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 report.
Generations х tolªdowt (H8435)] - leading occurrences in the domestic history of Jacob, as shown in the narrative about to be commenced, (see the note at Genesis 2:4; Genesis 5:1; Genesis 10:1; Genesis 25:12; Genesis 25:19, etc.)
Joseph... was feeding - 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 tell-tale, but as "a faithful steward" in reporting the scandalous conduct of his brethren.
Their evil report, х dibaataam (H1681) raa`aah (H7451)] - an unfavourablc report respecting them.