Genesis 37:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Observe how this remarkable young man, Joseph, unknowingly faces hostility from his brothers, whom he treats as kin and trusts wholeheartedly. He engages with them candidly, yet their hearts, consumed by jealousy, turn against him. The Scripture reveals, "And they saw," which indicates that their father’s affection for Joseph surpassed his love for them, leading to their deep-seated animosity; they could not even engage with him kindly. This escalating hatred cloaked in passion led them to betray a brother who had done no wrong. The phrase "they could not speak to him amicably" signifies that overwhelming emotion had taken control of them, causing their enmity to grow.

The father had a profound affection for Joseph, evidenced by the gift of a richly colored garment, a mark of his unique love. This gesture sparked jealousy among the brothers, which fueled their animosity, as later events revealed. Similarly, the Pharisees harbored fierce resentment towards the Beloved, referring to Christ, due to the divine glory vested upon Him by God the Father. This glory astonished many for several reasons: as the life-giving God, as the Light meant to illuminate those enveloped in darkness (cf. Jn. 8:12; Jn. 12:46), as He healed lepers and raised the dead with ease (cf. Jn. 11:39), and as He commanded the seas and walked triumphantly upon the waves (cf. Mt. 8:24-27).

The concept of διάυεσις, signifying the inclination of the heart, is recognized by only a few individuals, particularly those united by shared morals or a community of virtues, even though there is significant variation within these dispositions themselves. The way parents express love differs from one another, just as the love between spouses, siblings, and children varies greatly. Notably, the affection parents have for their children is not uniform. This is illustrated by the example of the patriarch who, despite loving all twelve of his sons with a genuine paternal love, held Joseph in a special regard, as the scriptures indicate: his brothers envied Joseph because their father favored him above the rest (Genesis 37:4).

Concerning the venerable Joseph, dear brethren, it is recorded that his siblings were filled with jealousy and could not engage with him in a congenial manner. Indeed, my beloved, the scourge of jealousy is perilous enough to affect even those of close kin, let alone outsiders. In fact, from the dawn of creation, the wicked Cain took the life of the righteous Abel due to envy (See Gen. 4:1-15), yet the holy and steadfast Joseph, through his trials, emerges as an even more devoted servant of the Lord. Driven by jealousy, his brothers first betrayed him and sold him into servitude to the Ishmaelites; subsequently, he was sold by those who had initially honored him and found himself in the service of an Egyptian master (See Genesis 37:18-28,36). Throughout his tribulations, his spirit maintained its nobility, becoming a shining example for both the enslaved and the free.

The siblings held deep animosity towards Joseph, with some resenting him for refraining from their wrongful actions and for informing their father of such misdeeds, while others envied him for their father's greater affection towards Joseph. They found it impossible to address him kindly and spread false charges against him, casting aspersions on their father as well. Nevertheless, Jacob, fully aware of Joseph's virtue, did not accept their accusations.

The siblings of Joseph harbored resentment when they realized that their father favored him above all his other sons. Each interaction with him and every glance evoked deep turmoil within their hearts.

They were unable to speak kindly to him. The term peace is commonly used by the Hebrews in everyday greetings (see Genesis 29:6, 1 Samuel 25:6), so it is plausible that Joseph's brothers refrained from even acknowledging him when they encountered him. It is stated that they could not because those who are consumed by their emotions feel incapable of doing what they have long resisted. Furthermore, within the narrative of Joseph, one can observe a representation of the soul, divinely chosen and guided by predestination toward a significant purpose. Much like Joseph, those souls marked for greatness from an early age exhibit signs of God’s distinct affection; they possess an awareness of their calling and do not conceal it. This awareness provokes envy among their peers, leading them into a crucible of trials intended to refine and strengthen them.