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Genesis 41 All

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Gen 41:1-5

Home > The Old Testament > Genesis > Genesis 36-50 > Chapters 37-41a
Previous page: Chapter 36                      Next page: Chapters 41b-47a


This page would ideally always be under construction. You are invited to contribute.


Summary

This section should be very brief. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Chapters 37-41a recount Joseph's suffering and demonstration of his worthiness. The relationship of Chapters 37-41a to the rest of the Joseph cycle is discussed at Genesis 36-50. These chapters can be outlined as follows:

Discussion

This section is for detailed discussion such as the meaning of a symbol, how a doctrinal point is developed throughout a passage, or insights that can be further developed in the future. Contributions may range from polished paragraphs down to a single bullet point. The focus, however, should always be on understanding the scriptural text consistent with LDS doctrine. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 38: Judah contrasted with Joseph. Although this chapter seems to disrupt the story about Joseph from the previous chapter(s), the sets up a strong contrast between Judah and Joseph's behavior and attitudes toward sexual purity in the next chapter, viz. 39:7-12. The tension between Judah and Joseph climaxes in Gen 44.
  • Gen 38:2: Took. The combined phrases "Judah saw there a daughter" and "he took her" taken together seem to have an illicit connotation, suggesting a basis of lust rather than covenantal propriety. The fact that the wife's name isn't mentioned also seems to suggest this. Other usages of the word take with illicit overtones include: Gen 3:6, 6:2, 12:15, 34:2, and Judg 14:1-2. See Word Bible Dictionary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 (ISBN 0849902010).
  • Gen 38:9: Spilled it on the ground. The Hebrew wording suggests that Onan practiced coitus interruptus on each occassion, not just once. As the NIV renders it, "But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother."
  • Gen 38:11: Levirate marriage. Among ancient Israelites, Assyrians, and Hittites, as well as at Nuzi and Ugarit, there was a responsibility of marrying one's widowed sister-in-law (cf. Deut 25:5). Many scholars believe that there was an earlier, stricter stage of the law where the obligation was mandatory and ultimately rested with the father-in-law. (See WBD reference below.)
References: See Word Biblical Commentary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 * WBD: See Word Bible Dictionary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 (ISBN 0849902010) and the references mentioned therein, particularly Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions by R. de Vauz (translated by J. McHugh, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1961), pp. 37-8.
  • 'Gen 38:24: Penalty for adultery: Tamar seems to be technically betrothed to Shelah (though Judah does not seem interested in fulfilling his promise of having him marry her). It seems Judah could legitamately demand the death penalty (cf. Deut 22:23-24), though burning seems an extreme form of death (compared to stoning) reserved only for a priest's daughter in Deut 22:21. Ironically for Judah, the law also implicates the partner of the adulteress.

Unanswered questions

This section is for questions along the lines of "I still don't understand ..." Please do not be shy. The point of these questions is to identify things that still need to be addressed on this page. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 37:11: What is meant by "his father observed the saying"?

Prompts for life application

This section is for prompts that suggest ways in which a passage can influence a person's life. Prompts may be appropriate either for private self reflection or for a class discussion. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Prompts for further study

This section is for prompts that invite us to think about a passage more deeply or in a new way. These are not necessarily questions that beg for answers, but rather prompts along the lines of "Have you ever thought about ..." Prompts are most helpful when they are developed individually, thoughtfully, and with enough background information to clearly indicate a particular direction for further study or thought. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Resources

This section is for listing links and print resources, including those that are also cited elsewhere on this page. A short comment about the particular strengths of a resource can be helpful. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Notes

Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves (such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word). In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources (such as Strong's Bible Concordance or the Joseph Smith Papers) are preferable to footnotes.




Previous page: Chapter 36                      Next page: Chapters 41b-47a

Gen 41:6-10

Home > The Old Testament > Genesis > Genesis 36-50 > Chapters 37-41a
Previous page: Chapter 36                      Next page: Chapters 41b-47a


This page would ideally always be under construction. You are invited to contribute.


Summary

This section should be very brief. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Chapters 37-41a recount Joseph's suffering and demonstration of his worthiness. The relationship of Chapters 37-41a to the rest of the Joseph cycle is discussed at Genesis 36-50. These chapters can be outlined as follows:

