Genesis 37:18 - They saw him afar off, and before he came near to them, they conspired against him to kill him.

Generated Verse: Genesis 37:18

What does "Genesis 37:18" mean?


This verse from Genesis 37:18 describes the moment Joseph's brothers see him coming towards them from a distance. It highlights two key points:

They saw him afar off: This emphasizes that Joseph was not yet close enough to pose any immediate threat or even engage in conversation. His brothers' animosity was not triggered by anything he said or did in that moment.
Before he came near to them, they conspired against him to kill him: This reveals the depth of the brothers' hatred and malice towards Joseph. They were already plotting his murder before he even reached them, indicating that their plan was premeditated and driven by deep-seated resentment.

In essence, the verse underscores the brothers' pre-existing, violent animosity towards Joseph, motivated by jealousy and resentment over their father's favoritism and Joseph's prophetic dreams. They didn't need any further provocation; their hatred was already at a boiling point. It paints a picture of calculated malice and foreshadows the act of betrayal and violence they were about to commit.