What Dreams Did Joseph Have That Caused Tension?
The story of Joseph in Genesis 37 centers around two extraordinary dreams God gave him in his youth. Far from being harmless visions, these dreams created serious conflict, deepened existing jealousy, and intensified family tension—ultimately contributing to Joseph’s betrayal and sale into slavery.
These dreams were prophetic, revealing God’s future plan for Joseph’s rise to authority. But to his family, they sounded like claims of dominance. Understanding these dreams helps explain why Joseph became the target of such intense hatred.
1. Background: A Family Already Filled With Tension
Before Joseph ever received his dreams, his family relationship was already strained:
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Jacob showed open favoritism to Joseph.
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Joseph brought bad reports about his brothers.
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The coat of many colors marked him as the favored son.
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His brothers already envied and resented him.
Into this fragile environment came two dreams—dreams that seemed to place Joseph far above everyone else.
These dreams did not create jealousy; they multiplied it.
2. Joseph’s First Dream: The Sheaves in the Field
The Dream (Genesis 37:5–7)
Joseph told his brothers:
They were binding sheaves in a field. Suddenly Joseph’s sheaf stood upright while their sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to his.
Meaning of the dream:
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Joseph would one day be elevated above his brothers.
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His brothers would be subordinate to him.
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The dream pointed toward Joseph’s future authority in Egypt.
Why this dream caused tension:
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The brothers immediately understood the symbolic message.
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They were already jealous of Joseph; now they felt threatened.
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They believed Joseph was claiming that he would rule over them.
Their response in Genesis 37:8 reveals their anger:
“Will you indeed reign over us?”
“Will you actually have dominion over us?”
Scripture says after this dream:
“They hated him even more because of his dreams and his words.”
The dream struck directly at their pride and sense of family hierarchy.
3. Joseph’s Second Dream: The Sun, Moon, and Eleven Stars
The Dream (Genesis 37:9–10)
Joseph dreamed that:
The sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowed down to him.
Symbolism:
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Sun → Jacob, his father
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Moon → Rachel (or Leah, symbolically, since Rachel had likely died)
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Eleven stars → Joseph’s eleven brothers
This dream elevated Joseph even higher than the first—it implied he would receive honor not only from his brothers, but from his parents as well.
Why this dream intensified conflict even further:
1. It included the whole family, not just the brothers.
Even Jacob, who loved Joseph deeply, rebuked him:
“Shall I and your mother and brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?”
2. The dream sounded outrageous.
The idea that the youngest, most favored son would rule even his parents sounded impossible and arrogant.
3. It made the brothers furious.
The thought of bowing to Joseph felt insulting and humiliating.
4. The dreams confirmed Joseph’s unique destiny.
The brothers feared that Joseph really might become their superior.
Genesis 37:11 summarizes the effect:
“His brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.”
Jealousy boiled in the brothers’ hearts, while Jacob quietly wondered if God was revealing something significant.
4. Why Joseph’s Dreams Were So Provocative
The dreams created tension for several reasons:
1. They came from the least-expected person.
Joseph was young—17 years old—and not the firstborn. In their culture, leadership belonged to the oldest son, not the youngest favored child.
2. They challenged the family hierarchy.
The dreams suggested a dramatic reversal: Joseph would rise above all of them.
3. Joseph shared the dreams openly.
Even if done innocently, telling the dreams made Joseph look boastful.
4. The dreams aligned with Jacob’s favoritism.
The brothers feared that Jacob might try to make Joseph the heir.
5. The dreams seemed to confirm Joseph’s authority.
Together with the coat, they implied Joseph’s future leadership.
To the brothers, these dreams felt like a threat—not just spiritually or emotionally, but socially and economically.
5. The Dreams as a Turning Point in Joseph’s Life
These two dreams marked the beginning of the events that would shape Joseph’s destiny.
Because of the dreams:
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The brothers hated him “even more.”
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Their jealousy turned into hostility.
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Their hostility turned into a plan to kill him.
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This plan ultimately led to Joseph’s being sold into slavery.
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In Egypt, Joseph eventually rose to power—fulfilling the dreams.
What seemed at first like mere youthful visions became the divine roadmap leading Joseph to save his family during famine.
Conclusion
Joseph had two prophetic dreams that caused deep tension within his family:
1. The Sheaves Dream
His brothers’ sheaves bowed to his—symbolizing his future authority over them.
2. The Sun, Moon, and Stars Dream
His whole family bowed to him—symbolizing his rise to a position of global influence.
These dreams did not create the brothers’ hatred, but they intensified it dramatically. They struck at their pride, fueled their jealousy, and set in motion the events that would send Joseph to Egypt. Yet God used these very dreams to guide Joseph’s path and ultimately preserve the nation of Israel.