Genesis 37:10

Authorized King James Version

And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיְסַפֵּ֣ר

H5608

And he told

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָבִ֔יו

and his father

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְאֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְאַחֶ֔יךָ

H251

and thy brethren

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וַיִּגְעַר

H1605

rebuked

to chide

בּ֣וֹ

אָבִ֔יו

and his father

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

him and said

to say (used with great latitude)

#10

ל֔וֹ

#11

מָ֛ה

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

#12

הַֽחֲל֥וֹם

H2472

unto him What is this dream

a dream

#13

הַזֶּ֖ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#14

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#15

חָלָ֑מְתָּ

H2492

that thou hast dreamed

properly, to bind firmly, i.e., (through the figurative sense of dumbness) to dream

#16

נָב֗וֹא

H935

come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#17

נָב֗וֹא

H935

come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#18

אֲנִי֙

H589

#19

וְאִמְּךָ֣

H517

Shall I and thy mother

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

#20

וְאַחֶ֔יךָ

H251

and thy brethren

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

#21

לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֹ֥ת

H7812

to bow down

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

#22

לְךָ֖

#23

אָֽרְצָה׃

H776

ourselves to thee to the earth

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis

This verse develops the creation and providence theme central to Genesis. The concept of divine revelation reflects God's absolute sovereignty over all existence. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to foundational narrative establishing God's relationship with creation and humanity, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the patriarchal period (c. 2000-1500 BCE) and primeval history provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The ancient Near Eastern world with its creation myths, flood narratives, and patriarchal social structures provided the cultural backdrop against which God's revelation stands in stark contrast. The ancient Near Eastern cosmology and patriarchal society would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Ancient Near Eastern creation texts like Enuma Elish provide comparative context for understanding Genesis's unique theological perspective.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about creation and providence?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
What practical applications emerge from understanding creation and providence as presented in this verse, particularly in light of contemporary challenges facing the church and individual believers?

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