Joseph is betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, setting in motion God’s plan to preserve the family of Israel.
“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.” (v.28)
In this verse, Joseph—born around the early 1900s BC to Jacob (also called Israel)—has already angered his brothers through accounts of his special dreams and his father’s favor toward him (Genesis 37:5-7). The scene unfolds near Dothan in the land of Canaan, a territory situated between the hills of central Palestine. When some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled him up and lifted Joseph out of the pit (v.28), it emphasizes the literal and symbolic descent of Joseph from favorite son to bondservant. These Midianite traders were nomadic descendants of Midian, one of Abraham’s sons through Keturah, and they traveled widely through the region. Although the verse identifies them first as Midianites, it also mentions the Ishmaelites, who likewise traced their ancestry to Abraham (Genesis 25:1-4, 25:12-18). The Bible’s references at times blend Midianites and Ishmaelites together since both groups wandered or traded in overlapping areas east of Canaan.
They sell Joseph, for twenty shekels of silver (v.28), signaling a price typical for a slave in that era (Genesis 37:28). Joseph is taken to Egypt—anciently located around the fertile Nile River—where he will eventually rise in prominence. Historically, Joseph likely lived around 1914-1805 BC, serving under Egyptian Pharaohs. This event foreshadows the suffering of a righteous individual who will one day bring deliverance to many, drawing a parallel to Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 27:38 and following). Similar to how Joseph was betrayed and sold by his own brothers, Jesus was betrayed into the hands of men for silver (Matthew 26:14-16), illustrating how Joseph’s life prefigured the Messiah as a Suffering Servant (Genesis 37:25-28, Matthew 27:3-10).
This passage thus reflects both the tragic injustice directed toward Joseph and God’s unseen guidance, as his journey to Egypt will become central to the survival and future of Jacob’s family (Genesis 45:5-7). He is eventually elevated to the second-highest position of power and used to save his family, just as God’s plan anticipated (Genesis 41:39-46).
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Genesis 37:28 meaning
“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.” (v.28)
In this verse, Joseph—born around the early 1900s BC to Jacob (also called Israel)—has already angered his brothers through accounts of his special dreams and his father’s favor toward him (Genesis 37:5-7). The scene unfolds near Dothan in the land of Canaan, a territory situated between the hills of central Palestine. When some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled him up and lifted Joseph out of the pit (v.28), it emphasizes the literal and symbolic descent of Joseph from favorite son to bondservant. These Midianite traders were nomadic descendants of Midian, one of Abraham’s sons through Keturah, and they traveled widely through the region. Although the verse identifies them first as Midianites, it also mentions the Ishmaelites, who likewise traced their ancestry to Abraham (Genesis 25:1-4, 25:12-18). The Bible’s references at times blend Midianites and Ishmaelites together since both groups wandered or traded in overlapping areas east of Canaan.
They sell Joseph, for twenty shekels of silver (v.28), signaling a price typical for a slave in that era (Genesis 37:28). Joseph is taken to Egypt—anciently located around the fertile Nile River—where he will eventually rise in prominence. Historically, Joseph likely lived around 1914-1805 BC, serving under Egyptian Pharaohs. This event foreshadows the suffering of a righteous individual who will one day bring deliverance to many, drawing a parallel to Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 27:38 and following). Similar to how Joseph was betrayed and sold by his own brothers, Jesus was betrayed into the hands of men for silver (Matthew 26:14-16), illustrating how Joseph’s life prefigured the Messiah as a Suffering Servant (Genesis 37:25-28, Matthew 27:3-10).
This passage thus reflects both the tragic injustice directed toward Joseph and God’s unseen guidance, as his journey to Egypt will become central to the survival and future of Jacob’s family (Genesis 45:5-7). He is eventually elevated to the second-highest position of power and used to save his family, just as God’s plan anticipated (Genesis 41:39-46).