These are the generations of Jacob— i.e.. These are the things which befel Jacob, the transactions of him and his family. As nothing is here said of genealogy, or beget-ting children, it is plain that the original word here, as in some other passages of Scripture, should be rendered the history. Two reasons are generally assigned, why Moses is more full in relating the adventures of Joseph, than of any other of Jacob's children. The one, because his life is a bright example of piety, chastity, meekness, and prudence: the other, because it was by the means of Joseph that Jacob went down into AEgypt. And as his going down gave occasion to the wonderful departure of the children of Israel thence, so the history of the Jews would have been imperfect, and indeed altogether unintelligible, without a longer account than ordinary of Joseph's life and transactions there.
Was with the sons of Bilhah, &c.— Hence it is plain, that the sons of Jacob fed their flocks separately; the sons of Leah were not with those of the concubines: this remark may be of use in the conclusion of the chapter. There were three great sources of hatred and envy towards Joseph, from his brethren; the first, springing from his superior piety and virtue, his disapprobation of their evil conduct, and his acquainting his father with it; the second, from his father's partial love to him; and the third, from his dreams.