Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.

GENESIS 37:27KJV
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Genesis 37:27 (KJV)

What does Genesis 37:27 mean?

Genesis 37:27 shows Judah suggesting to his brothers that instead of killing Joseph, they should sell him to the Ishmaelites, arguing that Joseph is their brother and their own flesh. The brothers agree to this plan, choosing to profit from Joseph’s sale rather than harm him directly.

In this verse, Judah is speaking to his brothers as they plot against Joseph, who is their younger sibling. The brothers had originally planned to kill Joseph out of jealousy, but Judah persuades them to avoid direct violence by selling him into slavery. This decision changes Joseph’s fate and sets in motion the events that lead to his journey to Egypt.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 37:27

  • "Sell" (מָכַר, makhar): This word means to hand over or sell, especially as property. Here, it emphasizes the brothers’ willingness to treat Joseph as a commodity rather than as family.
  • "Brother" (אָח, ach) and "flesh" (בָּשָׂר, basar): Judah appeals to their shared family bond, using these words to remind the brothers that Joseph is closely related to them, which adds weight to his argument against killing Joseph.
  • "Content" (שָׁמַע, shama): Literally meaning "to listen" or "to hear," in this context it means the brothers agreed or consented to Judah’s suggestion, showing they accepted his reasoning.

Why Genesis 37:27 matters

  • Genesis 37:27 highlights Judah’s role as a leader among his brothers, showing his influence in changing the course of their actions.
  • The verse reveals the brothers’ struggle between jealousy and family loyalty, as they choose not to kill Joseph but still betray him.
  • This decision to sell Joseph instead of killing him is a turning point in the story, leading to Joseph’s eventual rise in Egypt and the later reconciliation with his family.

Where else these words appear

“Ishmeelites” Hebrew H3459 · used in 8 verses

  • 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 39:1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:17 And Abigail bare Amasa: and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmeelite.

“sell” Hebrew H4376 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 25:31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
  • Leviticus 25:42 For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen.
  • Nehemiah 5:8 And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.