This is the history of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. Joseph brought an evil report of them to their father.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 2. Generations. This connects his history with Calmet. 35. What happened to Jacob and his sons, and particularly to Joseph, forms the subject of the remaining part of Genesis. Bible.—Old; complete, or beginning “his 17th year,” as the Hebrew Chal. and Septuagint have it. “He was the son or boy of”—so many years always means the current year unfinished. Bochart 1. R. xiii. 1.—The sons. Perhaps these were not so much enraged against Joseph, till he told his father of their scandalous behaviour, in order that he might put a stop to it.—He accused. Some editions of the Septuagint read, “they accused him,” and so forth; but all others confirm the Vulgate and Hebrew. Calmet.—Crime: perhaps of sodomy, or bestiality (Saint Thomas Aquinas); or of abusive language to Joseph himself. Calmet.