders the shock.
בַּבּ֑וֹרin the pitprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · בּוֹר (H953)Locative prepositional phraseבּוֹר (H953) 'pit'; the pit as the expected location — now empty, the absence confirmed.
וַיִּקְרַ֖עand he toreQal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרַע (H7167)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרַע (H7167) 'to tear'; the tearing of garments is the classic expression of grief or horror in the Hebrew Bible.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks 'his garments' as the definite direct object of the tearing.
בְּגָדָֽיוhis garmentsN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · בֶּגֶד (H899)Direct object of וַיִּקְרַעבֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment, garments'; the plural with 3ms suf — Reuben tears his own garments in anguish over the irreversible loss.
30

וַיָּ֥שָׁב אֶל אֶחָ֖יו וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הַיֶּ֣לֶד אֵינֶ֔נּוּ וַאֲנִ֖י אָ֥נָה אֲנִי בָֽא

And he returned to his brothers and said, "The boy is not there, and I, where shall I go?"

LamentAnd
Reuben voices the first explicit recognition that the deed has created a crisis with no simple path back.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיָּ֥שָׁבand he returnedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return'; Reuben returns to his brothers after the discovery — now he must confront the reality.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the brothers as the destination of Reuben's return.
אֶחָ֖יוhis brothersN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Object of directional prepאָח (H251) 'brother'; Reuben returns to the brothers who carried out the sale he failed to prevent.
וַיֹּאמַ֑רand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Reuben's exclamation of grief and crisis — the first verbal recognition of irreversibility.
הַיֶּ֣לֶדthe boyart + N m sg abs · יֶלֶד (H3206)Subject of existential negationיֶלֶד (H3206) 'boy, child'; Reuben names Joseph as 'the boy' — tender and urgent, more emotional than using his name.
אֵינֶ֔נּוּis not / is goneneg + 3ms suf · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of existential negationאַיִן (H369) + 3ms suf; אֵינֶנּוּ = 'he is not, he is absent'; the terseness of the exclamation captures the shock.
וַאֲנִ֖יand Iconj וְ + pers pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Contrastive clause subjectאֲנִי (H589) 1cs pronoun; Reuben shifts to himself — 'the boy is gone, and what about me?'
אָ֥נָהwhereinterrog adverb · אָנָה (H575)Interrogative adverb of directionאָנָה (H575) 'where? whither?'; directional interrogative — 'where shall I go?' expresses existential helplessness.
אֲנִיIpers pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject (emphatic, repeated)אֲנִי (H589) 1cs pronoun; repeated for emphasis — Reuben names himself twice in this lament, heightening the personal anguish.
בָֽאshall go / comeQal ptc m sg abs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate participle (rhetorical question)→ Participle: imperfective — where can I possibly go?בּוֹא (H935) 'to go, come'; ptc as predicate in rhetorical question — 'where am I to go (now)?' — a cry of responsibility without recourse.
31

וַיִּקְח֖וּ אֶת כְּתֹ֣נֶת יוֹסֵ֑ף וַֽיִּשְׁחֲטוּ֙ שְׂעִ֣יר עִזִּ֔ים וַיִּטְבְּל֥וּ אֶת הַכֻּתֹּ֖נֶת בַּדָּֽם

And they took Joseph's tunic, and slaughtered a male goat of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood.

Deception setupAnd
The brothers now manufacture the evidence by which their lie will live, converting the special garment into an instrument of deception.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיִּקְח֖וּand they tookQal wayyiqtol 3mp · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the brothers take the tunic — now the prop for fabricating false evidence.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks the tunic as the definite direct object.
כְּתֹ֣נֶתthe tunic ofN f sg cstr · כֻּתֹּנֶת (H3801)Direct object (construct head)כֻּתֹּנֶת (H3801) 'tunic'; the garment stripped from Joseph in v. 23, now taken up again to become the instrument of the deception.
יוֹסֵ֑ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitive of כֻּתֹּנֶתיוֹסֵף (H3130); named as the garment's owner — the deception uses the garment's identity to manufacture Joseph's death.
וַֽיִּשְׁחֲטוּ֙and they slaughteredQal wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁחַט (H7819)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁחַט (H7819) 'to slaughter, slay'; a goat is slaughtered — a real animal killed to produce the blood for a false narrative.
שְׂעִ֣ירa male goat ofN m sg cstr · שָׂעִיר (H8163)Direct object (construct head)שָׂעִיר (H8163) 'male goat, he-goat'; the animal whose blood will stain the tunic — in later tradition the he-goat is associated with sin offerings.
עִזִּ֔יםgoatsN f pl abs · עֵז (H5795)Genitive of שְׂעִירעֵז (H5795) 'goat'; pl specifying the goat herd — a male goat from the goats.
וַיִּטְבְּל֥וּand they dippedQal wayyiqtol 3mp · טָבַל (H2881)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceטָבַל (H2881) 'to dip, immerse'; the tunic is dipped in blood — the act that will deceive Jacob and confirm the false narrative.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks the tunic as the object of dipping.
הַכֻּתֹּ֖נֶתthe tunicart + N f sg abs · כֻּתֹּנֶת (H3801)Direct object of וַיִּטְבְּלוּכֻּתֹּנֶת (H3801) 'tunic'; with the article — this specific, familiar garment now soaked in goat's blood to fabricate Joseph's violent death.
בַּדָּֽםin the bloodprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · דָּם (H1818)Instrumental prepositional phraseדָּם (H1818) 'blood'; the instrument of deception — goat's blood on the tunic will be read by the father as Joseph's blood.
32

