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◄ Genesis 37:18►

New International Version
But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.

New Living Translation
When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him.

English Standard Version
They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him.

Berean Standard Bible
Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him.

King James Bible
And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.

New King James Version
Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him.

New American Standard Bible
When they saw him from a distance, and before he came closer to them, they plotted against him to put him to death.

NASB 1995
When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death.

NASB 1977
When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death.

Legacy Standard Bible
And they saw him from a distance, and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death.

Amplified Bible
And when they saw him from a distance, even before he came close to them, they plotted to kill him.

Christian Standard Bible
They saw him in the distance, and before he had reached them, they plotted to kill him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They saw him in the distance, and before he had reached them, they plotted to kill him.

American Standard Version
And they saw him afar off, and before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.

Contemporary English Version
But before he got there, they saw him coming and made plans to kill him.

English Revised Version
And they saw him afar off, and before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They saw him from a distance. Before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.

Good News Translation
They saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted against him and decided to kill him.

International Standard Version
Now as soon as they saw him approaching from a distance, before he arrived they plotted together to kill him.

NET Bible
Now Joseph's brothers saw him from a distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.

New Heart English Bible
Now they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them they plotted against him to kill him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near to them, they conspired against him to slay him.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him.

World English Bible
They saw him afar off, and before he came near to them, they conspired against him to kill him.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And they see him from afar, even before he draws near to them, and they conspire against him to put him to death.

Young's Literal Translation
And they see him from afar, even before he draweth near unto them, and they conspire against him to put him to death.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will see him from far off and before he will draw near to them, and they will act deceitfully with him, to kill him.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they saw him afar off, be- fore he came nigh them, they thought to kill him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And, when they had seen him from afar, before he approached them, they decided to kill him.

New American Bible
They saw him from a distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.

New Revised Standard Version
They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And they saw him from afar, and before he came near to them, they conspired against him to kill him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they saw him from a distance, and before he came to them, they were scheming against him to kill him.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And they saw him afar off, and before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they spied him from a distance before he drew nigh to them, and they wickedly took counsel to slay him.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Joseph Sold by His Brothers
…17“They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’ ” So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan.18Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance,and before he arrived,they plotted to kill him.19“Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Matthew 27:1
When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death.

John 11:53
So from that day on they plotted to kill Him.

Acts 7:9
Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him

Matthew 21:38
But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.’

Mark 14:1
Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him.

John 7:1
After this, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He did not want to travel in Judea, because the Jews there were trying to kill Him.

Acts 23:12-15
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...

Matthew 26:3-4
At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, / and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.

John 5:18
Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

Luke 20:14
But when the tenants saw the son, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’

1 John 3:12
Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.

Jeremiah 11:19
For I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter; I did not know that they had plotted against me: “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.”

Psalm 37:12
The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them,

1 Samuel 19:1
Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David,

1 Samuel 23:19-20
Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon? / Now, O king, come down whenever your soul desires, and we will be responsible for delivering him into your hand.”

Treasury of Scripture

And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near to them, they conspired against him to slay him.

conspired.

1 Samuel 19:1
And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.

Psalm 31:13
For I have heard the slander of many: fearwas on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

Psalm 37:12,32
The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth…

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Genesis 37

1.Joseph is loved by Jacob, but hated by his brothers.
5.His dreams and the interpretation.
12.Jacob sends him to his brothers, who counsel to slay him.
21.At Reuben's desire they cast him into a pit;
25.and afterwards sell him to the Ishmaelites;
29.while Ruben grieves at not finding him.
31.His coat, covered with blood, is sent to Jacob, who mourns him inordinately.
36.Joseph is brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance
Joseph's brothers were tending their father's flocks in Dothan, a location approximately 13 miles north of Shechem. This area was known for its pastures and trade routes. The brothers' ability to see Joseph from afar suggests the open landscape typical of the region. Joseph's distinctive coat, a symbol of his father's favoritism, likely made him recognizable from a distance. This moment foreshadows the unfolding of God's providential plan, as Joseph's journey to his brothers sets in motion events that will lead to the fulfillment of his earlier dreams (Genesis 37:5-11).

and before he arrived
The anticipation of Joseph's arrival indicates the brothers' premeditated thoughts and emotions. Their actions were not impulsive but rather a culmination of deep-seated jealousy and resentment. This moment highlights the human tendency to harbor grudges and the destructive power of envy, which is warned against in scriptures such asJames 3:16.

they plotted to kill him
The brothers' conspiracy to kill Joseph reflects the severity of their animosity. This act of plotting is reminiscent of Cain's murder of Abel (Genesis 4:8), showcasing the recurring theme of sibling rivalry and violence in Genesis. The brothers' plan also serves as a type of Christ, as Joseph, the beloved son, is rejected and betrayed by his own, paralleling Jesus' rejection by His people (John 1:11). This plot, however, is ultimately thwarted by God's sovereign plan, which uses human evil to bring about His purposes, as seen in Joseph's eventual rise to power in Egypt and the preservation of his family during famine (Genesis 50:20).

Persons / Places / Events

1.Joseph
The favored son of Jacob, known for his dreams that foretold his future rise to power. His brothers' jealousy towards him is a central theme in this account.

2.Joseph's Brothers
The sons of Jacob, who are envious of Joseph's favored status and his dreams. Their jealousy leads them to plot against him.