Discussion

This section is for detailed discussion such as the meaning of a symbol, how a doctrinal point is developed throughout a passage, or insights that can be further developed in the future. Contributions may range from polished paragraphs down to a single bullet point. The focus, however, should always be on understanding the scriptural text consistent with LDS doctrine. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 38: Judah contrasted with Joseph. Although this chapter seems to disrupt the story about Joseph from the previous chapter(s), the sets up a strong contrast between Judah and Joseph's behavior and attitudes toward sexual purity in the next chapter, viz. 39:7-12. The tension between Judah and Joseph climaxes in Gen 44.
  • Gen 38:2: Took. The combined phrases "Judah saw there a daughter" and "he took her" taken together seem to have an illicit connotation, suggesting a basis of lust rather than covenantal propriety. The fact that the wife's name isn't mentioned also seems to suggest this. Other usages of the word take with illicit overtones include: Gen 3:6, 6:2, 12:15, 34:2, and Judg 14:1-2. See Word Bible Dictionary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 (ISBN 0849902010).
  • Gen 38:9: Spilled it on the ground. The Hebrew wording suggests that Onan practiced coitus interruptus on each occassion, not just once. As the NIV renders it, "But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother."
  • Gen 38:11: Levirate marriage. Among ancient Israelites, Assyrians, and Hittites, as well as at Nuzi and Ugarit, there was a responsibility of marrying one's widowed sister-in-law (cf. Deut 25:5). Many scholars believe that there was an earlier, stricter stage of the law where the obligation was mandatory and ultimately rested with the father-in-law. (See WBD reference below.)
References: See Word Biblical Commentary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 * WBD: See Word Bible Dictionary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 (ISBN 0849902010) and the references mentioned therein, particularly Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions by R. de Vauz (translated by J. McHugh, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1961), pp. 37-8.
  • 'Gen 38:24: Penalty for adultery: Tamar seems to be technically betrothed to Shelah (though Judah does not seem interested in fulfilling his promise of having him marry her). It seems Judah could legitamately demand the death penalty (cf. Deut 22:23-24), though burning seems an extreme form of death (compared to stoning) reserved only for a priest's daughter in Deut 22:21. Ironically for Judah, the law also implicates the partner of the adulteress.

Unanswered questions

This section is for questions along the lines of "I still don't understand ..." Please do not be shy. The point of these questions is to identify things that still need to be addressed on this page. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 37:11: What is meant by "his father observed the saying"?

Prompts for life application

This section is for prompts that suggest ways in which a passage can influence a person's life. Prompts may be appropriate either for private self reflection or for a class discussion. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Prompts for further study

This section is for prompts that invite us to think about a passage more deeply or in a new way. These are not necessarily questions that beg for answers, but rather prompts along the lines of "Have you ever thought about ..." Prompts are most helpful when they are developed individually, thoughtfully, and with enough background information to clearly indicate a particular direction for further study or thought. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Resources

This section is for listing links and print resources, including those that are also cited elsewhere on this page. A short comment about the particular strengths of a resource can be helpful. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Notes

Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves (such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word). In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources (such as Strong's Bible Concordance or the Joseph Smith Papers) are preferable to footnotes.




Previous page: Chapter 36                      Next page: Chapters 41b-47a

Gen 41:11-15

Home > The Old Testament > Genesis > Genesis 36-50 > Chapters 37-41a
Previous page: Chapter 36                      Next page: Chapters 41b-47a


This page would ideally always be under construction. You are invited to contribute.


Summary

This section should be very brief. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Chapters 37-41a recount Joseph's suffering and demonstration of his worthiness. The relationship of Chapters 37-41a to the rest of the Joseph cycle is discussed at Genesis 36-50. These chapters can be outlined as follows:

Discussion

This section is for detailed discussion such as the meaning of a symbol, how a doctrinal point is developed throughout a passage, or insights that can be further developed in the future. Contributions may range from polished paragraphs down to a single bullet point. The focus, however, should always be on understanding the scriptural text consistent with LDS doctrine. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 38: Judah contrasted with Joseph. Although this chapter seems to disrupt the story about Joseph from the previous chapter(s), the sets up a strong contrast between Judah and Joseph's behavior and attitudes toward sexual purity in the next chapter, viz. 39:7-12. The tension between Judah and Joseph climaxes in Gen 44.
  • Gen 38:2: Took. The combined phrases "Judah saw there a daughter" and "he took her" taken together seem to have an illicit connotation, suggesting a basis of lust rather than covenantal propriety. The fact that the wife's name isn't mentioned also seems to suggest this. Other usages of the word take with illicit overtones include: Gen 3:6, 6:2, 12:15, 34:2, and Judg 14:1-2. See Word Bible Dictionary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 (ISBN 0849902010).
  • Gen 38:9: Spilled it on the ground. The Hebrew wording suggests that Onan practiced coitus interruptus on each occassion, not just once. As the NIV renders it, "But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother."
  • Gen 38:11: Levirate marriage. Among ancient Israelites, Assyrians, and Hittites, as well as at Nuzi and Ugarit, there was a responsibility of marrying one's widowed sister-in-law (cf. Deut 25:5). Many scholars believe that there was an earlier, stricter stage of the law where the obligation was mandatory and ultimately rested with the father-in-law. (See WBD reference below.)
References: See Word Biblical Commentary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 * WBD: See Word Bible Dictionary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 (ISBN 0849902010) and the references mentioned therein, particularly Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions by R. de Vauz (translated by J. McHugh, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1961), pp. 37-8.
  • 'Gen 38:24: Penalty for adultery: Tamar seems to be technically betrothed to Shelah (though Judah does not seem interested in fulfilling his promise of having him marry her). It seems Judah could legitamately demand the death penalty (cf. Deut 22:23-24), though burning seems an extreme form of death (compared to stoning) reserved only for a priest's daughter in Deut 22:21. Ironically for Judah, the law also implicates the partner of the adulteress.

