Genesis 37:33Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Observe the peculiar situation. Unlike the Jews who executed Christ, they sold His robe to His father, staining it with the blood of a goat in an attempt to persuade him that the young man had been savagely destroyed. Do you see how this was carried out in a manner that reflected a shadow of events while maintaining the essence of the truth? Indeed, he (Joseph) endured great suffering at their hands, akin to that of wild beasts.

Then the father shed tears, unaware of the jealousy harbored by his sons and their malevolent motives, he lamented loudly.

Jacob beheld the robe and let out a loud wail of grief, expressing his sorrow with painful cries, proclaiming, “This is the tunic of my son Joseph. A ferocious animal has devoured my son.”

He acknowledged it and exclaimed: "Is this the robe of my son? A ferocious animal has devoured him! A wild beast has taken Joseph!"