How Did Joseph’s Brothers Mislead Jacob About His Fate?
The deception of Jacob concerning Joseph’s fate is one of the most heartbreaking moments in Genesis. Joseph’s brothers not only betrayed their younger brother but also intentionally constructed a lie designed to inflict deep emotional pain on their father. Their actions reveal the destructive power of jealousy, guilt, and secrecy—and become a turning point in the family’s story.
In Genesis 37, the brothers’ deceit unfolds in a calculated and multi-step scheme. It was deliberate, cruel, and sustained for many years. Below is an in-depth examination of how they misled Jacob and the significance of their actions.
1. The Brothers Created a Deceptive Cover Story
The brothers knew they needed to hide their crime—selling Joseph into slavery. Instead of confessing or simply remaining silent, they crafted a false narrative that would mislead Jacob and divert suspicion.
1.1 They killed a goat
After selling Joseph to Ishmaelite traders, the brothers slaughtered a goat—an act that foreshadows later biblical sacrificial themes but here is used for deception.
The goat’s blood became the central piece of false evidence.
1.2 They dipped Joseph’s coat in blood
Joseph’s special multi-colored coat—given by Jacob as a sign of favor—was the perfect tool for misdirection.
By covering it in blood, the brothers ensured:
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The coat would appear violently damaged
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Jacob would draw the “obvious” conclusion without them saying it
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They would avoid directly lying with their words while still presenting a false story
This was deception through suggestion, not explicit speech.
2. They Presented the Blood-Stained Coat to Jacob
The next step was to bring the “evidence” to Jacob.
2.1 They deliberately avoided telling Jacob directly
Instead of making a clear statement, they asked Jacob to interpret the coat himself:
“We found this; examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.”
(Genesis 37:32)
This was calculated.
By avoiding a direct lie:
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They protected themselves from guilt in speech
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They made Jacob believe the lie on his own
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The deception gained emotional force because it seemed confirmed by evidence
Yet their silence was just as sinful as spoken deception.
2.2 Jacob concluded that Joseph had been killed
Brokenhearted, Jacob responded immediately:
“A wild beast has devoured him.”
(Genesis 37:33)
The brothers allowed Jacob’s conclusion to stand unchallenged, knowing it was false.
This was deception at its most manipulative—letting someone believe a lie you engineered.
3. They Watched Jacob Grieve Without Confessing
The most painful aspect of the deception was not just the initial lie, but the long-term refusal to correct it.
3.1 Jacob tore his clothes and mourned deeply
The text describes:
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Tearing garments (a sign of anguish)
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Wearing sackcloth
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Mourning for many days
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Refusing comfort from his other children
Jacob believed Joseph was dead for over 20 years, and his sorrow never fully healed.
3.2 The brothers let their father suffer
This reveals:
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Their hardened hearts
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Their willingness to let guilt remain buried
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The severity of the family brokenness
The silence they maintained for decades was part of the deception.
4. Their Deception Had Long-Term Consequences
The lie they constructed had an impact far deeper than they anticipated.
4.1 Jacob’s grief reshaped the family
Jacob’s sorrow:
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Influenced decisions about Benjamin
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Created fear and overprotection
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Fostered guilt within the brothers
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Disrupted family unity
The deception created emotional wounds that would last until Joseph was found alive in Egypt.
4.2 The brothers carried the burden of guilt
Years later, when trouble arose in Egypt, they immediately connected their suffering to their past sin:
“Surely we are being punished because of our brother.”
(Genesis 42:21)
The deception haunted them psychologically.
4.3 The lie set the stage for God’s larger plan
While the brothers intended evil:
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Their deception sent Joseph into Egypt
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Joseph’s rise to power preserved nations during famine
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The family of Israel was saved
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God’s covenant promises continued
Human wrongdoing became a tool in God’s redemptive plan.
5. Why the Deception Was So Devastating
The brothers’ lie was especially cruel because it:
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Manipulated a father’s love
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Exploited the emotional symbol of Joseph’s coat
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Inflicted lasting grief
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Hid the truth for decades
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Constructed a false narrative that shaped the family’s future
Their act demonstrates the destructive nature of sin:
one lie can fracture relationships for years.
Conclusion
Joseph’s brothers misled Jacob through a carefully constructed and emotionally devastating deception. By using Joseph’s blood-stained coat and remaining silent, they allowed their father to believe his beloved son had died violently. This lie caused decades of grief, strained family relationships, and left the brothers with enduring guilt.
Yet even this dark chapter became part of God’s redemptive plan. What the brothers meant for evil, God transformed for good—ultimately bringing healing, restoration, and the preservation of His covenant people.
How did Joseph’s story show that God can turn evil for good?