Unanswered questions

This section is for questions along the lines of "I still don't understand ..." Please do not be shy. The point of these questions is to identify things that still need to be addressed on this page. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 37:11: What is meant by "his father observed the saying"?

Prompts for life application

This section is for prompts that suggest ways in which a passage can influence a person's life. Prompts may be appropriate either for private self reflection or for a class discussion. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Prompts for further study

This section is for prompts that invite us to think about a passage more deeply or in a new way. These are not necessarily questions that beg for answers, but rather prompts along the lines of "Have you ever thought about ..." Prompts are most helpful when they are developed individually, thoughtfully, and with enough background information to clearly indicate a particular direction for further study or thought. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Resources

This section is for listing links and print resources, including those that are also cited elsewhere on this page. A short comment about the particular strengths of a resource can be helpful. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Notes

Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves (such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word). In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources (such as Strong's Bible Concordance or the Joseph Smith Papers) are preferable to footnotes.




Previous page: Chapter 36                      Next page: Chapters 41b-47a

Gen 41:16-20

Home > The Old Testament > Genesis > Genesis 36-50 > Chapters 37-41a
Previous page: Chapter 36                      Next page: Chapters 41b-47a


This page would ideally always be under construction. You are invited to contribute.


Summary

This section should be very brief. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Chapters 37-41a recount Joseph's suffering and demonstration of his worthiness. The relationship of Chapters 37-41a to the rest of the Joseph cycle is discussed at Genesis 36-50. These chapters can be outlined as follows:

Discussion

This section is for detailed discussion such as the meaning of a symbol, how a doctrinal point is developed throughout a passage, or insights that can be further developed in the future. Contributions may range from polished paragraphs down to a single bullet point. The focus, however, should always be on understanding the scriptural text consistent with LDS doctrine. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 38: Judah contrasted with Joseph. Although this chapter seems to disrupt the story about Joseph from the previous chapter(s), the sets up a strong contrast between Judah and Joseph's behavior and attitudes toward sexual purity in the next chapter, viz. 39:7-12. The tension between Judah and Joseph climaxes in Gen 44.
  • Gen 38:2: Took. The combined phrases "Judah saw there a daughter" and "he took her" taken together seem to have an illicit connotation, suggesting a basis of lust rather than covenantal propriety. The fact that the wife's name isn't mentioned also seems to suggest this. Other usages of the word take with illicit overtones include: Gen 3:6, 6:2, 12:15, 34:2, and Judg 14:1-2. See Word Bible Dictionary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 (ISBN 0849902010).
  • Gen 38:9: Spilled it on the ground. The Hebrew wording suggests that Onan practiced coitus interruptus on each occassion, not just once. As the NIV renders it, "But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother."
  • Gen 38:11: Levirate marriage. Among ancient Israelites, Assyrians, and Hittites, as well as at Nuzi and Ugarit, there was a responsibility of marrying one's widowed sister-in-law (cf. Deut 25:5). Many scholars believe that there was an earlier, stricter stage of the law where the obligation was mandatory and ultimately rested with the father-in-law. (See WBD reference below.)
References: See Word Biblical Commentary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 * WBD: See Word Bible Dictionary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 (ISBN 0849902010) and the references mentioned therein, particularly Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions by R. de Vauz (translated by J. McHugh, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1961), pp. 37-8.
  • 'Gen 38:24: Penalty for adultery: Tamar seems to be technically betrothed to Shelah (though Judah does not seem interested in fulfilling his promise of having him marry her). It seems Judah could legitamately demand the death penalty (cf. Deut 22:23-24), though burning seems an extreme form of death (compared to stoning) reserved only for a priest's daughter in Deut 22:21. Ironically for Judah, the law also implicates the partner of the adulteress.

Unanswered questions

This section is for questions along the lines of "I still don't understand ..." Please do not be shy. The point of these questions is to identify things that still need to be addressed on this page. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 37:11: What is meant by "his father observed the saying"?

Prompts for life application

This section is for prompts that suggest ways in which a passage can influence a person's life. Prompts may be appropriate either for private self reflection or for a class discussion. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Prompts for further study

This section is for prompts that invite us to think about a passage more deeply or in a new way. These are not necessarily questions that beg for answers, but rather prompts along the lines of "Have you ever thought about ..." Prompts are most helpful when they are developed individually, thoughtfully, and with enough background information to clearly indicate a particular direction for further study or thought. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Resources

This section is for listing links and print resources, including those that are also cited elsewhere on this page. A short comment about the particular strengths of a resource can be helpful. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Notes

Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves (such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word). In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources (such as Strong's Bible Concordance or the Joseph Smith Papers) are preferable to footnotes.




Previous page: Chapter 36                      Next page: Chapters 41b-47a

Gen 41:21-25

Home > The Old Testament > Genesis > Genesis 36-50 > Chapters 37-41a
Previous page: Chapter 36                      Next page: Chapters 41b-47a


This page would ideally always be under construction. You are invited to contribute.