וַֽיְשַׁלְּח֞וּ אֶת כְּתֹ֣נֶת הַפַּסִּ֗ים וַיָּבִ֨יאוּ֙ אֶל אֲבִיהֶ֔ם וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ זֹ֣את מָצָ֑אנוּ הַכֶּר נָ֗א הַכְּתֹ֧נֶת בִּנְךָ֛ הִ֖וא אִם לֹֽא

And they sent the tunic of distinction and brought it to their father, and said, "We found this. Recognize, please, whether it is your son's tunic or not."

PresentationAnd
Their staged ignorance is cruelly calculated: they ask Jacob to supply the recognition that will complete their false interpretation.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַֽיְשַׁלְּח֞וּand they sentPiel wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁלַח (H7971)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁלַח (H7971) Piel 'to send'; the brothers send the bloodied tunic to the father — the delivery of the false evidence.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks the tunic as the definite object sent.
כְּתֹ֣נֶתthe tunic ofN f sg cstr · כֻּתֹּנֶת (H3801)Direct object (construct head)כֻּתֹּנֶת (H3801) 'tunic'; the fourth time the garment is named — now it travels back to the father as instrument of deception.
הַפַּסִּ֗יםof distinctionart + N m pl abs · פַּס (H6446)Genitive of כֻּתֹּנֶתפַּס (H6446) 'palm, piece'; the special status garment — named with its full identifying description to ensure Jacob recognizes it.
וַיָּבִ֨יאוּ֙and they broughtHiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring'; the garment is brought to the father — the planned recognition scene.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the father as the recipient of the bloodied tunic.
אֲבִיהֶ֔םtheir fatherN m sg cstr + 3mp suf · אָב (H1)Object of directional prepאָב (H1) 'father'; Jacob receives the garment he gave Joseph — the gift of love becomes the instrument of grief.
וַיֹּאמְר֖וּand they saidQal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the brothers speak in feigned ignorance — their script is carefully crafted to compel Jacob's own identification.
זֹ֣אתthisdem pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Predicate / subject (fronted)זֹאת (H2063) 'this'; the brothers present the garment minimally — 'this we found', forcing Jacob to make the identification himself.
מָצָ֑אנוּwe foundQal perf 1cp · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (scripted ignorance)→ Perfective: completed act of finding (claimed)מָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; the brothers claim to have merely found the tunic — disguising their agency in the killing narrative.
הַכֶּרrecognize!Hiphil impv 2ms · נָכַר (H5234)Imperative (commanded recognition)→ Volitional: imperative of identificationנָכַר (H5234) Hiphil 'to recognize, identify'; the שַׂר command — the brothers command recognition, echoing the word used when Jacob deceived Isaac.
נָ֗אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Particle of entreatyנָא (H4994) particle of entreaty; the brothers' politeness is calculated cruelty — they ask the father to confirm their false narrative.
הַכְּתֹ֧נֶתthe tunicinterrog + N f sg cstr · כֻּתֹּנֶת (H3801)Subject of recognition questionכֻּתֹּנֶת (H3801) 'tunic'; the garment now presented as an interrogative — 'is this your son's tunic or not?'
בִּנְךָ֛your son'sN m sg cstr + 2ms suf · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (ownership in question)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the brothers ask the father to identify the garment as belonging to his son — forcing Jacob into the role of confirming the lie.
הִ֖ואis itpers pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Copular predicate (yes/no question)הִיא (H1931) 3fs pronoun agreeing with כֻּתֹּנֶת; the copular pronoun in the identification question — 'is it or is it not?'
אִםorconj · אִם (H518)Disjunctive conjunctionאִם (H518) 'if, or'; here disjunctive — 'whether it is your son's or not'; the alternative the brothers force Jacob to decide.
לֹֽאnotneg · לֹא (H3808)Negative alternativeלֹא (H3808) 'not'; completes the disjunctive — 'or not'. Jacob has no choice but to identify what he knows.
33

