Genesis 37:27

Joseph Sold into Egypt · Genesis 37:12–30
Read Genesis 37

Translations

Modern
Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed.
Traditional
Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.
Literal
Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let our hand not be upon him, for he is our brother, our flesh.” And his brothers listened.
Latin
…melius est ut venundetur Ismaëlitis, et manus nostræ non polluantur: frater enim et caro nostra est. Acquieverunt fratres sermonibus illius.

Original

Hebrew
English
Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed.

Notes

The Ishmaelite traders were descendants of the slave child who was cast out for mocking Isaac. Now they would enslave Joseph. When he was sold for 20 pieces of silver and carried to Egypt, he was at least preserved alive.

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Jacob Joseph Judah Symbolic Numbers The Righteous Suffer

Events

Parallels

Acts 7:9–14

People

Ishmael: Son of Abraham and Hagar; father of Arab tribes

Glossary

Arabia, Arabs Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Birthright Caravan Dothan Genesis, Book of Hivites Ishmael Ishmeelite Jacob Joseph Keturah Midian, Midianite Patriarchs, Period of the Reuben (Person) Slave, Slavery Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs

Topics

Commerce: Carried on by Means of Caravans Commerce: Ishmaelites Intercession: Judah for Joseph Ishmaelites: Merchants of, Buy Joseph Jealousy: Joseph's Brothers, of Joseph Joseph: Son of Jacob: His Father's Partiality For, Excites the Jealousy of his Brethren Joseph: Son of Jacob: Sold As a Slave Into Egypt Judah: Intercedes for Joseph's Life when his Brothers Were About to Kill Him Reuben: Adroitly Seeks to Save Joseph from the Conspiracy of his Brothers Servant: Joseph Worldliness: Judah