Vayeishev 37:18 · EXTRA

EXTRA · Parashas Vayeishev · Passuk 37:18 · not a Torah Temimah citation on this passuk

The Complete Passuk

וַיִּרְא֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ מֵרָחֹ֑ק וּבְטֶ֙רֶם֙ יִקְרַ֣ב אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וַיִּֽתְנַכְּל֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ לַהֲמִיתֽוֹ׃

They saw him from afar, and before he came close to them they conspired to kill him.

Classical source (EXTRA side-ring): Yalkut Shimoni 141 / Midrash Tanchuma Vayeishev.

Core Text

וַיִּרְאוּ אֹתוֹ מֵרָחֹק — אָמְרוּ: נְשַׁסֶּה בּוֹ אֶת הַכְּלָבִים.

English: “And they saw him from afar” — they said: Let us set the dogs on him.

In context: Before he arrives, the brothers already plan violence; distance does not cool the plot.

Derash on the verse (midrash) — not a formal named middah of the 13. “From afar” is filled with the content of the conspiracy.

The plot against Yosef is formed while he is still far away; the crime is intentional, not a sudden impulse.