Matthew Poole and continuators on Genesis 37:2

2 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 fathers wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report .

(i. e.) The events or occurrences which happened to Iacob in his Family and issue. So that word is used, Gen. 6. 9. and Numb. 3. 1. Or the word, These, may relate to what is said Gen. 35. 22. &c. The Genealogy of Esau being brought in by way of parenthesis, and that being finished, Moses returns to the Generations of Iacob, as his principal business, and proceeds in the History of their concerns.

Iacob placed Ioseph, with them rather then with the sons of Leah, either to keep Ioseph humble: Or for Iosephs security, because the other sons retained the old grudge of their Mother, and were more like to envy, contemn, hate and abuse him; Or as an observer of their actions whom he most suspected, as the following words may seem to imply.

Acquainted him with their lewd and wicked courses to the dishonour of God and of their Family, that so his Father might apply such remedies as he thought meet.