And as soon as he came to his brethren, they forthwith stript him of his outside coat, that was of divers colours:
וֽ͏ַיְהִ֕י כּֽ͏ַאֲשֶׁר־בָּ֥א יוֹסֵ֖ף אֶל־אֶחָ֑יו וַיַּפְשִׁ֤יטוּ אֶת־יוֹסֵף֙ אֶת־כֻּתָּנְתּ֔וֹ אֶת־כְּתֹ֥נֶת הַפַּסִּ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָלָֽיו׃
5 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Joseph had not yet joined them during this gathering, and after their discussion concluded, it is noted that Joseph arrived to meet his brothers. They should have eagerly run to their sibling to embrace him and learn what their father had instructed; instead, they charged at him like wild animals upon spotting the lamb.
As he approached with heartfelt greetings, offering peace on behalf of his parents, they reacted with ferocity, rising up like wild animals, tearing away the richly ornamented robe he wore. Each one bared their teeth, driven by a desire to consume him, their hatred overt and merciless as they unleashed their wrath upon this fair and radiant youth. Observing the imminent peril he faced and the absence of compassion from those around him, Joseph at last turned to earnest pleading, overwhelmed with tears and heartfelt sighs. He raised his voice in desperation, imploring them, "Why does your anger rise against me? I beg of you, dear brothers, please have patience with me for just a moment, that I may speak. My mother has passed away, and Jacob grieves for her daily.
Do you wish to cause our father more sorrow when he is still mourning? I ask you, permit me a brief respite, that I may remain with Jacob, for I fear for his old age, that it may succumb to illness and despair. Therefore, I call upon you in the name of the God of our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, by the One who first called Abraham, saying, ‘Get thee out of thy land, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, and go into the land which I will show thee’ (Genesis 12:1), and I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens and as the sand by the seashore, which cannot be counted; I implore by the Most High God, who granted Abraham the patience to offer his beloved son Isaac with perfect obedience, that this same patience might be ascribed to him; I invoke the God who saved Isaac from death, providing a ram as a gracious offering in his place; I call upon the Holy One who blessed Jacob through the voice of his father Isaac; I appeal to the God who accompanied Jacob to Harran in Mesopotamia, from whence Abraham journeyed; may the One who rescued Jacob from all his tribulations and promised him blessings ensure that I do not lose Jacob as I lost Rachel. Let him not weep for me as he grieved for Rachel, and may the eyes of Jacob, who longs for my return, not be dimmed once more. Please send me to my father Jacob, receive my tears, and return me to him."
Even then, the prefigurement of the cross to come had been perceived. Simultaneously, as His garment, the chiton (cf. Jn. 19:23-24), which symbolizes the humanity He had assumed, is removed, it signifies the shedding of the robe adorned with numerous virtues. Moreover, His chiton, referring to His physical body and not His divine nature, is marked with blood, while the covering of His flesh, and not the eternal life, could be stripped away from Him. This chiton was stained by the sins of the Jewish people, who Christ referred to when He declared, “Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves” (Matthew 10:16).
Gentle as a lamb, Joseph was oblivious to the malice of his brothers. He approached them and greeted them warmly with a kiss, representing his father. However, in a savage frenzy, his brothers descended upon him, stripping off the colorful robe he wore. With fierce expressions, they seemed to long for his destruction, baring their teeth in rage. They assaulted Joseph, inflicting pain upon him in various ways, revealing their ruthless and relentless anger. Joseph found himself without any hope that anyone would defend him. In desperation, he raised his voice, weeping and pleading for their compassion: "Why are you filled with fury? I earnestly ask you to show me some kindness and hear my sorrow. Brothers! You know well that my father mourns daily for the loss of my mother.
You wouldn’t want to cause him further heartache while he still grieves for the first. Please do not sever my bond with my father; it would bring him despair until the end of his days. I beseech you by the God of our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—by the God who instructed Abraham to leave his homeland and dwell in the Promised Land, and who promised Abraham a multitude of descendants, as countless as the stars or the grains of sand. I appeal to you by the Almighty God, who granted Abraham the strength of will at Isaac's sacrifice and provided a ram as a substitute. I implore you by the Holy God who blessed our father Jacob through Isaac, and who did not abandon Jacob in Harran, where God rescued him from distress. In light of all this, I beg you to keep me united with Jacob, lest death separate him from Rachel. If you do not relent, Jacob will mourn for me as he mourns for Rachel, and he may close his eyes in sorrow before I return. Have mercy upon me and allow me to go back to my father!" Thus, Joseph fervently appealed to his brothers, invoking the God of his forefathers.
They removed Joseph's multicolored garments and cast him into a deep, dry pit—alive yet trapped in a dreadful tomb. In that abyss, Joseph faced the jaws of death. O holy youth, through great hardship, your spiritual journey commences! Marvelous strength of your spirit, having withstood such profound suffering. Resilience in hardship is granted by a clean, untarnished conscience. Inspire us to attain your purity and steadfastness, which serve as powerful anchors for the heart amid life's fluctuations.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS