SEV Biblia, Chapter 37:4
Y viendo sus hermanos que su padre lo amaba más que a todos sus hermanos, le aborrecían, y no le podían hablar pacíficamente.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:4
Verse 4. And could not speak peaceably unto him.] Does not this imply, in our use of the term, that they were continually quarrelling with him? but this is no meaning of the original: µlŤl wrbd wlky alw velo yachelu dabbero leshalom, they could not speak peace to him, i. e., they would not accost him in a friendly manner. They would not even wish him well. The eastern method of salutation is, Peace be to thee! űl µwlŤ shalom lecha, among the Hebrews, and salam, peace, or salam kebibi, peace to thee my friend, among the Arabs. Now as peace among those nations comprehends all kinds of blessings spiritual and temporal, so they are careful not to say it to those whom they do not cordially wish well. It is not an unusual thing for an Arab or a Turk to hesitate to return the salam, if given by a Christian, or by one of whom he has not a favourable opinion: and this, in their own country, may be ever considered as a mark of hostility; not only as a proof that they do not wish you well, but that if they have an opportunity they will do you an injury. This was precisely the case with respect to Joseph's brethren: they would not give him the salam, and therefore felt themselves at liberty to take the first opportunity to injure him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-4 - In Joseph's history we see something of Christ, who was first humble and then exalted. It also shows the lot of Christians, who must throug many tribulations enter into the kingdom. It is a history that has non like it, for displaying the various workings of the human mind, bot good and bad, and the singular providence of God in making use of the for fulfilling his purposes. Though Joseph was his father's darling yet he was not bred up in idleness. Those do not truly love their children, who do not use them to business, and labour, and hardships The fondling of children is with good reason called the spoiling of them. Those who are trained up to do nothing, are likely to be good for nothing. But Jacob made known his love, by dressing Joseph finer tha the rest of his children. It is wrong for parents to make a differenc between one child and another, unless there is great cause for it, by the children's dutifulness, or undutifulness. When parents make difference, children soon notice it, and it leads to quarrels in families. Jacob's sons did that, when they were from under his eye which they durst not have done at home with him; but Joseph gave his father an account of their ill conduct, that he might restrain them Not as a tale-bearer, to sow discord, but as a faithful brother.
Original Hebrew
ויראו 7200 אחיו 251 כי 3588 אתו 853 אהב 157 אביהם 1 מכל 3605 אחיו 251 וישׂנאו 8130 אתו 853 ולא 3808 יכלו 3201 דברו 1696 לשׁלם׃ 7965
