The Hatred of the Brethren

‎Even Jacob did not realize how bitter had grown the dislike and resentment of his older sons toward Joseph. Hence, the father himself placed in their hands the opportunity and temptation to rid themselves of this new “supplanter.” The ten older brothers were feeding the flocks far to the northward in the land they had seized from the Shechemites; and Jacob bade Joseph “see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again.”

‎So Joseph set forth. Reaching Shechem, he was directed still farther north to a field called Dothan, a fair open plain which men point out even to this day as the scene of the brethren’s treachery. “And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.” In the picture, he approaches them in innocent serenity, wondering perchance at their lack of welcome. They cluster darkly around Reuben, the eldest, and whisper of their plot. Their secret jealousy was made evident in their sneering words to one another: “And we shall see what will become of his dreams.”