Summary

This section should be very brief. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Chapters 37-41a recount Joseph's suffering and demonstration of his worthiness. The relationship of Chapters 37-41a to the rest of the Joseph cycle is discussed at Genesis 36-50. These chapters can be outlined as follows:

Discussion

This section is for detailed discussion such as the meaning of a symbol, how a doctrinal point is developed throughout a passage, or insights that can be further developed in the future. Contributions may range from polished paragraphs down to a single bullet point. The focus, however, should always be on understanding the scriptural text consistent with LDS doctrine. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 38: Judah contrasted with Joseph. Although this chapter seems to disrupt the story about Joseph from the previous chapter(s), the sets up a strong contrast between Judah and Joseph's behavior and attitudes toward sexual purity in the next chapter, viz. 39:7-12. The tension between Judah and Joseph climaxes in Gen 44.
  • Gen 38:2: Took. The combined phrases "Judah saw there a daughter" and "he took her" taken together seem to have an illicit connotation, suggesting a basis of lust rather than covenantal propriety. The fact that the wife's name isn't mentioned also seems to suggest this. Other usages of the word take with illicit overtones include: Gen 3:6, 6:2, 12:15, 34:2, and Judg 14:1-2. See Word Bible Dictionary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 (ISBN 0849902010).
  • Gen 38:9: Spilled it on the ground. The Hebrew wording suggests that Onan practiced coitus interruptus on each occassion, not just once. As the NIV renders it, "But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother."
  • Gen 38:11: Levirate marriage. Among ancient Israelites, Assyrians, and Hittites, as well as at Nuzi and Ugarit, there was a responsibility of marrying one's widowed sister-in-law (cf. Deut 25:5). Many scholars believe that there was an earlier, stricter stage of the law where the obligation was mandatory and ultimately rested with the father-in-law. (See WBD reference below.)
References: See Word Biblical Commentary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 * WBD: See Word Bible Dictionary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 (ISBN 0849902010) and the references mentioned therein, particularly Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions by R. de Vauz (translated by J. McHugh, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1961), pp. 37-8.
  • 'Gen 38:24: Penalty for adultery: Tamar seems to be technically betrothed to Shelah (though Judah does not seem interested in fulfilling his promise of having him marry her). It seems Judah could legitamately demand the death penalty (cf. Deut 22:23-24), though burning seems an extreme form of death (compared to stoning) reserved only for a priest's daughter in Deut 22:21. Ironically for Judah, the law also implicates the partner of the adulteress.

Unanswered questions

This section is for questions along the lines of "I still don't understand ..." Please do not be shy. The point of these questions is to identify things that still need to be addressed on this page. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 37:11: What is meant by "his father observed the saying"?

Prompts for life application

This section is for prompts that suggest ways in which a passage can influence a person's life. Prompts may be appropriate either for private self reflection or for a class discussion. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Prompts for further study

This section is for prompts that invite us to think about a passage more deeply or in a new way. These are not necessarily questions that beg for answers, but rather prompts along the lines of "Have you ever thought about ..." Prompts are most helpful when they are developed individually, thoughtfully, and with enough background information to clearly indicate a particular direction for further study or thought. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Resources

This section is for listing links and print resources, including those that are also cited elsewhere on this page. A short comment about the particular strengths of a resource can be helpful. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Notes

Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves (such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word). In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources (such as Strong's Bible Concordance or the Joseph Smith Papers) are preferable to footnotes.




Previous page: Chapter 36                      Next page: Chapters 41b-47a

Gen 41:26-30

Home > The Old Testament > Genesis > Genesis 36-50 > Chapters 37-41a
Previous page: Chapter 36                      Next page: Chapters 41b-47a


This page would ideally always be under construction. You are invited to contribute.


Summary

This section should be very brief. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Chapters 37-41a recount Joseph's suffering and demonstration of his worthiness. The relationship of Chapters 37-41a to the rest of the Joseph cycle is discussed at Genesis 36-50. These chapters can be outlined as follows:

Discussion

This section is for detailed discussion such as the meaning of a symbol, how a doctrinal point is developed throughout a passage, or insights that can be further developed in the future. Contributions may range from polished paragraphs down to a single bullet point. The focus, however, should always be on understanding the scriptural text consistent with LDS doctrine. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 38: Judah contrasted with Joseph. Although this chapter seems to disrupt the story about Joseph from the previous chapter(s), the sets up a strong contrast between Judah and Joseph's behavior and attitudes toward sexual purity in the next chapter, viz. 39:7-12. The tension between Judah and Joseph climaxes in Gen 44.
  • Gen 38:2: Took. The combined phrases "Judah saw there a daughter" and "he took her" taken together seem to have an illicit connotation, suggesting a basis of lust rather than covenantal propriety. The fact that the wife's name isn't mentioned also seems to suggest this. Other usages of the word take with illicit overtones include: Gen 3:6, 6:2, 12:15, 34:2, and Judg 14:1-2. See Word Bible Dictionary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 (ISBN 0849902010).
  • Gen 38:9: Spilled it on the ground. The Hebrew wording suggests that Onan practiced coitus interruptus on each occassion, not just once. As the NIV renders it, "But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother."
  • Gen 38:11: Levirate marriage. Among ancient Israelites, Assyrians, and Hittites, as well as at Nuzi and Ugarit, there was a responsibility of marrying one's widowed sister-in-law (cf. Deut 25:5). Many scholars believe that there was an earlier, stricter stage of the law where the obligation was mandatory and ultimately rested with the father-in-law. (See WBD reference below.)
References: See Word Biblical Commentary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 * WBD: See Word Bible Dictionary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 (ISBN 0849902010) and the references mentioned therein, particularly Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions by R. de Vauz (translated by J. McHugh, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1961), pp. 37-8.
  • 'Gen 38:24: Penalty for adultery: Tamar seems to be technically betrothed to Shelah (though Judah does not seem interested in fulfilling his promise of having him marry her). It seems Judah could legitamately demand the death penalty (cf. Deut 22:23-24), though burning seems an extreme form of death (compared to stoning) reserved only for a priest's daughter in Deut 22:21. Ironically for Judah, the law also implicates the partner of the adulteress.

