THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
The remarkable Joseph, upon receiving another vision, shared it not just with his siblings but also with his father.
Genesis 37:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
He dreamed also another dream, which he told his brethren, saying: I saw in a dream, as it were the sun, and the moon, and eleven stars worshipping me.
וַיַּחֲלֹ֥ם עוֹד֙ חֲל֣וֹם אַחֵ֔ר וַיְסַפֵּ֥ר אֹת֖וֹ לְאֶחָ֑יו וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הִנֵּ֨ה חָלַ֤מְתִּֽי חֲלוֹם֙ ע֔וֹד וְהִנֵּ֧ה הַשֶּׁ֣מֶשׁ וְהַיָּרֵ֗חַ וְאַחַ֤ד עָשָׂר֙ כּֽוֹכָבִ֔ים מִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֖ים לִֽי׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
5 Church Fathers comment on this verse
- John Chrysostom
- Cyrill of Alexandria
- Ambrose of Milan
- Ignatij (Briantchaninow)
- Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)
Cyrill of Alexandria
The visions of Joseph did not end here; upon experiencing yet another similar revelation, he once more shared it with his esteemed father and his siblings.
Ambrose of Milan
With the understanding that dishonor leads to punishment and virtue brings reward, we can now discuss the responsibilities we should embrace from an early age, recognizing that these responsibilities mature as we grow. It is appropriate for virtuous young men to embody a reverent fear of the Lord, to honor their parents, to show respect to their elders, to maintain purity, to cultivate humility, and to cherish gentleness and modesty. This aligns with the wisdom found in Cicero, which emphasizes the importance of nurturing the young. Older individuals are marked by solemnity, while youth is characterized by energy and enthusiasm. The journey through the seven stages of life further underscores this truth.
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Modesty is a gift of nature; Isaac exemplified the fear of God, deserving of his heritage as Abraham's heir. He was such a noble son that he willingly submitted to death rather than defy his father's wishes. Similarly, Joseph, who dreamed his family would bow to him, remained steadfast in honoring his father throughout his life.
Ignatij (Briantchaninow)
Joseph has a new vision. With a childlike simplicity, as if to validate his earlier dream and demonstrate that profound visions come to him spontaneously and without his control, he shares this dream with his father and siblings: "I had a vision," he declares, "where the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me."
Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)
The sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me. It is difficult to conceive of celestial bodies such as the sun and stars offering worship. Perhaps this signifies their lowering from their lofty heights to show reverence at Joseph's feet.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Acts 7:9And the patriarchs, through envy, sold Joseph into Egypt. And God was with him,
- Acts 7:14And Joseph sending, called thither Jacob, his father, and all his kindred, seventy-five souls.
- Gen 37:7I thought we were binding sheaves in the field: and my sheaf arose as it were, and stood, and your sheaves standing about bowed down before my sheaf.
- Gen 44:19My lord. Thou didst ask thy servants the first time: Have you a father or a brother.
- Gen 45:9Make haste, and go ye up to my father, and say to him: Thus saith thy son Joseph: God hath made me lord of the whole land of Egypt; come down to me, linger not.
- Gen 46:29And when he was come thither, Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet his father in the same place: and seeing him, he fell upon his neck, and embracing him, wept.
- Gen 47:12And he nourished them, and all his father's house, allowing food to every one.
- Gen 37:10And when he had told this to his father, and brethren, his father rebuked him and said: What meaneth this dream that thou hast dreamed? shall I and thy mother, and thy brethren worship thee upon the earth?