3.Dothan
The place where Joseph's brothers were pasturing their father's flocks and where they plotted against Joseph. It is significant as the location of the brothers' betrayal.

4.Plot to Kill
The brothers' conspiracy to murder Joseph, which marks a pivotal moment of betrayal and sets the stage for Joseph's eventual journey to Egypt.

Teaching Points

The Destructive Power of Jealousy
Jealousy can lead to devastating actions, as seen in the brothers' plot against Joseph. Believers are called to guard their hearts against envy and seek contentment in God's provision.

God's Sovereignty in Adversity
Despite the brothers' evil intentions, God's plan for Joseph's life was not thwarted. This teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when faced with betrayal or hardship.

The Importance of Forgiveness
Joseph's account ultimately leads to reconciliation and forgiveness. Christians are encouraged to forgive those who wrong them, following Joseph's example and Christ's teaching.

Family Dynamics and Favoritism
Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph contributed to the brothers' jealousy. This serves as a cautionary tale about the impact of favoritism within families and the importance of treating all family members with love and fairness.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Genesis 37:18?

2.How does Genesis 37:18 illustrate the consequences of harboring jealousy and hatred?

3.What can we learn from Joseph's brothers' actions in Genesis 37:18?

4.How does Genesis 37:18 connect to the theme of God's sovereignty in Genesis?

5.How can we guard against jealousy like Joseph's brothers in our lives?

6.What steps can we take to reconcile with those we have wronged?

7.Why did Joseph's brothers conspire to kill him in Genesis 37:18?

8.How does Genesis 37:18 reflect human nature and jealousy?

9.What does Genesis 37:18 reveal about family dynamics in biblical times?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 37?

11.What is the Bible's perspective on gangs?

12.Why did Joseph's brothers sell him into slavery?

13.If Joseph’s intention in Genesis 44:18–34 was to test his brothers’ repentance, why does the narrative omit any mention of divine guidance or command for this potentially manipulative plan?

14.How does the elaborate scheme in Genesis 44:6–13 align with ethical principles, and why would a righteous figure like Joseph resort to deception rather than straightforward communication?

What Does Genesis 37:18 Mean

Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance

• The scene opens with Joseph approaching his brothers near Dothan (Genesis 37:17). Their ability to recognize him “in the distance” reminds us how familiar they were with his appearance—perhaps his distinctive coat still marked him out (Genesis 37:3).

• Seeing Joseph should have stirred familial affection, yet it triggered resentment that had been simmering since his dreams (Genesis 37:5–11).

• Scripture often notes the significance of what people see from afar: the father spotting the prodigal son (Luke 15:20), Balaam viewing Israel from a distance (Numbers 24:2). Here, sight becomes the spark for sin.

• The moment calls believers to examine first impressions: unchecked envy can ignite quickly (James 3:14–16).

and before he arrived

• There is a brief window between sight and arrival—a span filled with opportunity either to welcome or to scheme.

• This pause exposes how sin takes root in the heart before any action is taken, echoing Jesus’ warning that anger precedes murder (Matthew 5:21–22).

• James traces the same trajectory: “Desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin” (James 1:14–15). The brothers’ minds race ahead to violence before a word is exchanged.

• The phrase also highlights Joseph’s vulnerability; he is alone, unaware, and still trusting, much like David delivering provisions to his brothers before facing Goliath (1 Samuel 17:17–23).

they plotted to kill him

• The conspiracy is deliberate. “Plotted” mirrors the premeditation of Cain against Abel (Genesis 4:8) and foreshadows later betrayals of the righteous, such as the leaders’ plan to kill Jesus (Matthew 26:3–4).

• Hatred within a covenant family is especially tragic.Proverbs 1:10–11 warns against joining violence;1 John 3:15 equates murderous intent with murder itself.

•Acts 7:9 notes, “The patriarchs… sold Joseph into Egypt,” spotlighting this verse as the moment their hearts crossed the line from jealousy to intended homicide.

• God’s sovereign hand is not absent; what they mean for evil will become the very means of Joseph’s rise and Israel’s preservation (Genesis 50:20).

summary

Joseph’s brothers glimpse him, mull over murderous thoughts, and hatch a deadly plan—all before he reaches them. The verse exposes how envy, left unchecked, can sprint from sight to scheme. It challenges us to guard our hearts in the earliest moments of resentment, trusting God to redeem even the darkest intentions for His saving purposes.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 18. -And when (literally,and)they saw him afar off, even (or, and)before he came near unto them, they (literally, andthey)conspired against him (or, dealt with him fraudulently)to slay him

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Now [Joseph’s brothers] saw
וַיִּרְא֥וּ(way·yir·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7200:To see

him
אֹת֖וֹ(’ō·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

in the distance,
מֵרָחֹ֑ק(mê·rā·ḥōq)
Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7350:Remote, of place, time, precious

and before
וּבְטֶ֙רֶם֙(ū·ḇə·ṭe·rem)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Adverb
Strong's 2962:Non-occurrence, not yet, before

he arrived,
יִקְרַ֣ב(yiq·raḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7126:To come near, approach

they plotted
וַיִּֽתְנַכְּל֥וּ(way·yiṯ·nak·kə·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5230:To be crafty, deceitful or knavish

to kill him.
לַהֲמִיתֽוֹ׃(la·hă·mî·ṯōw)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191:To die, to kill

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OT Law: Genesis 37:18 They saw him afar off and before (Gen. Ge Gn)