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.

GENESIS 37:28KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 37:28 (KJV)

What does Genesis 37:28 mean?

Genesis 37:28 describes how Joseph’s brothers sold him to passing traders for twenty pieces of silver, and these traders then took Joseph to Egypt. This verse marks the moment Joseph is taken away from his family and begins his journey into slavery in a foreign land.

In this scene, Joseph’s brothers have thrown him into a pit, and a group of Midianite merchantmen pass by. The brothers pull Joseph out of the pit and sell him to the Ishmaelites, who are traveling to Egypt. This transaction sets in motion the events that will later lead to Joseph’s rise in Egypt and the eventual reunion with his family.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 37:28

  • מִדְיָנִים (Midyanim, transliterated “Midianites”): This word refers to a group of traders, possibly distinct from the Ishmaelites mentioned later in the verse. The presence of both names hints at the mixed or overlapping identities of ancient trading groups.
  • סֹחֲרִים (socharim, “merchantmen”): This word means traders or merchants, emphasizing that these were not just travelers but people engaged in commerce, likely dealing in goods and possibly slaves.
  • כֶּסֶף (kesef, “silver”): The word for “silver” is often used for money in the Hebrew Bible. The price—twenty pieces—shows Joseph was sold as a slave, and the amount is typical for a young male slave at the time.
  • מָכַר (makar, “sold”): This verb makes clear that Joseph’s brothers treated him as property, selling him for profit rather than simply abandoning him.

Why Genesis 37:28 matters

  • Genesis 37:28 clarifies that Joseph’s brothers were motivated by profit and not just jealousy or anger, as they sold him for silver rather than leaving him to die.
  • The verse highlights the involvement of both Midianites and Ishmaelites, which can help readers understand the complex networks of trade and people in the ancient Near East.
  • This moment is a turning point in Joseph’s story, setting up his eventual rise to power in Egypt and the fulfillment of earlier dreams he had shared with his brothers.

Where else these words appear

“Midianites” Hebrew H4084 · used in 7 verses

  • Numbers 10:29 And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.
  • Numbers 25:14 Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites.
  • Numbers 25:17 Vex the Midianites, and smite them:

“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.

“merchantmen” Hebrew H5503 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 23:16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:14 Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.
  • Jeremiah 14:18 If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.

“drew” Hebrew H4900 · used in 36 verses

  • Exodus 12:21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.
  • Job 21:33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.
  • Isaiah 13:22 And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.