Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt. New Living Translation So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt. English Standard Version Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt. Berean Standard Bible 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. Berean Literal Bible 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. King James Bible 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. New King James Version Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt. New American Standard Bible Then some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled him out and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. So they brought Joseph into Egypt. NASB 1995 Then some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled him up and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. Thus they brought Joseph into Egypt. NASB 1977 Then some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled him up and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. Thus they brought Joseph into Egypt. Legacy Standard Bible Then some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled him up and lifted Joseph out of the pit and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. Thus they brought Joseph into Egypt. Amplified Bible Then as the Midianite [and Ishmaelite] traders were passing by, the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and they sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And so they took Joseph [as a captive] into Egypt. Berean Annotated Bible So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph (YHWH has added) out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver <8 oz / 228 g> to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt (land of bondage). Christian Standard Bible When Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took Joseph to Egypt. Holman Christian Standard Bible When Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for 20 pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took Joseph to Egypt. American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version When the Midianite merchants came by, Joseph's brothers took him out of the well, and for 20 pieces of silver they sold him to the Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation As the Midianite merchants were passing by, the brothers pulled Joseph out of the cistern. They sold him to the Ishmaelites for eight ounces of silver. The Ishmaelites took him to Egypt. Good News Translation and when some Midianite traders came by, the brothers pulled Joseph out of the well and sold him for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt. International Standard Version As the Midianite merchants were passing through, they extracted Joseph from the cistern and sold Joseph for 20 pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who then took Joseph down to Egypt. NET Bible So when the Midianite merchants passed by, Joseph's brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. The Ishmaelites then took Joseph to Egypt. New Heart English Bible So the Midianites merchants passed by, and they pulled him up and lifted Joseph out of the cistern, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they brought Joseph to Egypt. Webster's Bible Translation Then there passed by Midianites, merchants; and they drew and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo 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. World English Bible 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Midianite merchantmen pass by and they draw out and bring up Joseph out of the pit, and sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver, and they bring Joseph into Egypt. Berean Literal Bible 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. Young's Literal Translation And Midianite merchantmen pass by and they draw out and bring up Joseph out of the pit, and sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty silverlings, and they bring Joseph into Egypt. Smith's Literal Translation And men will pass by, Midianites, merchants; and they will draw and bring up Joseph from the pit, and they will sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty of silver: and they will bring Joseph to Egypt. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when the Madianite merchants passed by, they drew him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ismaelites, for twenty pieces of silver: and they led him into Egypt. Catholic Public Domain Version And when the Midianite merchants were passing by, they drew him from the cistern, and they sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And these led him into Egypt. New American Bible Midianite traders passed by, and they pulled Joseph up out of the cistern. They sold Joseph for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt. New Revised Standard Version When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen some Midianite merchants passed by; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Arabians for twenty pieces of silver; and they brought him into Egypt. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Midianite men, traders, passed and they dragged and carried Yoseph from the pit and they sold Yoseph to the Arabs for twenty silver coins, and they brought him to Egypt. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And there passed by Midianites, merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they brought Joseph into Egypt. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the men, the merchants of Madian, went by, and they drew and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ismaelites for twenty pieces of gold; and they brought Joseph down into Egypt. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Joseph Sold by His Brothers…27Come, 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. 28So 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. 