Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The brothers' decision to "sit down to eat" immediately after their wicked deed reveals a chilling indifference, showing their callousness and lack of remorse as they feasted while Joseph suffered in the pit. Their quick transition from conspiracy to comfort highlights a deep-seated depravity, hinting that their hatred for Joseph went beyond mere jealousy of his favor with their father.
Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Fresh from throwing Joseph into a pit, his brothers pause their grim deed to eat, showing a chilling indifference to his fate. As they eat, a caravan of Ishmaelite traders appears, heading towards Egypt with valuable goods. This unexpected sight sparks a new, more profitable idea in Judah's mind, shifting their plan from murder to selling Joseph into slavery.
Joseph's brothers, consumed by hate, threw him into a pit. But just as despair might set in, a trading caravan appears. What does this sudden turn reveal about their hearts and God's surprising ways?
The brothers' actions reveal a chilling lack of empathy. As they 'sat down to eat bread,' their focus was on their own comfort, utterly unconcerned about Joseph's plight in the pit.
The Ishmaelites weren't just travelers; they were merchants carrying specific, valuable goods. What do these items—gum, balm, and myrrh—tell us about the world of ancient trade and Egypt's needs?
The caravan's cargo paints a picture of ancient commerce and the strategic importance of Egypt.
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Understand the original words
Yishmaeli · Hebrew Noun
A term referring to the descendants of Ishmael, son of Abraham. Culturally, they represent the wider Abrahamic family outside the line of the promise (Isaac/Jacob) and frequently appear as traders or nomads in the biblical narrative.
Gil'ad · Hebrew Proper Noun
A region east of the Jordan River known in the ancient Near East for its fertile pastures and high-quality aromatic products (balm/spices).
tsori · Hebrew Noun
A plant resin prized in the ancient world for its medicinal, cosmetic, and religious uses, including embalming and incense. It signifies wealth and luxury goods of the ancient Near East.
c. 1898 BC
Jacob settles in Canaan
Jacob and his family settle in Canaan after returning from Paddan-aram, where Jacob had lived for twenty years. This period marks a return to the land promised to Abraham.
c. 1881 BC
Joseph is born
Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob and the first of Rachel, is born in Paddan-aram. He becomes Jacob's favorite, which sows seeds of resentment among his older brothers.
c. 1864 BC
Joseph is 17 years old
Joseph begins tending flocks with his brothers. His dreams of superiority and his tattling lead to intense hatred from his brothers, culminating in his brothers' conspiracy.
c. 1864 BC— this verse
Brothers sell Joseph
After Joseph is thrown into a pit, his brothers see a caravan of Ishmaelites (also referred to as Midianites) from Gilead heading to Egypt with valuable trade goods, and they sell Joseph to them.
c. 1864 BC
Joseph arrives in Egypt
The Ishmaelites bring Joseph to Egypt and sell him to Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, where his journey of trials and eventual rise begins.
c. 1805 BC
Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams
After years of hardship, Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams, revealing a coming seven-year famine. This leads to Joseph's appointment as second-in-command over all Egypt.
c. 1790 BC
Jacob's family comes to Egypt
During the famine, Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to buy grain. They eventually meet Joseph, who reveals his identity, leading to the relocation of Jacob's entire family to Egypt.
This verse speaks to how the Old Testament scriptures foretold the suffering and resurrection of Christ, much like the unfolding events of Joseph's life ultimately pointed towards God's larger redemptive plan.
Psalm 105:17This psalm directly references Joseph's experience, highlighting how God used a foreign caravan to bring about Joseph's sale, framing it as God's sovereign hand at work even in the midst of betrayal.
Proverbs 29:2The callousness of Joseph's brothers as they ate after selling him illustrates this proverb, showing the dire consequences of a leader's wickedness and the potential for societal breakdown when justice is ignored.
Romans 8:28This verse echoes the underlying theme of Genesis 37, suggesting that even the painful circumstances of Joseph's sale were part of God's plan to bring good out of evil for those He loves.
gillGenesis 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."
And they sat down to eat bread,.... Not at all concerned at what they had done, nor in the least grieved for the affliction of Joseph, and without any pity and compassion for him in his distress, but joyful and glad they had got him into their hands, and like to get…
clarkeGenesis 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."
They sat down to eat bread - Every act is perfectly in character, and describes forcibly the brutish and diabolic nature of their ruthless souls. A company of Ishmaelites - We may naturally suppose that this was a caravan, composed of different tribes that, for thei…
The brothers' decision to "sit down to eat" immediately after their wicked deed reveals a chilling indifference, showing their callousness and lack of remorse as they feasted while Joseph suffered in the pit. Their quick transition from conspiracy to comfort highlights a deep-seated depravity, hinting that their hatred for Joseph went beyond mere jealousy of his favor with their father.
Fresh from throwing Joseph into a pit, his brothers pause their grim deed to eat, showing a chilling indifference to his fate. As they eat, a caravan of Ishmaelite traders appears, heading towards Egypt with valuable goods. This unexpected sight sparks a new, more profitable idea in Judah's mind, shifting their plan from murder to selling Joseph into slavery.
Fresh from throwing Joseph into a pit, his brothers pause their grim deed to eat, showing a chilling indifference to his fate. As they eat, a caravan of Ishmaelite traders appears, heading towards Egypt with valuable goods. This unexpected sight sparks a new, more profitable idea in Judah's mind, shifting their plan from murder to selling Joseph into slavery.
"Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt." — The brothers' decision to "sit down to eat" immediately after their wicked deed reveals a chilling indifference, showing their callousness and lack of remorse as they feasted while Joseph suffered in…
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Last reviewed October 2026