Translation: They said: "O our father! We went racing with one
another, 1649 and left Joseph with our things; and
the wolf devoured him But you wilt never believe
us even though we tell the truth." 1650
Commentary:
1649 They wanted to make out that they were not negligent of Joseph. They were
naturally having games and exercise, while the boy was left with their belongings. It
was the racing that prevented them from seeing the wolf. And Jacob's fears about
the wolf ( 12:13 above) made them imagine that he would swallow the wolf story
readily.
1650 They were surprised that Jacob received the story about the wolf with cold
incredulity. So they grew petulant, put on an air of injured innocence, and brought
out the blood-stained garment described in the next verse.
1649 They wanted to make out that they were not negligent of Joseph. They were naturally having games and exercise, while the boy was left with their belongings. It was the racing that prevented them from seeing the wolf. And Jacob's fears about the wolf ( 12:13 above) made them imagine that he would swallow the wolf story readily.
1650 They were surprised that Jacob received the story about the wolf with cold incredulity. So they grew petulant, put on an air of injured innocence, and brought out the blood-stained garment described in the next verse.