29When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes,… Cross References So when the Midianite traders passed by, Genesis 25:4 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah. Genesis 25:2 and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Judges 6:3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east would come up and invade them, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit Jeremiah 38:13 and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard. Psalm 40:2 He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm. Psalm 69:14 Rescue me from the mire and do not let me sink; deliver me from my foes and out of the deep waters. and sold him for twenty shekels of silver Leviticus 27:5 And if the person is from five to twenty years of age, then your valuation for the male shall be twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels. Exodus 21:32 If the ox gores a manservant or maidservant, the owner must pay thirty shekels of silver to the master of that servant, and the ox must be stoned. Amos 2:6 This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Israel, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals. to the Ishmaelites, Genesis 25:12 This is the account of Abraham’s son Ishmael, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maidservant, bore to Abraham. Genesis 16:11-12 The angel of the LORD proceeded: “Behold, you have conceived and will bear a son. And you shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your cry of affliction. / He will be a wild donkey of a man, and his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” Judges 8:24 Then he added, “Let me make a request of you, that each of you give me an earring from his plunder.” (For the enemies had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites.) who took him to Egypt. Genesis 39:1 Meanwhile, Joseph had been taken down to Egypt, where an Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. Acts 7:9 Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him Psalm 105:17 He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. 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! / And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you. Treasury of Scripture Then there passed by Midianites merchants; 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. Midianites. Genesis 37:25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. Genesis 25:2 And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. Exodus 2:16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. sold. Genesis 45:4,5 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt… Psalm 105:17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Zechariah 11:12,13 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver… Jump to Previous Bits Drew Egypt Hole Ishmaelites Ish'maelites Joseph Lifted Merchantmen Merchants Midian Midianite Mid'ianite Midianites Midianitish Passed Pieces Pit Pulled Pulling Shekels Silver Sold Traders TwentyJump to Next Bits Drew Egypt Hole Ishmaelites Ish'maelites Joseph Lifted Merchantmen Merchants Midian Midianite Mid'ianite Midianites Midianitish Passed Pieces Pit Pulled Pulling Shekels Silver Sold Traders TwentyGenesis 37 1. Joseph is loved by Jacob, but hated by his brothers.5. His dreams and the interpretation. 12. Jacob sends him to his brothers, who counsel to slay him. 21. At Reuben's desire they cast him into a pit; 25. and afterwards sell him to the Ishmaelites; 29. while Ruben grieves at not finding him. 31. His coat, covered with blood, is sent to Jacob, who mourns him inordinately. 36. Joseph is brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar. So when the Midianite traders passed by The Midianites were descendants of Midian, a son of Abraham by Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2). They were a nomadic people known for trading, often traveling in caravans. This context highlights the interconnectedness of Abraham's descendants and sets the stage for Joseph's journey to Egypt, a pivotal moment in biblical history. his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt Persons / Places / Events 1. JosephThe favored son of Jacob, who was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery. 2. Joseph's Brothers The sons of Jacob who, out of jealousy and hatred, plotted against Joseph. 3. Midianite Traders Merchants passing by who were involved in the transaction of selling Joseph. 4. Ishmaelites The group to whom Joseph was sold, who then took him to Egypt. 5. Egypt The land where Joseph would eventually rise to power, but initially a place of slavery and hardship. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in AdversityEven in betrayal and hardship, God is at work to fulfill His purposes. The Cost of Jealousy Jealousy can lead to destructive actions that have long-lasting consequences. The Value of Forgiveness Joseph's later forgiveness of his brothers is a powerful example of grace and reconciliation. Trust in God's Plan Like Joseph, we may not understand our circumstances, but we can trust that God is in control. The Role of Providence God's providence is evident as He uses human actions, even sinful ones, to accomplish His divine will. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 37:28?2. How does Genesis 37:28 illustrate the consequences of jealousy among siblings? 3. What role does God's sovereignty play in Joseph's sale to the Ishmaelites? 4. How does Genesis 37:28 foreshadow Joseph's future role in God's plan? 5. What can we learn about God's providence from Joseph's experience in Genesis 37:28? 6. How should believers respond to betrayal, as seen in Genesis 37:28? 7. How does Genesis 37:28 align with God's plan for Joseph's life? 8. Why did Joseph's brothers sell him instead of killing him? 9. What does Genesis 37:28 reveal about human nature and jealousy? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 37? 11. Are Joseph and Imhotep historically connected? 12. Who were the Midianites in the Bible? 13. How should we respond to betrayal and deceit? 