The Meaning of Genesis 37:33 Explained

Genesis 37:33

KJV: And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.

YLT: And he discerneth it, and saith, 'My son's coat! an evil beast hath devoured him; torn -- torn is Joseph!'

Darby: And he discerned it, and said, It is my son's vest! an evil beast has devoured him: Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces!

ASV: And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat: an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt torn in pieces.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And he knew it,  and said,  [It is] my son's  coat;  an evil  beast  hath devoured  him; Joseph  is without doubt  rent in pieces. 

What does Genesis 37:33 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 37:25-36 - Joseph Sold Into Egypt
It was not chance, but providence, that brought these Midianites to the pit at that hour. They had, of course, fixed their time of departure from their native land, the speed at which their camels were to travel, and the amount of time which they would spend at the fairs and markets en route, quite irrespectively of all other considerations but their own profit and convenience; yet quite unconsciously they were moving according to a divine timetable. Everything in life is directed, superintended and controlled by a divine forethought. Let us live in constant recognition of this! You may be in a pit of dark misery, but God knows that you are there, and times the moments. Only continue to trust and do not be afraid! Blessed are they that believe, to them there shall be a performance. Months ago a caravan started, which will arrive at the precise hour when intervention will best serve you. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 37

1  Joseph is loved by Jacob, but hated by his brothers
5  His dreams and the interpretation
12  Jacob sends him to his brothers, who counsel to slay him
21  At Reuben's desire they cast him into a pit;
25  and afterwards sell him to the Ishmaelites;
29  while Ruben grieves at not finding him
31  His coat, covered with blood, is sent to Jacob, who mourns him inordinately
36  Joseph is brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar

What do the individual words in Genesis 37:33 mean?

And he recognized it and said the robe of my son a beast wild has devoured him without doubt is torn to pieces Joseph
וַיַּכִּירָ֤הּ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ כְּתֹ֣נֶת בְּנִ֔י חַיָּ֥ה רָעָ֖ה ! אֲכָלָ֑תְהוּ טָרֹ֥ף טֹרַ֖ף ! יוֹסֵֽף

וַיַּכִּירָ֤הּ  And  he  recognized  it 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person feminine singular
Root: נָכַר 
Sense: to recognise, acknowledge, know, respect, discern, regard.
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙  and  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
כְּתֹ֣נֶת  the  robe 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: כֻּתֹּנֶת  
Sense: tunic, under-garment.
בְּנִ֔י  of  my  son 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
חַיָּ֥ה  a  beast 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: חַי 
Sense: living, alive.
רָעָ֖ה  wild 
Parse: Adjective, feminine singular
Root: רַע 
Sense: bad, evil.
! אֲכָלָ֑תְהוּ  has  devoured  him 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person feminine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: אָכַל  
Sense: to eat, devour, burn up, feed.
טָרֹ֥ף  without  doubt 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Infinitive absolute
Root: טָרַף  
Sense: to tear, rend, pluck.
טֹרַ֖ף  is  torn  to  pieces 
Parse: Verb, QalPass, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: טָרַף  
Sense: to tear, rend, pluck.
! יוֹסֵֽף  Joseph 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יׄוסֵף  
Sense: the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel.