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. Come, let us sell him to the IshmaelitesThis phrase reflects the decision of Joseph's brothers to sell him rather than kill him. The Ishmaelites were descendants of Ishmael, Abraham's son with Hagar, and were known as traders. This decision shows a shift from murder to profit, highlighting the brothers' greed and lack of compassion. The Ishmaelites' presence indicates the trade routes that passed through Canaan, connecting it to Egypt and other regions. This act of selling Joseph foreshadows the betrayal and sale of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver ( Matthew 26:15). and not lay a hand on him;
The brothers' decision not to harm Joseph physically is a moment of restraint, possibly influenced by Reuben's earlier plea to spare his life (Genesis 37:21-22). This reflects a tension between their jealousy and a lingering sense of familial duty. The phrase also echoes the biblical principle of God's sovereignty and protection over His chosen ones, as seen in the lives of other patriarchs. for he is our brother, our own flesh.”
This acknowledgment of Joseph as their brother and flesh highlights the familial bond that should have protected him. It underscores the moral and ethical failure of the brothers, who allow envy to override their natural affection. This phrase also points to the broader biblical theme of the sanctity of family and the consequences of fraternal betrayal, as seen in the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4). And they agreed.
The brothers' agreement signifies a collective decision, showing their unity in wrongdoing. This consensus among the brothers illustrates the power of group dynamics in leading individuals to commit acts they might not do alone. It also sets the stage for the unfolding of God's providential plan, as Joseph's journey to Egypt becomes a crucial part of Israel's history and God's redemptive narrative. Persons / Places / Events 1. JosephThe favored son of Jacob, who is envied by his brothers due to his dreams and his father's favoritism. 2. Joseph's BrothersThe sons of Jacob, who conspire against Joseph out of jealousy and decide to sell him. 3. IshmaelitesA group of traders, descendants of Ishmael, who are traveling to Egypt and to whom Joseph is sold. 4. ReubenThe eldest brother, who initially plans to rescue Joseph but is absent when the decision to sell him is made. 5. JudahOne of Joseph's brothers, who suggests selling Joseph instead of killing him. Teaching Points The Consequences of JealousyJealousy can lead to destructive actions. Joseph's brothers allowed their envy to drive them to betray their own flesh and blood. God's Sovereignty in Human ActionsDespite the brothers' sinful actions, God used their decision to fulfill His greater plan for Joseph and the nation of Israel. The Value of Human LifeJudah's suggestion to sell Joseph rather than kill him reflects a recognition of the value of life, even amidst wrongful intentions. Family Dynamics and ForgivenessThe account of Joseph and his brothers is a powerful account about family conflict, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Moral ResponsibilityEach brother had a choice in how to treat Joseph, reminding us of our moral responsibility in our actions towards others. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the decision to sell Joseph reflect the brothers' internal struggles and family dynamics? 2. In what ways does the account of Joseph's sale to the Ishmaelites foreshadow God's plan for his life and the future of Israel? 3. How can we see God's hand at work in situations where human intentions are evil, as seen in Joseph's account? 4. What lessons can we learn from Judah's suggestion to sell Joseph, and how does it apply to valuing human life today? 5. How does the theme of betrayal in Joseph's account connect to the New Testament account of Jesus' betrayal, and what can we learn from these parallels? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 37:28This verse continues the account, describing the actual sale of Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. Genesis 45:4-5Joseph later reveals himself to his brothers in Egypt, showing how God used their actions for a greater purpose. Acts 7:9Stephen recounts the account of Joseph, highlighting the jealousy of his brothers and God's providence. Matthew 27:3-10The betrayal of Jesus by Judas for silver parallels Joseph's sale, illustrating themes of betrayal and redemption. People Bilhah, Ishmaelites, Jacob, Joseph, Medanites, Midianites, Pharaoh, Potiphar, Reuben, ZilpahPlaces Canaan, Chezib, Dothan, Egypt, Gilead, Shechem, Valley of HebronTopics Agreed, Blood, Brethren, Brother, Brothers, Content, Ear, Flesh, Hands, Hearken, Hearkened, Heeded, Ishmaelites, Ish'maelites, Lay, Let's, Listened, Price, Sell, ViolentDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 37:27 5047 opportunities, in life
7372 hands, laying on Genesis 37:1-35 5738 sons Genesis 37:12-33 5661 brothers Genesis 37:18-27 8828 spite Genesis 37:18-28 5828 danger Genesis 37:23-28 5365 kidnapping
7447 slavery, in OT Genesis 37:25-28 5407 merchants
5587 trade Genesis 37:26-27 5783 agreement Genesis 37:26-28 4303 metals Library Joseph, the Prime Minister
'And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Trials and visions of Devout Youth
'And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Man's Passions and God's Purpose
'And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. 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. And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Talmage -- a Bloody Monster
Thomas De Witt Talmage was born at Bound Brook, N.J., in 1832. For many years he preached to large and enthusiastic congregations at the Brooklyn Tabernacle. At one time six hundred newspapers regularly printed his sermons. He was a man of great vitality, optimistic by nature, and particularly popular with young people. His voice was rather high and unmusical, but his distinct enunciation and earnestness of manner gave a peculiar attraction to his pulpit oratory. His rhetoric has been criticized …
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 8 The Crucifixion.
"He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth."--Isaiah liii. 7. St. Peter makes it almost a description of a Christian, that he loves Him whom he has not seen; speaking of Christ, he says, "whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." Again he speaks of "tasting that the …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII The Sixth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill.' Exod 20: 13. In this commandment is a sin forbidden, which is murder, Thou shalt not kill,' and a duty implied, which is, to preserve our own life, and the life of others. The sin forbidden is murder: Thou shalt not kill.' Here two things are to be understood, the not injuring another, nor ourselves. I. The not injuring another. [1] We must not injure another in his name. A good name is a precious balsam.' It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his name. We injure others in …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 37:27 NIVGenesis 37:27 NLTGenesis 37:27 ESVGenesis 37:27 NASBGenesis 37:27 KJV
Genesis 37:27 Commentaries
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