וַיַּכִּירָ֤הּ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ כְּתֹ֣נֶת בְּנִ֔י חַיָּ֥ה רָעָ֖ה אֲכָלָ֑תְהוּ טָרֹ֥ף טֹרַ֖ף יוֹסֵֽף

And he recognized it and said, "It is my son's tunic. An evil beast has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces."

RecognitionAnd
Jacob reads the sign exactly as the brothers intended, and Joseph is rhetorically destroyed before the father by the false story of tearing.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיַּכִּירָ֤הּand he recognized itHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms + 3fs suf · נָכַר (H5234)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequenceנָכַר (H5234) Hiphil 'to recognize'; Jacob recognizes the tunic immediately — the brothers' plan succeeds exactly as designed.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Jacob's declaration — the grief-speech the brothers intended to elicit.
כְּתֹ֣נֶתthe tunic ofN f sg cstr · כֻּתֹּנֶת (H3801)Predicate noun (identification)כֻּתֹּנֶת (H3801) 'tunic'; the curt identification — 'my son's tunic' — achieved through the recognition the brothers commanded.
בְּנִ֔יmy sonN m sg cstr + 1cs suf · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of כֻּתֹּנֶתבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; Jacob names it as belonging to his son — the recognition the brothers designed; the father confirms the false narrative.
חַיָּ֥הa wild beastN f sg abs · חַיָּה (H2416)Subject of fabricated explanationחַיָּה (H2416) 'living creature, wild animal'; the fabricated agent — Jacob accepts the brothers' alibi: a beast devoured him.
רָעָ֖הferociousAdj f sg abs · רָע (H7451)Attributive adjective modifying חַיָּהרָע (H7451) 'evil, ferocious'; here attributive — the 'ferocious beast' of the scripted alibi (cf. v. 20).
אֲכָלָ֑תְהוּhas devoured himQal perf 3fs + 3ms suf · אָכַל (H398)Predicate (the scripted death)אָכַל (H398) 'to eat, devour'; Jacob echoes the exact words the brothers scripted in v. 20 — the deception has fully succeeded.
טָרֹ֥ףsurely tornQal inf abs · טָרַף (H2963)Infinitive absolute (intensifying emphasis)→ Infinitive: emphatic intensification of the verbal assertionטָרַף (H2963) 'to tear, rend'; Qal inf abs — the double expression טָרֹף טֹרַף = 'torn to pieces, he has been torn' — maximal intensity.
טֹרַ֖ףhas been tornPual perf 3ms · טָרַף (H2963)Pual predicate (passive of tearing)→ Perfective: completed devastating act (passive)טָרַף (H2963) Pual 'to be torn to pieces'; passive of the Qal — Joseph is rhetorically destroyed by Jacob's own words under the brothers' manipulation.
יוֹסֵֽףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of Pual verbיוֹסֵף (H3130); named last in the verse — the effect of placing his name at the end is to close the false declaration with its object's name.
34

וַיִּקְרַ֤ע יַעֲקֹב֙ שִׂמְלֹתָ֔יו וַיָּ֥שֶׂם שַׂ֖ק בְּמָתְנָ֑יו וַיִּתְאַבֵּ֥ל עַל בְּנ֖וֹ יָמִ֥ים רַבִּֽים