Unanswered questions

This section is for questions along the lines of "I still don't understand ..." Please do not be shy. The point of these questions is to identify things that still need to be addressed on this page. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 37:11: What is meant by "his father observed the saying"?

Prompts for life application

This section is for prompts that suggest ways in which a passage can influence a person's life. Prompts may be appropriate either for private self reflection or for a class discussion. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Prompts for further study

This section is for prompts that invite us to think about a passage more deeply or in a new way. These are not necessarily questions that beg for answers, but rather prompts along the lines of "Have you ever thought about ..." Prompts are most helpful when they are developed individually, thoughtfully, and with enough background information to clearly indicate a particular direction for further study or thought. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Resources

This section is for listing links and print resources, including those that are also cited elsewhere on this page. A short comment about the particular strengths of a resource can be helpful. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Notes

Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves (such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word). In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources (such as Strong's Bible Concordance or the Joseph Smith Papers) are preferable to footnotes.




Previous page: Chapter 36                      Next page: Chapters 41b-47a

Gen 41:31-35

Home > The Old Testament > Genesis > Genesis 36-50 > Chapters 37-41a
Previous page: Chapter 36                      Next page: Chapters 41b-47a


This page would ideally always be under construction. You are invited to contribute.


Summary

This section should be very brief. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Chapters 37-41a recount Joseph's suffering and demonstration of his worthiness. The relationship of Chapters 37-41a to the rest of the Joseph cycle is discussed at Genesis 36-50. These chapters can be outlined as follows:

Discussion

This section is for detailed discussion such as the meaning of a symbol, how a doctrinal point is developed throughout a passage, or insights that can be further developed in the future. Contributions may range from polished paragraphs down to a single bullet point. The focus, however, should always be on understanding the scriptural text consistent with LDS doctrine. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 38: Judah contrasted with Joseph. Although this chapter seems to disrupt the story about Joseph from the previous chapter(s), the sets up a strong contrast between Judah and Joseph's behavior and attitudes toward sexual purity in the next chapter, viz. 39:7-12. The tension between Judah and Joseph climaxes in Gen 44.
  • Gen 38:2: Took. The combined phrases "Judah saw there a daughter" and "he took her" taken together seem to have an illicit connotation, suggesting a basis of lust rather than covenantal propriety. The fact that the wife's name isn't mentioned also seems to suggest this. Other usages of the word take with illicit overtones include: Gen 3:6, 6:2, 12:15, 34:2, and Judg 14:1-2. See Word Bible Dictionary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 (ISBN 0849902010).
  • Gen 38:9: Spilled it on the ground. The Hebrew wording suggests that Onan practiced coitus interruptus on each occassion, not just once. As the NIV renders it, "But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother."
  • Gen 38:11: Levirate marriage. Among ancient Israelites, Assyrians, and Hittites, as well as at Nuzi and Ugarit, there was a responsibility of marrying one's widowed sister-in-law (cf. Deut 25:5). Many scholars believe that there was an earlier, stricter stage of the law where the obligation was mandatory and ultimately rested with the father-in-law. (See WBD reference below.)
References: See Word Biblical Commentary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 * WBD: See Word Bible Dictionary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 (ISBN 0849902010) and the references mentioned therein, particularly Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions by R. de Vauz (translated by J. McHugh, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1961), pp. 37-8.
  • 'Gen 38:24: Penalty for adultery: Tamar seems to be technically betrothed to Shelah (though Judah does not seem interested in fulfilling his promise of having him marry her). It seems Judah could legitamately demand the death penalty (cf. Deut 22:23-24), though burning seems an extreme form of death (compared to stoning) reserved only for a priest's daughter in Deut 22:21. Ironically for Judah, the law also implicates the partner of the adulteress.

Unanswered questions

This section is for questions along the lines of "I still don't understand ..." Please do not be shy. The point of these questions is to identify things that still need to be addressed on this page. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 37:11: What is meant by "his father observed the saying"?

