Genesis 37:31

31 Then they took Joseph’s coat and killed a kid of the goats and dipped the coat in the blood;

Genesis 37:31 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 37:31

And they took Joseph's coat
After they had told Reuben what they had done with him, who being willing to make the best of things as it was, joined with them in the following scheme: by this it appears, that when they took Joseph out of the pit they did not put his coat on him, but sold him naked, or almost so, to the merchants: and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;
that being, as the Targum of Jonathan and Jarchi observe, most like to human blood.

Genesis 37:31 In-Context

29 And Reuben returned unto the cistern; and, behold, Joseph was not inside, and he rent his clothes.

30 And he returned unto his brethren and said, The young man is not; and I, where shall I go?

31 Then they took Joseph’s coat and killed a kid of the goats and dipped the coat in the blood;

32 and they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father and said, We have found this, recognize now whether it is thy son’s coat or not.

33 And he knew it and said, It is my son’s coat; an evil beast has devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.