Keraia
Genesis 37

Genesis 37:28

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

Translations

Modern
So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
Traditional
Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
Literal
And men passed by, Midianite traders; and they pulled up and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and they sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they brought Joseph to Egypt.
Latin
Et prætereuntibus Madianitis negotiatoribus, extrahentes eum de cisterna, vendiderunt eum Ismaëlitis, viginti argenteis: qui duxerunt eum in Ægyptum.

Original

Hebrew
English
So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

Notes

Genesis 37:28

  • The Ishmaelites are called Midianite traders (that is, traders from Midian). Ishmaelites were descendants of Abraham through Hagar (16:5). Midianites were descendants of Abraham through Keturah (25:1–2). The term Ishmaelite may have been used more generally for desert tribes (nomadic groups who move from place to place). The Midianites may also have been traveling with a separate group of Ishmaelite traders (37:27).

  • Kidnapping (taking a person by force) is mentioned in 40:15. Later, it became a capital offense (a crime punished by death) in Israel’s law (see Exodus 21:16).

Genesis 37:25–28

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 Symbolic Numbers The Righteous Suffer

Events

Measurements

  • twenty shekels of silver: About 8 oz (228 g)

Parallels

Acts 7:9–14

People

Ishmael: Son of Abraham and Hagar; father of Arab tribes Joseph: Son of Jacob, ruler in Egypt

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus Midian: A nation descended from Abraham; oppressed Israel in the time of the judges

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 Minerals and Metals Money Money Changer Patriarchs, Period of the Reuben (Person) Slave, Slavery Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs

Topics

Commerce: Articles of Slaves Commerce: Ishmaelites Commerce: Persons Engaged In, Called: Merchants Egypt: Israel in Joseph Sold Into Ishmaelites: Called Midianites 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 Merchant: General Scriptures Concerning Midianites were Merchantmen Midianites: Buy Joseph and Sell Him to Potiphar Midianites: Called Ishmaelites Midianites: Engaged in Commerce Money was Given for Slaves Money: Silver Used As Reuben: Adroitly Seeks to Save Joseph from the Conspiracy of his Brothers Servant: Bond: Bought and Sold Servant: Joseph Silver used As Money from the Earliest Times