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

MourningAnd
The father's grief is rendered through public mourning signs, showing how completely the brothers' deception has entered the life of the house.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיִּקְרַ֤עand he toreQal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרַע (H7167)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרַע (H7167) 'to tear'; the ritual act of grief — Jacob tears his garments in response to the false news of Joseph's death.
יַעֲקֹב֙Jacobproper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of וַיִּקְרַעיַעֲקֹב (H3290); the name returns to Jacob (not Israel) — in grief he is the bereaved father, not the covenant patriarch.
שִׂמְלֹתָ֔יוhis garmentsN f pl cstr + 3ms suf · שִׂמְלָה (H8071)Direct object of וַיִּקְרַעשִׂמְלָה (H8071) 'garment, outer robe'; pl — Jacob tears his outer garments in the standard mourning gesture.
וַיָּ֥שֶׂםand he put onQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שִׂים (H7760)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place, set'; Jacob places sackcloth on his loins — the formal mourning garment of extreme grief.
שַׂ֖קsackclothN m sg abs · שַׂק (H8242)Direct object of וַיָּשֶׂםשַׂק (H8242) 'sackcloth'; coarse goat-hair cloth worn as mourning dress; a visible public sign of intense grief.
בְּמָתְנָ֑יוon his loinsprep בְּ + N m du cstr + 3ms suf · מֹתֶן (H4975)Locative prepositional phraseמֹתֶן (H4975) 'loin, waist'; the loins as the body part on which sackcloth is girded — the most visible point of mourning dress.
וַיִּתְאַבֵּ֥לand he mournedHitpael wayyiqtol 3ms · אָבַל (H56)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָבַל (H56) Hitpael 'to mourn, lament'; the extended, formal mourning posture — not a momentary cry but a protracted state of grief.
עַלforprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (object of mourning)עַל (H5921) 'on account of, for'; marks the deceased as the cause of mourning.
בְּנ֖וֹhis sonN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · בֵּן (H1121)Object of prep עַלבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; Jacob mourns for his son — the relationship named here is the deepest source of his grief.
יָמִ֥יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; pl = 'many days' — the duration of the mourning underscoring that Jacob refused to be consoled.
רַבִּֽיםmanyAdj m pl abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying יָמִיםרַב (H7227) 'many, great, much'; modifying יָמִים — the mourning extended for many days, not a passing grief.
35

וַיָּקֻמוּ֩ כָל בָּנָ֨יו וְכָל בְּנֹתָ֜יו לְנַחֲמ֗וֹ וַיְמָאֵן֙ לְהִתְנַחֵ֔ם וַיֹּ֕אמֶר כִּֽי אֵרֵ֧ד אֶל בְּנִ֛י אָבֵ֖ל שְׁאֹ֑לָה וַיֵּ֥בְךְּ אֹת֖וֹ אָבִֽיו

And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted, and said, "For I shall go down to my son mourning to Sheol." And his father wept for him.

Inconsolable griefAnd
Jacob's grief rejects consolation and imagines descent to Sheol with Joseph still as son, giving the narrative its deepest register of bereavement.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיָּקֻמוּ֩and they roseQal wayyiqtol 3mp · קוּם (H6965)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, stand up'; the children rise to comfort Jacob — the typical communal response to bereavement.
כָלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct with בָּנָיו)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; all of the sons and daughters rise — the full household attempts comfort.
בָּנָ֨יוhis sonsN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of כֹּלבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; all his sons — including the brothers who perpetrated the betrayal, now acting as comforters.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Conjoined quantifierכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the daughters are added to the group of comforters — the whole family attempts consolation.
בְּנֹתָ֜יוhis daughtersN f pl cstr + 3ms suf · בַּת (H1323)Genitive of כֹּלבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; daughters mentioned here — otherwise unnamed in the chapter; their presence completes the family picture.
לְנַחֲמ֗וֹto comfort himprep לְ + Piel inf cstr + 3ms suf · נָחַם (H5162)Purpose infinitiveנָחַם (H5162) Piel inf cstr 'to comfort, console'; the children's stated purpose — comfort that Jacob will refuse.
וַיְמָאֵן֙and he refusedPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · מָאַן (H3985)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָאַן (H3985) Piel 'to refuse, be unwilling'; Jacob's refusal of consolation — a mark of inconsolable grief that becomes his defining state.
לְהִתְנַחֵ֔םto be comfortedprep לְ + Hitpael inf cstr · נָחַם (H5162)Complementary infinitive to וַיְמָאֵן→ Infinitive: what he refuses to doנָחַם (H5162) Hitpael inf cstr 'to be comforted'; the reflexive stem — Jacob refuses to receive comfort or allow himself consolation.
וַיֹּ֕אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Jacob speaks his declaration of grief — the emotional peak of the chapter.
כִּֽיfor / surelyconj · כִּי (H3588)Asseverative conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, surely'; here asseverative — 'for I will surely go down to my son mourning to Sheol'.
אֵרֵ֧דI will go downQal impf 1cs · יָרַד (H3381)Yiqtol (future declaration)→ Yiqtol: imperfective / future — I shall indeed descendיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down, descend'; Jacob imagines his own death as descent to Sheol — the ultimate expression of inconsolable grief.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks בְּנִי as the destination — 'to my son'.
בְּנִ֛יmy sonN m sg cstr + 1cs suf · בֵּן (H1121)Object of directional prepבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; Jacob imagines descending to Joseph even in death — the bond of parenthood survives the false narrative.
אָבֵ֖לmourningAdj m sg abs · אָבֵל (H57)Adverbial adjective (manner of descent)אָבֵל (H57) 'mourning, lamenting'; Jacob will descend to Sheol still mourning — the grief will be his state at death.
שְׁאֹ֑לָהto SheolN m sg abs + directional ה · שְׁאוֹל (H7585)Directional adverbial accusativeשְׁאוֹל (H7585) 'Sheol, the underworld, the grave'; with directional ה — Jacob declares he will descend mourning to the realm of the dead.
וַיֵּ֥בְךְּand he weptQal wayyiqtol 3ms · בָּכָה (H1058)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבָּכָה (H1058) 'to weep, cry'; the subject shifts — 'his father wept for him' (not Jacob; the text says אָבִיו = his father, referring to Jacob weeping for Joseph).
אֹת֖וֹfor himobj marker + 3ms suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וַיֵּבְךְּאֵת (H853) + 3ms suf; Joseph is the object of the weeping — Jacob weeps for his lost son.
אָבִֽיוhis fatherN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · אָב (H1)Subject of וַיֵּבְךְּאָב (H1) 'father'; Jacob, named as אָבִיו (his father) — the verse closes on the father's ongoing weeping, the culminating image of the deception's effect.
36

