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Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE)
Form One

Activity 4.10

Use library and internet sources, then outline the reasons that led Joseph to be hated
by his brothers.

Effects of jealous and hatred
Joseph’s brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. One day, Jacob
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sent his son Joseph to Shechem to check on his brothers who were tending the flock.
On his way, Joseph learnt that his brothers had moved to Dothan. So, he kept moving
towards Dothan. As Joseph approached Dothan, his brothers saw him and said, “Here
comes the dreamer, come now let us kill him” (Genesis 37:19).

Reuben advised his brothers not to shed Joseph’s blood but throw him into a pit
intending to later rescue him secretly. Therefore, when Joseph reached them, they
took of his coat of many colours and threw him into a dry pit. Figure 4.15 portrays
Joseph thrown in a dry pit.

Figure 4.15: Joseph thrown into the waterless well

When Reuben went away, his other brothers saw the Ishmaelites coming from Gilead
with their camels carrying balm and myrrh. They were travelling to Egypt. Judah
suggested that they should sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites, and they did so. They sold
him for twenty (20) pieces of silver. On coming back, Reuben was very sad and tore
his clothes. The brothers then killed a goat, dipped the coat into its blood and took
it to their father and said, “This is what we have found, see now whether it is your
son’s or not” (Genesis 37:33). Jacob saw his son’s coat with blood and believed that
he had been killed by wild animals. Jacob said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my
son, mourning” (Genesis 37:35). Jacob mourned for his son for many days. All his

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