Verse

Genesis 37:14

ESV So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
NIV So he said to him, 'Go and see if all is well with your brothers and with the flocks, and bring word back to me.' Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. When Joseph arrived at Shechem,
NASB Then he said to him, 'Go now and see about the welfare of your brothers and the welfare of the flock, and bring word back to me.' So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
CSB Then Israel said to him, "Go and see how your brothers and the flocks are doing, and bring word back to me." So he sent him from the Hebron Valley, and he went to Shechem.
NLT Go and see how your brothers and the flocks are getting along,' Jacob said. 'Then come back and bring me a report.' So Jacob sent him on his way, and Joseph traveled to Shechem from their home in the valley of Hebron.
KJV And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

What does Genesis 37:14 mean?

Unknowingly, Jacob is sending Joseph into a lion's den. He is either unaware or indifferent to the hatred and jealousy of Joseph's ten older brothers (Genesis 37:3–4). The main reason for this is Jacob's own favoritism. Joseph's grandiose dreams (Genesis 37:5, 9–10) and willingness to bring bad news about them to their faither (Genesis 37:2) have made things even worse. Neither Jacob nor Joseph indicate they know the brothers' simmering hatred has reached a boiling point. Jacob instructs Joseph to travel, alone, from their home in the Valley of Hebron north to where the flocks are being pastured near Shechem (Genesis 37:12). If Joseph knows his brothers are dangerous, he does not mention it to Jacob.

Joseph arrives in the area with the mission of collecting a report on the status of the flocks from his brothers and returning to their father. Jacob's reason for sending Joseph might be a well-justified suspicion. The brothers are not where they were expected to be Genesis 37:15–17). Joseph will find them, but He won't make it back home (Genesis 37:28).
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