14. What is the "coat of many colors"? What Does Genesis 37:28 Mean So when the Midianite traders passed by“So when the Midianite traders passed by” • God’s providence is woven even into the arrival of these merchants; what looks like coincidence is part of His larger design (cf. Proverbs 16:9; Genesis 45:5). • Midianites, descendants of Abraham through Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2), often appear as nomadic traders (Judges 6:3-4). Their presence underscores the far-reaching influence of Abraham’s lineage. • The brothers’ original plan was murder (Genesis 37:20), but Judah’s proposal led to this alternative (Genesis 37:26-27). While still sinful, it kept Joseph alive, preserving God’s chosen instrument (Psalm 105:17). his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit “his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit” • The pit, empty and waterless (Genesis 37:24), symbolizes hopelessness; yet Joseph’s deliverance from it foreshadows future rescues (Jeremiah 38:6-13; Psalm 40:2). • The brothers act together in cruelty, reinforcing the depth of their jealousy (Acts 7:9). • Though Joseph is lifted physically, his peril continues; sometimes deliverance comes in stages (2 Corinthians 1:10). and sold him for twenty shekels of silver “and sold him for twenty shekels of silver” • Twenty shekels equaled the average price of a teenage slave (Leviticus 27:5), revealing how little they valued their own brother. • Silver often marks betrayal—compare the thirty pieces paid to Judas (Zechariah 11:12-13; Matthew 26:15). • The transaction shows sin’s cold calculation; yet God will transform this sale into salvation for many (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). to the Ishmaelites “to the Ishmaelites” • The Ishmaelites, like the Midianites, descend from Abraham (Genesis 16:15; 25:13-16). Family lines intertwine even in wrongdoing, highlighting sin’s reach. • Long-standing tension between Isaac’s and Ishmael’s offspring resurfaces (Genesis 21:9-10; Galatians 4:29). • Joseph passes from one branch of Abraham’s family to another, setting up God’s broader plan to bless “all families of the earth” through this line (Genesis 12:3). who took him to Egypt “who took him to Egypt” • Egypt becomes the stage for Joseph’s rise and Israel’s eventual growth into a nation (Acts 7:10; Genesis 46:3). • What begins as forced relocation ends in preservation: famine will drive Jacob’s family south, where Joseph will provide (Genesis 45:7-8). • God often moves His servants into unfamiliar places to accomplish His purposes (Isaiah 55:8-9; Hebrews 11:8). summary Joseph’s brothers traded jealousy for coins, yet every phrase of Genesis 37:28 reveals God’s hidden choreography. Midianite timing, a pit’s brief reprieve, the silver price, Ishmaelite hands, and Egypt’s distant horizon—all serve the divine plan. Human sin meant evil, but the Lord meant it for good, positioning Joseph to preserve life and advance the covenant promises. (28) Twenty pieces of silver.--Twenty shekels of silver were computed, in Leviticus 27:5, as the average worth of a male slave under twenty. It would be about 2 10s. of our money, but silver was of far greater value then than it is now.Verse 28. - Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; - literally, and passed by the men, Midianites (by country), merchants (by profession). On the different appellations given to the traders vide infra, ver. 36 - and they - not the Midianites (Davidson), but Joseph's brethren - drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver - literally, for twenty (sc. shekels) of silver - L2 10s.; the price afterwards fixed for a boy between five and twenty (Leviticus 27:5), the average price of a slave being thirty shekels (Ezekiel 21:32), and Joseph only bringing twenty because he was a lad (Kurtz), because the Midianites desired to make money by the transaction (Keil), perhaps because-his brethren wished to avoid the reproach of having acted from love of gain (Gerlach), but most probably because Joseph's brethren cared little what they had for him, if so be they were rid of him (Lawson). On the term keseph vide Genesis 20:16. And they brought Joseph into Egypt - where they in turn disposed of their purchase, doubtless at a profit (ver. 36).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So when the Midianiteמִדְיָנִ֜ים (miḏ·yā·nîm) Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 4084: Midianite -- a descendant of Midian traders סֹֽחֲרִ֗ים (sō·ḥă·rîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 5503: To go around or about, travel about passed by, וַיַּֽעַבְרוּ֩ (way·ya·‘aḇ·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on his brothers pulled וַֽיִּמְשְׁכוּ֙ (way·yim·šə·ḵū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 4900: To draw, drag Joseph יוֹסֵף֙ (yō·w·sêp̄) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites out of מִן־ (min-) Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of the pit הַבּ֔וֹר (hab·bō·wr) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 953: A pit, cistern, well and sold וַיִּמְכְּר֧וּ (way·yim·kə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 4376: To sell him יוֹסֵ֛ף (yō·w·sêp̄) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites for twenty [shekels] בְּעֶשְׂרִ֣ים (bə·‘eś·rîm) Preposition-b | Number - common plural Strong's 6242: Twenty, twentieth of silver כָּ֑סֶף (kā·sep̄) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3701: Silver, money to the Ishmaelites, לַיִּשְׁמְעֵאלִ֖ים (lay·yiš·mə·‘ê·lîm) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 3459: Ishmaelites -- descendant of Ishmael who took וַיָּבִ֥יאוּ (way·yā·ḇî·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go [him] יוֹסֵ֖ף (yō·w·sêp̄) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites to Egypt. מִצְרָֽיְמָה׃ (miṣ·rā·yə·māh) Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa Links Genesis 37:28 NIVGenesis 37:28 NLT Genesis 37:28 ESV Genesis 37:28 NASB Genesis 37:28 KJV Genesis 37:28 BibleApps.com Genesis 37:28 Biblia Paralela Genesis 37:28 Chinese Bible Genesis 37:28 French Bible Genesis 37:28 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 37:28 Midianites who were merchants passed (Gen. 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