The meaning of this word פַס (pas) is debated and has been variously translated. In short, the exact translated is uncertain. However, what is certain is the STYLE rather than the colour because it was the sort of coat word by the prince or princess as per 2 Sam 13:18, 19.
Thus, the special coat or either many colours or long sleeves, etc, was significant precisely because it sent a clear message that the young Joseph was:
- valued above all the other brothers
- would become the main inheritor of the father property
Such a display of biased love must have been galling to the other brothers. Note the comments of Ellicott -
A coat of many colours.—Two explanations are given of this phrase; the first, that it was a long garment with sleeves or fringes; the
other, that it was composed of patchwork of various colours. The
latter is the more probable interpretation; for from the tomb at
Beni-Hassan we learn that such dresses were worn in Palestine, as a
train of captive Jebusites is represented upon it clad in rich robes,
the patterns of which seem to have been produced by sewing together
small pieces of different colours. So also in India beautiful dresses
are made by sewing together strips of crimson, purple, and other
colours. (Roberts’ Oriental Illustrations, p. 43.) Some have thought
that Jacob by this dress marked out Joseph as the future head of the
family, in the place of Reuben, supposing it to indicate the priestly
office borne by the firstborn; but this is doubtful, and it was Judah
to whom Jacob gave the right of primogeniture.
Also the remarks of the Cambridge commentary -
a coat of many colours Rather, as R.V. marg., a long garment with sleeves. The familiar rendering “a coat of many colours,” derived from
LXX χιτῶνα ποικίλον, Vulg. tunicam polymitam, is certainly incorrect.
It is literally “a tunic of palms,” i.e. reaching to the palms of the
hands and the soles of the feet, differing from an ordinary tunic by
having sleeves, and by reaching to the feet. The same word is used in
2 Samuel 13:18 of a dress worn by a princess, where LXX χιτὼν καρπωτός
and Lat. tunica talaris are correct. The rendering of the margin, of
Pesh., Symm. (χειριδωτόν) and Aquila (χιτὼν ἀστραγάλων), if less
picturesque, is more accurate.
The unwise favouritism shewn by his father heightened the unpopularity
of the boy.