The Significance of Joseph's Coat of Many Colors
The Significance of Joseph's Coat of Many Colors
The story of Joseph's coat of many colors is a pivotal narrative in the book of Genesis, symbolizing the favoritism shown by Jacob towards Joseph, and subsequently, the jealousy and resentment harbored by his brothers [3]. The coat, described as a "coat of many colors" or a "long garment with sleeves" in different translations, was a tangible representation of Jacob's love for Joseph, being the son of his old age [1, 7].
The biblical account in Genesis 37:3-4 highlights Jacob's affection for Joseph, stating that "Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age" and that he "made him a coat of many colors" [3]. This act of favoritism did not go unnoticed by Joseph's brothers, who grew to hate him even more upon seeing the special garment [7].
The coat itself has been interpreted in various ways by commentators. According to Flavius Josephus, the high priest's garment in the tabernacle, which was also ornate and symbolic, might have some parallels with Joseph's coat in terms of its significance and the symbolic meanings attached to its components [5, 6]. However, the specific significance of Joseph's coat is more directly related to the narrative of Genesis.
The brothers' jealousy culminated in a plot against Joseph, which involved stripping him of his coat, throwing him into a pit, and eventually selling him into slavery [2]. The coat was then dipped in the blood of a goat and presented to Jacob as evidence that Joseph had been torn apart by a wild animal [4]. This act was a cruel deception, meant to conceal their sin and mislead their father [8].
In the view of some commentators, the coat represents not just Jacob's favoritism but also foreshadows the suffering of Joseph and, typologically, the suffering of Christ [11]. Matthew Henry notes that the stripping of Joseph's coat was a degradation, akin to stripping someone of their honor or privileges, and parallels the treatment of Jesus Christ, who was stripped of his garments during his crucifixion [11].
The narrative surrounding Joseph's coat also highlights the themes of jealousy, deception, and the consequences of sin. The brothers' actions were motivated by jealousy, and their attempt to cover their sin led to further deception [8, 10]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown observe that the scheme to deceive Jacob was a necessary consequence of their initial crime, illustrating how one sin often leads to another [10].
The significance of Joseph's coat of many colors extends beyond the immediate narrative, serving as a symbol of the complex dynamics within Jacob's family and the unfolding drama that would eventually lead to Joseph's rise in Egypt. It also serves as a reminder of the human tendencies towards jealousy and deception, as well as the providence of God that can bring about redemption from such acts [9].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Joseph — Remover or increaser. (1.) The elder of the two sons of Jacob by Rachel (Gen. 30:23, 24), who, on the occasion of his birth, said, "God hath taken away [Heb. asaph] my reproach." "The Lord shall add [Heb. yoseph] to me another son" (Gen. 30:24). He was a child of probably six years of age when his father returned from Haran to Canaan and took up his residence in the old patriarchal town of Hebron. "Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age," and he "made him a long garment with sleeves" (Gen. 37:3, R.V. marg.),”
- Genesis “When Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped Joseph of his coat, the coat of many colors that was on him; -- Genesis 37:23”
- Genesis “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age, and he made him a coat of many colors. -- Genesis 37:3”
- Genesis “They took the coat of many colors, and they brought it to their father, and said, “We have found this. Examine it, now, whether it is your son’s coat or not.” -- Genesis 37:32”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 15, section 6: yet he intended to publish, about the reasons of many of the laws of Moses; of which see the note on the Preface, sect. 4.] 12 (return) [ Of this tabernacle of Moses, with its several parts and furniture, see my description at large, chap. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12., hereto belonging.] 13 (return) [ The use of these golden bells at the bottom of the high priest's long garment, seems to me to have been this: That by shaking his garment at the time of his offering incense in the temple, on the great day of expiation, or at other prop”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 7, section 6: the candlesticks, they referred to the course of the planets, of which that is the number. The veils, too, which were composed of four things, they declared the four elements; for the fine linen was proper to signify the earth, because the flax grows out of the earth; the purple signified the sea, because that color is dyed by the blood of a sea shell-fish; the blue is fit to signify the air; and the scarlet will naturally be an indication of fire. Now the vestment of the high priest being made of linen, signified the earth; the ”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Joseph — (increase). + The elder of the two sons of Jacob by Rachel. He was born in Padan-aram (Mesopotamia), probably about B.C. 1746. He is first mentioned when a youth, seventeen years old. Joseph brought the evil report of his brethren to his father, and they hated him because his father loved him more than he did them, and had shown his preference by making a dress which appears to have been a long tunic with sleeves, worn by youths and maidens of the richer class. (Genesis 37:2) He dreamed a dream foreshadowing his future power, which increased the hatred of his”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 37:31: I. Joseph would soon be missed, great enquiry would be made for him, and therefore his brethren have a further design, to make the world believe that Joseph was torn in pieces by a wild beast; and this they did, 1. To clear themselves, that they might not be suspected to have done him any mischief. Note, We have all learned of Adam to cover our transgression, Job 31:33. When the devil has taught men to commit one sin, he then teaches them to conceal it with another, theft and murder with lying and perjury; but he that covers his sin shall not prosper long. Josep”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 37:23: they stripped Joseph out of his coat . . . of many colors--Imagine him advancing in all the unsuspecting openness of brotherly affection. How astonished and terrified must he have been at the cold reception, the ferocious aspect, the rough usage of his unnatural assailants! A vivid picture of his state of agony and despair was afterwards drawn by themselves (compare Gen 42:21).”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 37:31: they took Joseph's coat--The commission of one sin necessarily leads to another to conceal it; and the scheme of deception which the sons of Jacob planned and practised on their aged father was a necessary consequence of the atrocious crime they had perpetrated. What a wonder that their cruel sneer, "thy son's coat," and their forced efforts to comfort him, did not awaken suspicion! But extreme grief, like every other passion, is blind, and Jacob, great as his affliction was, did allow himself to indulge his sorrow more than became one who believed i”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 37:23: We have here the execution of their plot against Joseph. 1. They stripped him, each striving to seize the envied coat of many colours, Gen 37:23. Thus, in imagination, they degraded him from the birthright, of which perhaps this was the badge, grieving him, affronting their father, and making themselves sport, while they insulted over him. "Now, Joseph, where is the fine coat?" Thus our Lord Jesus was stripped of his seamless coat, and thus his suffering saints have first been industriously divested of their privileges and honours, and then made the off-scouring”