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Old Testament · Genesis 37:1-36

Joseph and His Brothers

Joseph’s brothers resent him because Jacob favors him and because of Joseph’s dreams. They plot to kill him, but Reuben persuades them to put him in a pit. Judah proposes selling Joseph, and the brothers sell him to passing Ishmaelites. The brothers deceive Jacob with Joseph’s bloodstained garment, while Joseph is taken to Egypt. There, the Midianites sell him to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. The passage ends without describing later outcomes or explicitly explaining God’s purpose.

Coloring pages: 7Age/complexity: Explore (ages 3–5) · Imagine (ages 6–8) · Discover (ages 9–12)

Lesson resource collection

Color the story, one scene at a time.

Choose individual pages for your group, or print a coordinated story sheet when one is available.

Print Joseph and His Brothers: 4-Scene Story Sheet

Jacob presents Joseph with a distinctive long garment while Joseph’s brothers stand nearby with unhappy expressions, illustrating favoritism and family tension from Genesis 37:1–4.

Joseph Receives a Special Garment

Genesis 37:1-36

Joseph tells his brothers about dreams involving bowing sheaves and stars while Jacob responds thoughtfully.

Joseph Shares His Dreams

Genesis 37:1-36

Joseph walking along a countryside path toward Dothan after an unnamed man directs him while he searches for his brothers and their flock.

Joseph Travels to Find His Brothers

Genesis 37:1-36

Joseph in an empty pit with his brothers above him, Reuben gesturing for restraint, and Joseph’s garment outside the pit.

Joseph Is Placed in the Empty Pit

Genesis 37:1-36

Joseph is led away against his will as his brothers stand beside a pit and a caravan of Ishmaelites travels toward Egypt.

Joseph Is Sold to Passing Traders

Genesis 37:1-36

Jacob receives Joseph’s garment from his brothers and mourns, with a small goat nearby to represent the deception.

Jacob Mourns Over Joseph’s Garment

Genesis 37:1-36

Illustration concept of Joseph arriving in Egypt as Midianites sell him to Potiphar near a simple Egyptian household entrance.

Joseph Arrives in Egypt

Genesis 37:1-36

Scripture reference

Genesis 37:1-36

Use this reference as you prepare and read the account with your class.

Talk together

A thoughtful question