Why Did Joseph’s Brothers Hate Him?
The story of Joseph in Genesis 37 opens with a family filled with tension, favoritism, jealousy, and competing expectations. Joseph’s brothers did not hate him for a single reason—rather, their hatred grew from several interconnected issues. These reasons gradually intensified, eventually driving them to betray him.
Understanding these causes helps us see how broken relationships, jealousy, and favoritism can lead to destructive choices.
1. Jacob’s Open Favoritism Toward Joseph
The most foundational reason for their hatred was their father’s visible favoritism:
“Israel loved Joseph more than all his children…” (Genesis 37:3)
How this favoritism showed:
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Joseph was the son of Jacob’s beloved wife, Rachel.
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He was born to Jacob in his old age.
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Jacob gave Joseph the coat of many colors, a symbol of honor and leadership.
Why this created hatred:
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The other brothers felt undervalued and pushed aside.
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They saw Joseph receiving special treatment while they worked harder and received less attention.
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The coat served as a public declaration that Joseph held a unique position above them.
This favoritism planted the seeds of resentment and insecurity in the family.
2. Joseph’s Bad Reports About His Brothers
Genesis 37:2 tells us that Joseph brought “bad reports” to Jacob about his brothers.
What this likely meant:
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Joseph informed Jacob when the brothers behaved irresponsibly or sinfully.
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This made Joseph look like a tattletale or informer in their eyes.
Why this increased hatred:
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They saw him as someone who exposed their faults.
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His actions affected their reputation before their father.
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They feared he was becoming Jacob’s eyes and ears—another reason to dislike him.
To them, Joseph seemed like a younger sibling who enjoyed highlighting their mistakes.
3. The Coat of Many Colors Deepened Their Resentment
When Jacob gave Joseph the special coat, the brothers’ emotions intensified:
“When his brothers saw that their father loved him more… they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.” (Genesis 37:4)
Symbolism of the coat:
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It resembled clothing worn by princes or overseers.
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It set Joseph apart as someone destined for leadership.
Why it mattered:
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The coat was a physical reminder of their father’s bias.
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It publicly marked Joseph as the chosen one.
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Every time Joseph wore it, the hatred deepened.
The coat turned their silent jealousy into open hostility.
4. Joseph’s Dreams Made Them Feel Threatened
Joseph had two dreams, both suggesting that he would one day rule over his family (Genesis 37:5–10).
Dream 1: Their grain bundles bowed to Joseph’s bundle.
Dream 2: The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed to him.
Why these dreams caused more hatred:
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They interpreted them as claims to authority.
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The brothers thought Joseph was boasting about becoming their ruler.
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Instead of humility, they perceived arrogance.
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They were shocked that both they and their parents might bow to him.
The Bible says:
“They hated him even more because of his dreams and his words.” (Genesis 37:8)
The dreams turned jealousy into fear and rage—fear that Joseph truly might surpass them.
5. Joseph’s Honesty and Innocence Annoyed Them
Joseph appears as a sincere, obedient, and morally upright young man. These qualities, instead of winning admiration, only aggravated his brothers.
Possible reasons:
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His good character highlighted their flaws.
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His closeness to Jacob made them feel excluded.
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His innocence made him seem naïve and irritating to them.
While Joseph did nothing sinful, his purity clashed with their bitterness and hardened attitudes.
6. Their Own Hearts Were Already Filled with Sins of Jealousy
Ultimately, their hatred sprang from their own internal sinful emotions.
The brothers struggled with:
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Jealousy — wanting Joseph’s position.
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Insecurity — feeling unloved by their father.
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Pride — refusing to imagine Joseph could be greater.
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Anger — built up from years of perceived unfairness.
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Bitterness — never dealing with their hurt feelings.
These emotions blinded them to the value of their relationship with Joseph.
7. Their Family Background Added to the Conflict
Jacob’s household was full of tension long before Joseph was born:
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Multiple mothers (Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, Zilpah)
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Competition for love and status
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Rivalries between the mothers
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Children raised in an environment of comparison
Joseph became the focus of problems that existed for decades. The brothers’ hatred was the fruit of a broken family system.
Conclusion
Joseph’s brothers hated him for many intertwined reasons:
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Jacob’s favoritism
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Joseph’s reports about them
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The special coat
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Joseph’s dreams of leadership
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His innocence and closeness to their father
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Their own jealousy and pride
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A long history of family rivalry
Their hatred did not arise suddenly—it built slowly, fueled by unresolved emotions and a dysfunctional family environment. Yet even through this hatred, God worked out His plan, eventually using Joseph’s suffering to preserve His people during famine.