Prompts for life application

This section is for prompts that suggest ways in which a passage can influence a person's life. Prompts may be appropriate either for private self reflection or for a class discussion. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Prompts for further study

This section is for prompts that invite us to think about a passage more deeply or in a new way. These are not necessarily questions that beg for answers, but rather prompts along the lines of "Have you ever thought about ..." Prompts are most helpful when they are developed individually, thoughtfully, and with enough background information to clearly indicate a particular direction for further study or thought. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Resources

This section is for listing links and print resources, including those that are also cited elsewhere on this page. A short comment about the particular strengths of a resource can be helpful. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Notes

Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves (such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word). In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources (such as Strong's Bible Concordance or the Joseph Smith Papers) are preferable to footnotes.




Previous page: Chapter 36                      Next page: Chapters 41b-47a

Gen 41:36-40

Home > The Old Testament > Genesis > Genesis 36-50 > Chapters 37-41a
Previous page: Chapter 36                      Next page: Chapters 41b-47a


This page would ideally always be under construction. You are invited to contribute.


Summary

This section should be very brief. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Chapters 37-41a recount Joseph's suffering and demonstration of his worthiness. The relationship of Chapters 37-41a to the rest of the Joseph cycle is discussed at Genesis 36-50. These chapters can be outlined as follows:

Discussion

This section is for detailed discussion such as the meaning of a symbol, how a doctrinal point is developed throughout a passage, or insights that can be further developed in the future. Contributions may range from polished paragraphs down to a single bullet point. The focus, however, should always be on understanding the scriptural text consistent with LDS doctrine. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 38: Judah contrasted with Joseph. Although this chapter seems to disrupt the story about Joseph from the previous chapter(s), the sets up a strong contrast between Judah and Joseph's behavior and attitudes toward sexual purity in the next chapter, viz. 39:7-12. The tension between Judah and Joseph climaxes in Gen 44.
  • Gen 38:2: Took. The combined phrases "Judah saw there a daughter" and "he took her" taken together seem to have an illicit connotation, suggesting a basis of lust rather than covenantal propriety. The fact that the wife's name isn't mentioned also seems to suggest this. Other usages of the word take with illicit overtones include: Gen 3:6, 6:2, 12:15, 34:2, and Judg 14:1-2. See Word Bible Dictionary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 (ISBN 0849902010).
  • Gen 38:9: Spilled it on the ground. The Hebrew wording suggests that Onan practiced coitus interruptus on each occassion, not just once. As the NIV renders it, "But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother."
  • Gen 38:11: Levirate marriage. Among ancient Israelites, Assyrians, and Hittites, as well as at Nuzi and Ugarit, there was a responsibility of marrying one's widowed sister-in-law (cf. Deut 25:5). Many scholars believe that there was an earlier, stricter stage of the law where the obligation was mandatory and ultimately rested with the father-in-law. (See WBD reference below.)
References: See Word Biblical Commentary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 * WBD: See Word Bible Dictionary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 (ISBN 0849902010) and the references mentioned therein, particularly Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions by R. de Vauz (translated by J. McHugh, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1961), pp. 37-8.
  • 'Gen 38:24: Penalty for adultery: Tamar seems to be technically betrothed to Shelah (though Judah does not seem interested in fulfilling his promise of having him marry her). It seems Judah could legitamately demand the death penalty (cf. Deut 22:23-24), though burning seems an extreme form of death (compared to stoning) reserved only for a priest's daughter in Deut 22:21. Ironically for Judah, the law also implicates the partner of the adulteress.

Unanswered questions

This section is for questions along the lines of "I still don't understand ..." Please do not be shy. The point of these questions is to identify things that still need to be addressed on this page. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 37:11: What is meant by "his father observed the saying"?

Prompts for life application

This section is for prompts that suggest ways in which a passage can influence a person's life. Prompts may be appropriate either for private self reflection or for a class discussion. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Prompts for further study

This section is for prompts that invite us to think about a passage more deeply or in a new way. These are not necessarily questions that beg for answers, but rather prompts along the lines of "Have you ever thought about ..." Prompts are most helpful when they are developed individually, thoughtfully, and with enough background information to clearly indicate a particular direction for further study or thought. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Resources

This section is for listing links and print resources, including those that are also cited elsewhere on this page. A short comment about the particular strengths of a resource can be helpful. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Notes

Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves (such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word). In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources (such as Strong's Bible Concordance or the Joseph Smith Papers) are preferable to footnotes.




Previous page: Chapter 36                      Next page: Chapters 41b-47a

Gen 41:41-45

Home > The Old Testament > Genesis > Genesis 36-50 > Chapters 37-41a
Previous page: Chapter 36                      Next page: Chapters 41b-47a


This page would ideally always be under construction. You are invited to contribute.


