Why Did Joseph’s Brothers Plan to Kill Him?
The plot to kill Joseph is one of the most pivotal and tragic moments in the book of Genesis. Understanding why Joseph’s brothers contemplated murder helps reveal the deep dysfunction within Jacob’s family and sets the stage for God’s larger redemptive work. Multiple layers of emotional, relational, and spiritual tension converged to create a moment of explosive hostility.
1. Jacob’s Favoritism Set the Stage for Resentment
The most fundamental cause was Jacob’s clear favoritism toward Joseph. Scripture emphasizes that Jacob “loved Joseph more than all his children” because he was the son of his old age and the firstborn of his beloved wife, Rachel.
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This preference was not hidden; it was boldly displayed when Jacob gave Joseph the coat of many colors.
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To the brothers, the coat symbolized special status—a sign of leadership, authority, and affection they did not receive.
Favoritism fractured the family, creating bitterness that simmered beneath the surface. Joseph’s brothers felt overshadowed, undervalued, and disrespected.
2. Joseph’s Dreams Intensified Their Jealousy
Joseph’s prophetic dreams added fuel to an already burning fire. In two dreams, Joseph saw imagery suggesting that:
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His brothers would bow down before him.
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Even his father and mother would show submission.
While the dreams were revelations from God, Joseph’s brothers viewed them as arrogance.
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The dreams made them fear that Joseph might eventually rule over them.
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Instead of seeing God’s message, they saw threats to their own position.
The dreams not only angered the brothers; they humiliated them. They felt Joseph was elevating himself above them, and their jealousy became overwhelming.
3. Joseph’s Honest Reports Were Perceived as Betrayal
The Bible notes that Joseph brought “a bad report” of his brothers to their father. This does not imply malicious intent, but instead Joseph’s integrity in reporting wrongdoing.
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However, the brothers interpreted this as spying, meddling, or aligning himself with Jacob against them.
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Joseph’s honesty highlighted their own failures—and they resented him for it.
To them, Joseph was a threat not only to their pride but to their reputation and inheritance.
4. The Brothers Lacked Spiritual Maturity and Self-Control
The family of Jacob had long struggled with:
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Sibling rivalry
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Deception
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Competition
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Favoritism
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Emotional impulsiveness
Joseph’s brothers inherited these patterns. Feeling unloved by their father and provoked by Joseph’s dreams, they allowed their emotions to dominate their actions.
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Their anger grew unchecked.
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Their jealousy turned into hatred.
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Hatred escalated to the desire for violence.
Spiritual immaturity made them vulnerable to acting on their darkest impulses.
5. The Opportunity for Violence Presented Itself
When Joseph approached his brothers in the fields near Dothan, the moment felt ideal.
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They were far from their father, outside the protection and accountability of home.
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They saw Joseph coming alone, easily recognized by his distinctive coat.
In that moment, years of resentment erupted. The brothers said, “Here comes the dreamer,” revealing their deepest issue—not Joseph’s actions but their hatred of the destiny God had given him.
Their plan to kill him was the culmination of:
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jealousy,
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insecurity,
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anger,
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and spiritual blindness.
6. They Wanted to Destroy the Dreams, Not Just the Dreamer
The brothers’ intent went deeper than killing Joseph—they wanted to destroy the future he represented.
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By killing him, they hoped to end any possibility that his dreams could come true.
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Their hatred was ultimately directed against God’s plan, though they did not consciously understand this.
Their statement—“We will see what becomes of his dreams”—reveals that they were resisting the sovereignty of God Himself.
Conclusion: The Desire to Kill Joseph Was a Symptom of a Broken Family
Joseph’s brothers planned to kill him because of a powerful mixture of:
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Favoritism that bred insecurity
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Prophetic dreams that created fear of losing power
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Jealousy that consumed their hearts
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Hatred nurtured over years
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Lack of spiritual insight into God’s purpose
Their decision was tragic and sinful, yet God would later turn it into the beginning of His plan to save their family and entire nations.