These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil {b} report.

(b) He complained of the evil words and injuries which they spoke and did to him.

Wesley's Notes

37:2 These are the generations of Jacob - It is not a barren genealogy, as those of Esau, but a memorable useful history. Joseph brought to his father their evil report - Jacob's sons did that when they were from under his eye, which they durst not have done if they had been at home with him; but Joseph gave his father an account of their ill carriage, that he might reprove and restrain them.

Scofield Reference Notes

[2] Joseph

While it is nowhere asserted that Joseph was a type of Christ, the analogies are too numerous to be accidental. They are:

(1) both were especial objects of a father's love Gen 37:3 Mt 3:17 Jn 3:35 5:20.

(2) both were hated by their brethren Gen 37:4 Jn 15:25.

(3) the superior claims of both were rejected by their brethren Gen 37:8 Mt 21:37-39 Jn 15:24,25.

(4) the brethren of both conspired against them to slay them Gen 37:18 Mt 26:3,4.

(5) Joseph was, in intent and figure, slain by his brethren, as was Christ Gen 37:24 Mt 27:35-37.

(6) each became a blessing among the Gentiles, and gained a Gentile bride Gen 41:1-45 Acts 15:14 Eph 5:25-32.

(7) as Joseph reconciled his brethren to himself, and afterward exalted them, Song will it be with Christ and His Jewish brethren Gen 45:1-15 Dt 30:1-10 Hos 2:14-18 Rom 11:1,15,25,26.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

2. generations-leading occurrences, in the domestic history of Jacob, as shown in the narrative about to be commenced.

Joseph . was feeding the flock-literally, "Joseph being seventeen years old was a shepherd over the flock"-he a lad, with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah. Oversight or superintendence is evidently implied. This post of chief shepherd in the party might be assigned him either from his being the son of a principal wife or from his own superior qualities of character; and if invested with this office, he acted not as a gossiping telltale, but as a "faithful steward" in reporting the scandalous conduct of his brethren.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

37:1-4 In Joseph's history we see something of Christ, who was first humbled and then exalted. It also shows the lot of Christians, who must through many tribulations enter into the kingdom. It is a history that has none like it, for displaying the various workings of the human mind, both good and bad, and the singular providence of God in making use of them 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 than the rest of his children. It is wrong for parents to make a difference between one child and another, unless there is great cause for it, by the children's dutifulness, or undutifulness. When parents make a 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.