Summary

This section should be very brief. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Chapters 37-41a recount Joseph's suffering and demonstration of his worthiness. The relationship of Chapters 37-41a to the rest of the Joseph cycle is discussed at Genesis 36-50. These chapters can be outlined as follows:

Discussion

This section is for detailed discussion such as the meaning of a symbol, how a doctrinal point is developed throughout a passage, or insights that can be further developed in the future. Contributions may range from polished paragraphs down to a single bullet point. The focus, however, should always be on understanding the scriptural text consistent with LDS doctrine. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 38: Judah contrasted with Joseph. Although this chapter seems to disrupt the story about Joseph from the previous chapter(s), the sets up a strong contrast between Judah and Joseph's behavior and attitudes toward sexual purity in the next chapter, viz. 39:7-12. The tension between Judah and Joseph climaxes in Gen 44.
  • Gen 38:2: Took. The combined phrases "Judah saw there a daughter" and "he took her" taken together seem to have an illicit connotation, suggesting a basis of lust rather than covenantal propriety. The fact that the wife's name isn't mentioned also seems to suggest this. Other usages of the word take with illicit overtones include: Gen 3:6, 6:2, 12:15, 34:2, and Judg 14:1-2. See Word Bible Dictionary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 (ISBN 0849902010).
  • Gen 38:9: Spilled it on the ground. The Hebrew wording suggests that Onan practiced coitus interruptus on each occassion, not just once. As the NIV renders it, "But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother."
  • Gen 38:11: Levirate marriage. Among ancient Israelites, Assyrians, and Hittites, as well as at Nuzi and Ugarit, there was a responsibility of marrying one's widowed sister-in-law (cf. Deut 25:5). Many scholars believe that there was an earlier, stricter stage of the law where the obligation was mandatory and ultimately rested with the father-in-law. (See WBD reference below.)
References: See Word Biblical Commentary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 * WBD: See Word Bible Dictionary Volume 2 (Genesis 16-50) by Gordon J. Wenham, p. 366 (ISBN 0849902010) and the references mentioned therein, particularly Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions by R. de Vauz (translated by J. McHugh, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1961), pp. 37-8.
  • 'Gen 38:24: Penalty for adultery: Tamar seems to be technically betrothed to Shelah (though Judah does not seem interested in fulfilling his promise of having him marry her). It seems Judah could legitamately demand the death penalty (cf. Deut 22:23-24), though burning seems an extreme form of death (compared to stoning) reserved only for a priest's daughter in Deut 22:21. Ironically for Judah, the law also implicates the partner of the adulteress.

Unanswered questions

This section is for questions along the lines of "I still don't understand ..." Please do not be shy. The point of these questions is to identify things that still need to be addressed on this page. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 37:11: What is meant by "his father observed the saying"?

Prompts for life application

This section is for prompts that suggest ways in which a passage can influence a person's life. Prompts may be appropriate either for private self reflection or for a class discussion. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Prompts for further study

This section is for prompts that invite us to think about a passage more deeply or in a new way. These are not necessarily questions that beg for answers, but rather prompts along the lines of "Have you ever thought about ..." Prompts are most helpful when they are developed individually, thoughtfully, and with enough background information to clearly indicate a particular direction for further study or thought. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Resources

This section is for listing links and print resources, including those that are also cited elsewhere on this page. A short comment about the particular strengths of a resource can be helpful. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Notes

Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves (such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word). In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources (such as Strong's Bible Concordance or the Joseph Smith Papers) are preferable to footnotes.




Previous page: Chapter 36                      Next page: Chapters 41b-47a

Gen 41:46-50

Home > The Old Testament > Genesis > Genesis 36-50 > Chapters 41b-47a
Previous page: Chapters 37-41a                      Chapters 47b-50


This page would ideally always be under construction. You are invited to contribute.


Summary

This section should be very brief. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

The relationship of Chapters 41b-47a to the rest of the Joseph cycle is discussed at Genesis 36-50.

  • 41:46-57: Egyptians pay all their gold for grain in 1st year
  • 42:1-38: brothers pay for grain 1st year, Simeon unwilling hostage
  • 43:1-14: brothers return to Egypt with Benjamin in 2nd year
  • 43:15-34: brothers eat with Joseph
  • 44:1-17: Joseph’s cup in Benjamin’s sack, brothers agree to serve Joseph
  • 44:18-34: Judah a willing ransom, Joseph revealed
  • 45:1-28: Jacob’s family invited to Egypt
  • 46:1-47:12: Jacob’s family given resources in Egypt in 2nd year
  • 47:13-26: Egyptians pay herds, lands, and themselves for grain in 2nd year

Discussion

This section is for detailed discussion such as the meaning of a symbol, how a doctrinal point is developed throughout a passage, or insights that can be further developed in the future. Contributions may range from polished paragraphs down to a single bullet point. The focus, however, should always be on understanding the scriptural text consistent with LDS doctrine. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 43:32-34: Shepherds abominable. In Flavius Josephus's book, often given the title "Flavius Josephus against Apion" or "Antiquity of the Jews", Josephus makes some noteworthy remarks regarding Egyptian history. In seeking to prove that his people are very ancient, Josephus refers to the works of one of his antagonists, one Manetho, an Egyptian historian very notable for having been able to peruse Egypt's national histories and provide a glimpse of Egypt that the Greeks, the Romans, and others were incapable of offering. Josephus cites Manetho as recounting a tale of how certain Phoenician shepherds known as the Hycsos invaded the land of Egypt and caused great trouble for a time. While Josephus seeks to connect this group with his own people (and there are striking similarities) it is generally owned that these events were of greater antiquity even than Abraham, the Hycsos being finally expelled, per the footnotes in my copy of the Work of Josephus, about 37 years before Abraham left Haran. While, however, historians agree that the Hycsos can not possibly be the same group as the Israelites, the events do suggest a rather satisfying reason why the Egyptians might culturally consider the keeping of sheep to be an abomination and further, why the Israelites might so easily be made suspect on a national level, falling from the great favor they had from Joseph's service to the Pharaohs. (see: Josephus, Against Apion, 1.14)