וְהַ֨מְּדָנִ֔ים מָכְר֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ אֶל מִצְרָ֑יִם לְפֽוֹטִיפַר֙ סְרִ֣יס פַּרְעֹ֔ה שַׂ֖ר הַטַּבָּחִֽים

And the Medanites sold him into Egypt, to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, chief of the slaughterers.

RelocationAnd
The brief close relocates Joseph definitively into Egypt and into the household of an Egyptian official, preparing the next movement of the narrative.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְהַ֨מְּדָנִ֔יםand the Medanitesconj וְ + art + gentilic noun m pl · מְדָנִי (H4092)Subject of מָכְרוּמְדָנִי (H4092) 'Medanite'; another variant group label (Medan alongside Midian/Ishmael) — the text preserves the variant without harmonizing.
מָכְר֥וּsoldQal perf 3cp · מָכַר (H4376)Predicate verb (closing clause)→ Perfective: completed commercial transactionמָכַר (H4376) 'to sell'; the completed sale is confirmed — Joseph is now in Egypt, sold as a commodity.
אֹת֖וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object of מָכְרוּאֵת (H853) + 3ms suf; Joseph remains the sold object — his person traded to Egypt.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, into'; marks Egypt as the destination of the sale.
מִצְרָ֑יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Object of directional prepמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the destination confirmed — the betrayal has accomplished the descent to Egypt that the whole narrative has been moving toward.
לְפֽוֹטִיפַר֙to Potipharprep לְ + proper noun · פּוֹטִיפַר (H6318)Indirect object / recipientפּוֹטִיפַר (H6318), Egyptian name likely meaning 'the one whom Ra gave'; the officer into whose household Joseph enters — setting up Genesis 39.
סְרִ֣יסofficer / official ofN m sg cstr · סָרִיס (H5631)Appositive (title, construct head)סָרִיס (H5631) 'officer, official, eunuch'; court official of Pharaoh; in Egyptian context likely means high official rather than necessarily castrated.
פַּרְעֹ֔הPharaohproper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive of סָרִיספַּרְעֹה (H6547) 'Pharaoh'; the Egyptian king — his court is the destination; Potiphar is his direct subordinate.
שַׂ֖רchief ofN m sg cstr · שַׂר (H8269)Second appositive (title, construct head)שַׂר (H8269) 'chief, commander, official'; with הַטַּבָּחִים = 'chief of the guard/slaughterers' — a high military-administrative title.
הַטַּבָּחִֽיםthe guard / slaughterersart + N m pl abs · טַבָּח (H2876)Genitive of שַׂרטַבָּח (H2876) 'slaughterer, executioner, guard'; pl — the term can mean royal executioners or palace guards; Joseph enters a household of power and danger.