Genesis 37:28

26 Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?

27 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.

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.

29 When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes,

30 returned to his brothers, and said, “The boy is gone! What am I going to do?”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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.
KJV
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.
WEB
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. The merchants brought Joseph into Egypt.
ASV
And there passed by Midianites, merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they brought Joseph into Egypt.
DARBY
And Midianitish men, merchants, passed by; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty silver-pieces; and they brought Joseph to Egypt.
BLB
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.
ÅB
Da nå de midianittiske kjøpmenn kom forbi, dro de Josef opp av brønnen, og så solgte de Josef til ismaelittene for tyve sekel sølv; og ismaelittene tok Josef med seg til Egypt.
OTB
Da midjanittiske handelsmenn passerte forbi, dro de Josef opp av brønnen og solgte ham for tjue sekel sølv til ismaelittene, som tok ham til Egypt.
B1930
Da nu de midianittiske kjøbmenn kom forbi, drog de Josef op av brønnen, og så solgte de Josef til ismaelittene for tyve sekel sølv; og ismaelittene tok Josef med sig til Egypten.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Acts 7:9

    Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him

    Read in context
  • Psalms 105:17

    He sent a man before them— Joseph, sold as a slave.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 25:2

    and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 45:4–5

    Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt!

    Read in context
  • Genesis 37:25

    And as they sat down to eat a meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt.

    Read in context
  • Judges 6:1–3

    Again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; so He delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years,

    Read in context
  • Matthew 26:15

    and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 37:36

    Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.

    Read in context