The Meaning of Genesis 37:34 Explained

Genesis 37:34

KJV: And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.

YLT: And Jacob rendeth his raiment, and putteth sackcloth on his loins, and becometh a mourner for his son many days,

Darby: And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth on his loins, and mourned for his son many days.

ASV: And Jacob rent his garments, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And Jacob  rent  his clothes,  and put  sackcloth  upon his loins,  and mourned  for his son  many  days. 

What does Genesis 37:34 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 37:34 mean?

and tore Jacob his clothes and put sackcloth on his waist and mourned for his son days many
וַיִּקְרַ֤ע יַעֲקֹב֙ שִׂמְלֹתָ֔יו וַיָּ֥שֶׂם שַׂ֖ק בְּמָתְנָ֑יו וַיִּתְאַבֵּ֥ל עַל־ בְּנ֖וֹ יָמִ֥ים רַבִּֽים

וַיִּקְרַ֤ע  and  tore 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: קָרַע  
Sense: to tear, tear in pieces.
יַעֲקֹב֙  Jacob 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יַעֲקֹב  
Sense: son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 2 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel.
שִׂמְלֹתָ֔יו  his  clothes 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: שִׂמְלָה  
Sense: wrapper, mantle, covering garment, garments, clothes, raiment, a cloth.
וַיָּ֥שֶׂם  and  put 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שׂוּמָה 
Sense: to put, place, set, appoint, make.
שַׂ֖ק  sackcloth 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שַׂק  
Sense: mesh, sackcloth, sack, sacking.
בְּמָתְנָ֑יו  on  his  waist 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, mdc, third person masculine singular
Root: מָתְנַיִם  
Sense: loins, hips.
וַיִּתְאַבֵּ֥ל  and  mourned 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hitpael, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָבַל 
Sense: to mourn, lament.
בְּנ֖וֹ  his  son 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
יָמִ֥ים  days 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
רַבִּֽים  many 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: רַב 
Sense: much, many, great.