Unanswered questions

This section is for questions along the lines of "I still don't understand ..." Please do not be shy. The point of these questions is to identify things that still need to be addressed on this page. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Prompts for life application

This section is for prompts that suggest ways in which a passage can influence a person's life. Prompts may be appropriate either for private self reflection or for a class discussion. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Prompts for further study

This section is for prompts that invite us to think about a passage more deeply or in a new way. These are not necessarily questions that beg for answers, but rather prompts along the lines of "Have you ever thought about ..." Prompts are most helpful when they are developed individually, thoughtfully, and with enough background information to clearly indicate a particular direction for further study or thought. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Resources

This section is for listing links and print resources, including those that are also cited elsewhere on this page. A short comment about the particular strengths of a resource can be helpful. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Notes

Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves (such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word). In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources (such as Strong's Bible Concordance or the Joseph Smith Papers) are preferable to footnotes.




Previous page: Chapters 37-41a                      Chapters 47b-50

Gen 41:51-57

Home > The Old Testament > Genesis > Genesis 36-50 > Chapters 41b-47a
Previous page: Chapters 37-41a                      Chapters 47b-50


This page would ideally always be under construction. You are invited to contribute.


Summary

This section should be very brief. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

The relationship of Chapters 41b-47a to the rest of the Joseph cycle is discussed at Genesis 36-50.

  • 41:46-57: Egyptians pay all their gold for grain in 1st year
  • 42:1-38: brothers pay for grain 1st year, Simeon unwilling hostage
  • 43:1-14: brothers return to Egypt with Benjamin in 2nd year
  • 43:15-34: brothers eat with Joseph
  • 44:1-17: Joseph’s cup in Benjamin’s sack, brothers agree to serve Joseph
  • 44:18-34: Judah a willing ransom, Joseph revealed
  • 45:1-28: Jacob’s family invited to Egypt
  • 46:1-47:12: Jacob’s family given resources in Egypt in 2nd year
  • 47:13-26: Egyptians pay herds, lands, and themselves for grain in 2nd year

Discussion

This section is for detailed discussion such as the meaning of a symbol, how a doctrinal point is developed throughout a passage, or insights that can be further developed in the future. Contributions may range from polished paragraphs down to a single bullet point. The focus, however, should always be on understanding the scriptural text consistent with LDS doctrine. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

  • Gen 43:32-34: Shepherds abominable. In Flavius Josephus's book, often given the title "Flavius Josephus against Apion" or "Antiquity of the Jews", Josephus makes some noteworthy remarks regarding Egyptian history. In seeking to prove that his people are very ancient, Josephus refers to the works of one of his antagonists, one Manetho, an Egyptian historian very notable for having been able to peruse Egypt's national histories and provide a glimpse of Egypt that the Greeks, the Romans, and others were incapable of offering. Josephus cites Manetho as recounting a tale of how certain Phoenician shepherds known as the Hycsos invaded the land of Egypt and caused great trouble for a time. While Josephus seeks to connect this group with his own people (and there are striking similarities) it is generally owned that these events were of greater antiquity even than Abraham, the Hycsos being finally expelled, per the footnotes in my copy of the Work of Josephus, about 37 years before Abraham left Haran. While, however, historians agree that the Hycsos can not possibly be the same group as the Israelites, the events do suggest a rather satisfying reason why the Egyptians might culturally consider the keeping of sheep to be an abomination and further, why the Israelites might so easily be made suspect on a national level, falling from the great favor they had from Joseph's service to the Pharaohs. (see: Josephus, Against Apion, 1.14)

Unanswered questions

This section is for questions along the lines of "I still don't understand ..." Please do not be shy. The point of these questions is to identify things that still need to be addressed on this page. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Prompts for life application

This section is for prompts that suggest ways in which a passage can influence a person's life. Prompts may be appropriate either for private self reflection or for a class discussion. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Prompts for further study

This section is for prompts that invite us to think about a passage more deeply or in a new way. These are not necessarily questions that beg for answers, but rather prompts along the lines of "Have you ever thought about ..." Prompts are most helpful when they are developed individually, thoughtfully, and with enough background information to clearly indicate a particular direction for further study or thought. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Resources

This section is for listing links and print resources, including those that are also cited elsewhere on this page. A short comment about the particular strengths of a resource can be helpful. Click the "edit" link to edit or add content to this section. →

Notes

Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves (such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word). In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources (such as Strong's Bible Concordance or the Joseph Smith Papers) are preferable to footnotes.




Previous page: Chapters 37-41a                      Chapters 47b-50