The correct option is D. Of his dreams. Explanation of the Correct Answer Joseph's brothers hated him primarily because of the dreams he had and the implications of those dreams. In the Book of Genesis, Joseph had two significant dreams that foretold his future rise to power and the subservience of his family to him.

1. The Dreams:
2. In the first dream, Joseph saw himself and his brothers binding sheaves of grain in the field. His sheaf stood upright while the others bowed down to it.
3. In the second dream, he saw the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing down to him, which he interpreted as a sign that his family would one day bow to him.
4. The Reaction of His Brothers:
5. When Joseph shared these dreams with his brothers, they interpreted them as a threat to their status and authority within the family. They were already envious of him due to their father's favoritism, but the dreams intensified their hatred. They felt that Joseph was being arrogant and presumptuous by suggesting that he would one day rule over them.
6. Culmination of Hatred:
7. The combination of his dreams and the way he presented them to his brothers led to a significant increase in their animosity. They saw him not just as their father's favorite but as someone who believed he was destined for greatness at their expense.

Why the Other Options Are Weaker

• A. Of the coat Jacob gave him:
• While the coat of many colors that Jacob gave to Joseph did contribute to his brothers' jealousy, it was not the primary reason for their hatred. The coat symbolized Jacob's favoritism, but the dreams were a more direct cause of their animosity because they threatened the brothers' positions within the family.
• B. He was the son of Rachel:
• Joseph being the son of Rachel, Jacob's favored wife, did play a role in the brothers' jealousy. However, this factor alone does not explain the depth of their hatred. The dreams were a more significant catalyst for their feelings, as they directly challenged the brothers' status.
• C. His father loved him:
• Jacob's love for Joseph was evident and certainly contributed to the brothers' resentment. However, like option B, this is not the main reason for their hatred. The dreams were a more active source of conflict, as they implied a future where Joseph would have authority over them.

Summary of Key Points

• Joseph's dreams foretold his rise to power and the subservience of his brothers, which they found threatening.
• The brothers' hatred was intensified by Joseph's sharing of these dreams, which they interpreted as arrogance.
• While favoritism from Jacob and Joseph's lineage contributed to the brothers' feelings, the dreams were the primary cause of their animosity.

Revision Summary

• Joseph's dreams indicated his future authority over his brothers, leading to their hatred.
• The brothers felt threatened by the implications of Joseph's dreams.
• Jacob's favoritism and Joseph's lineage contributed to jealousy but were not the main reasons for hatred.
• Understanding the context of Joseph's dreams is crucial for grasping the dynamics of his relationship with his brothers.