Genesis 37:28 - Midianites who were merchants passed by, and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. They brought Joseph into Egypt.
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What does "Genesis 37:28" mean?
This verse from Genesis 37:28 is a pivotal moment in the story of Joseph, marking the beginning of his journey from freedom to slavery in Egypt. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"Midianites who were merchants passed by...": This introduces a group of traveling merchants, identified as Midianites. It's important to note that the narrative becomes a bit complex here, as some verses later mention Ishmaelites instead. This has led to scholarly debate and interpretations suggesting that the terms might be used interchangeably, refer to related groups, or reflect different traditions woven together in the text. What's essential is that these are traders moving through the area.
"...and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit...": Joseph had been thrown into a pit by his brothers, who were jealous of him. This action indicates that the Midianites/Ishmaelites (depending on the interpretation) found Joseph in the pit. They pulled him out of the pit, likely seeing him as a potential item for trade.
"...and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.": This is the crucial part where Joseph is sold into slavery. The traders sell Joseph to another group of merchants, identified as Ishmaelites. The price, "twenty pieces of silver," emphasizes that Joseph is being treated as a commodity, a piece of property with a monetary value.
"They brought Joseph into Egypt.": This concludes the verse by stating that the Ishmaelites took Joseph to Egypt. This is a turning point in Joseph's life, setting the stage for his future experiences in a foreign land, where he will face challenges, rise to prominence, and eventually play a significant role in saving his family from famine.
In summary: The verse describes how Joseph was rescued from the pit, not out of kindness, but for profit. He was sold as a slave to merchants who transported him to Egypt. This event forever changed Joseph's life, initiating a period of hardship and ultimately leading to his eventual rise to power and reconciliation with his family.
Additional considerations:
The conflicting identities of the merchants (Midianites vs. Ishmaelites): As mentioned earlier, the narrative uses both terms. Some scholars suggest that the two groups were related or that the terms were used somewhat interchangeably. Others propose that the text might be a composite of different oral traditions. Regardless, the key point is that these were merchants interested in trading.
The brothers' role: While the verse focuses on the merchants, it's important to remember that Joseph's brothers were the ones who initially intended to kill him and then decided to sell him. This verse is a consequence of their betrayal and jealousy.
Divine Providence: The story of Joseph is often interpreted as an example of divine providence. Even though Joseph experiences great hardship, God is seen as working behind the scenes to use these events for good, ultimately leading to the survival of Jacob's family and the fulfillment of God's promises.
Genesis 37:28 - Midianites who were merchants passed by, and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. They brought Joseph into Egypt.
What does "Genesis 37:28" mean?
This verse from Genesis 37:28 is a pivotal moment in the story of Joseph, marking the beginning of his journey from freedom to slavery in Egypt. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"Midianites who were merchants passed by...": This introduces a group of traveling merchants, identified as Midianites. It's important to note that the narrative becomes a bit complex here, as some verses later mention Ishmaelites instead. This has led to scholarly debate and interpretations suggesting that the terms might be used interchangeably, refer to related groups, or reflect different traditions woven together in the text. What's essential is that these are traders moving through the area.
"...and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit...": Joseph had been thrown into a pit by his brothers, who were jealous of him. This action indicates that the Midianites/Ishmaelites (depending on the interpretation) found Joseph in the pit. They pulled him out of the pit, likely seeing him as a potential item for trade.
"...and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.": This is the crucial part where Joseph is sold into slavery. The traders sell Joseph to another group of merchants, identified as Ishmaelites. The price, "twenty pieces of silver," emphasizes that Joseph is being treated as a commodity, a piece of property with a monetary value.
"They brought Joseph into Egypt.": This concludes the verse by stating that the Ishmaelites took Joseph to Egypt. This is a turning point in Joseph's life, setting the stage for his future experiences in a foreign land, where he will face challenges, rise to prominence, and eventually play a significant role in saving his family from famine.
In summary: The verse describes how Joseph was rescued from the pit, not out of kindness, but for profit. He was sold as a slave to merchants who transported him to Egypt. This event forever changed Joseph's life, initiating a period of hardship and ultimately leading to his eventual rise to power and reconciliation with his family.
Additional considerations:
The conflicting identities of the merchants (Midianites vs. Ishmaelites): As mentioned earlier, the narrative uses both terms. Some scholars suggest that the two groups were related or that the terms were used somewhat interchangeably. Others propose that the text might be a composite of different oral traditions. Regardless, the key point is that these were merchants interested in trading.
The brothers' role: While the verse focuses on the merchants, it's important to remember that Joseph's brothers were the ones who initially intended to kill him and then decided to sell him. This verse is a consequence of their betrayal and jealousy.
Divine Providence: The story of Joseph is often interpreted as an example of divine providence. Even though Joseph experiences great hardship, God is seen as working behind the scenes to use these events for good, ultimately leading to the survival of Jacob's family and the fulfillment of God's promises.