Verse

Genesis 37:7

ESV Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.”
NIV We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.'
NASB for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf stood up and also remained standing; and behold, your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to my sheaf.'
CSB There we were, binding sheaves of grain in the field. Suddenly my sheaf stood up, and your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf."
NLT We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!'
KJV For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

What does Genesis 37:7 mean?

Joseph, 17, has had a powerful and prophetic dream about his life (Genesis 37:5). He decides to tell his ten older half-brothers, all already resentful of him (Genesis 37:4), about the dream. Joseph has seen himself and his brothers binding sheaves of grain in the field together. Suddenly, Joseph's sheaf stands upright like a person. All his brothers' bundles gather around Joseph's sheaf and bow down to it, as subjects would bow down to a ruler.

Anything is possible in dreams, but the images in a prophetic vision have a symbolic meaning. These strange images communicated a powerful message to Joseph's brothers—one which will come true many years later (Genesis 42:6). In this case, the implication is clear enough that a prophet isn't needed to grasp the basic idea. That is what Joseph's brothers will react to in the following verse (Genesis 37:8).
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