Seminaries and Institutes
Genesis 36–37: Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors

“Genesis 36–37: Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide (2002), 34–35

“Genesis 36–37,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide, 34–35

Genesis 36–37

Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors

Genesis 36 lists the names of many of Esau’s descendants (Esau is also called “Edom” in verses 1, 43). Esau’s posterity were neighbors to Jacob (Israel) throughout the history of the Bible and were called “Edomites.”

The birthright son became the leader of the family upon his father’s death. He also assumed responsibility for caring for other family members. In order to fulfill his responsibilities, he was given a double amount of land and goods in his inheritance. Because of the covenant God made with Abraham, the birthright son also had spiritual responsibilities. (For more information, see the Bible Dictionary, “birthright,” p. 625.)

Usually the firstborn son received the birthright. Reuben, however, made himself unworthy of this honor (see Genesis 35:22; 1 Chronicles 5:1). As the firstborn son of Rachel, Jacob’s second wife, Joseph was given the birthright. The “coat of many colors” Jacob gave to Joseph (see Genesis 37:3) is thought to represent the fact that Joseph received the birthright (see William Wilson, Old Testament Word Studies [1978], “colour,” p. 82).

Remember that although Joseph was the firstborn son of Rachel, he was the eleventh son born. Even though he was worthy, we can imagine how the ten older brothers must have felt about him receiving the birthright blessings. As you read each part of Genesis 37, think about how you would have felt if you were Joseph at that time.

Studying the Scriptures

Do two of the following activities (A–C) as you study Genesis 37.

  1. Choose a Title for a Biography

    If you were writing a biography of Joseph’s life up to the end of Genesis 37, what would you title it? Explain why.

  2. Joseph’s Trials

    1. List the challenges in Genesis 37 that Joseph faced.

    2. How do you think Joseph felt about his challenges?

    3. How are Joseph’s challenges like the ones young people face today?

  3. Gain Insight from the Book of Mormon

    1. Explain why you think Jacob “refused to be comforted” (v. 35).

      map of Joseph’s journey

      Joseph Was Sold into Slavery

      Dothan

      Shechem

      Hebron

      Memphis

      0

      50 miles

      At Dothan, seventeen-year-old Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers and sold to a passing caravan of Ishmaelite merchants.

      Joseph served Potiphar for eleven years, spent two years in prison, and was then called forth by the pharaoh and made prime minister of Egypt at the age of thirty.

      The Ishmaelites carried Joseph into Egypt and sold him into slavery.

    2. Jacob kept a piece of Joseph’s coat that his sons brought to him. Later, when he learned that Joseph was still alive, he prophesied about Joseph’s descendants. Read this prophecy in Alma 46:24–25 and explain it in your own words. This prophecy not only refers to the people of the Book of Mormon but also to you if you are from the tribes of Ephraim or Manasseh (Joseph’s sons).