Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse notes both Midianite and Ishmaelite traders, which can be confusing, but the key is that Joseph's brothers sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. This specific price, twenty shekels, would have been the valuation for a youth of Joseph's age, revealing a transactional mindset for a human life that underscores the depth of his brothers' betrayal.
Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Joseph's jealous brothers, after throwing him into a pit intending to let him die, overhear a caravan of traders approaching. Judah proposes selling Joseph rather than letting him die, so the brothers pull him out of the pit and sell him to passing Midianite merchants who then take him to Egypt. This act of betrayal sets in motion the events that will eventually lead to Joseph's rise to power and his reunion with his family.
Who exactly bought Joseph from the pit? The text mentions Midianites and Ishmaelites, and the scholarly context dives deep into this.
It can be a little confusing when you first read Genesis 37:28, as it mentions both Midianite and Ishmaelite traders.
Traders in Ancient Times
Joseph was sold for twenty pieces of silver. What does this price signify in the context of slavery and human worth?
The price of twenty pieces of silver for Joseph is more than just a number; it speaks volumes about how he was perceived and valued by his brothers and the traders.
The Cost of a Son
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Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, an act of immense cruelty. Yet, the Bible frames this as part of God's plan.
This verse is a powerful example of how God works through the sinful actions of humanity to accomplish His purposes.
God's Sovereignty at Work
Understand the original words
bor · Hebrew Noun
A hole or deep excavation in the ground. Symbolically, it often represents a place of danger, death, exile, or the state of Sheol (the grave) from which one needs deliverance.
sheqel · Hebrew Noun
A specific weight of silver used as a standard for commercial exchange and value in the ancient Near East; it was the standard price for the purchase of slaves in various periods.
Mitsrayim · Hebrew Noun
A powerful, ancient nation often serving as a place of refuge, but frequently portrayed as a place of temptation, oppression, or bondage for the people of God.
The purchase price of twenty shekels of silver was a significant amount, highlighting Joseph's value as a slave, yet also showing his brothers' eagerness to be rid of him, selling him for less than the typical rate.
~1800 BC
Abraham's Descendants Travel and Trade
Midianites and Ishmaelites, descendants of Abraham, were active traders in the ancient Near East, traveling routes between Gilead, Egypt, and other regions.
~1750 BC
Jacob's Family Settles in Canaan
Jacob and his large family, including Joseph, lived in Canaan, primarily around Hebron and Shechem. This period saw Joseph's rise in his father's favor and his brothers' growing resentment.
~1750 BC
Brothers Plot Against Joseph
Joseph's brothers, consumed by jealousy over Jacob's favoritism and Joseph's dreams, conspired to kill him, ultimately throwing him into a pit.
~1750 BC— this verse
Midianite and Ishmaelite Traders Pass By
A caravan of Midianite and Ishmaelite merchants traveled from Gilead towards Egypt. They discovered Joseph in the pit, rescuing him from a slow death by hunger.
~1750 BC
Joseph Sold into Slavery
The traders bought Joseph from his brothers for twenty pieces of silver and took him as a slave to Egypt, beginning his remarkable journey.
~1750 BC
Joseph Arrives in Egypt
Joseph was brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, initiating a new chapter in his life.
This passage deals with restitution for theft, and the price for a stolen person, which was often around thirty shekels of silver, is alluded to here. The twenty shekels Joseph was sold for highlights the brutality of the transaction, as it was a reduced price, possibly because the buyers knew he was not a willing sale.
Psalm 105:17This Psalm recounts the story of Joseph, mentioning that he was sold into slavery. It serves as a direct biblical commentary, confirming the event and framing it within God's larger plan for His people.
Amos 8:6This verse speaks of selling the needy for silver and the destitute for a pair of sandals, directly referencing the low price of twenty shekels Joseph was sold for. It shows how this act of betrayal was seen as a grave injustice, even in the Old Testament.
Matthew 26:15This New Testament passage parallels Joseph's betrayal by his own brothers for silver. Judas also betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, showing a recurring theme of betrayal for money and the deep spiritual implications of such acts.
Acts 7:9Stephen's speech recounts the story of Joseph, highlighting that his brothers sold him into Egypt. This shows how this foundational story of betrayal and eventual deliverance was remembered and taught throughout biblical history.
calvinGenesis 37:1-36: "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.
Istae sunt generationes Iahacob. Joseph filius septendecim annorum pascebat cum fratribus suis pecudes, et erat puer cum filiis Bil…
pooleGenesis 37:28: "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."
This story seems a little involved, and the persons to whom he was sold doubtful. Here seem to be two, if not three, sorts of merchants mentioned, Ishmeelites and Midianites here, and Medanites, as it is in the Hebrew, Genesis 37:36 , which were a distinct people from the Midianites, a…
The verse notes both Midianite and Ishmaelite traders, which can be confusing, but the key is that Joseph's brothers sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. This specific price, twenty shekels, would have been the valuation for a youth of Joseph's age, revealing a transactional mindset for a human life that underscores the depth of his brothers' betrayal.
Joseph's jealous brothers, after throwing him into a pit intending to let him die, overhear a caravan of traders approaching. Judah proposes selling Joseph rather than letting him die, so the brothers pull him out of the pit and sell him to passing Midianite merchants who then take him to Egypt. This act of betrayal sets in motion the events that will eventually lead to Joseph's rise to power and his reunion with his family.
Joseph's jealous brothers, after throwing him into a pit intending to let him die, overhear a caravan of traders approaching. Judah proposes selling Joseph rather than letting him die, so the brothers pull him out of the pit and sell him to passing Midianite merchants who then take him to Egypt. This act of betrayal sets in motion the events that will eventually lead to Joseph's rise to power and his reunion with his family.
"Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt." — The verse notes both Midianite and Ishmaelite traders, which can be confusing, but the key is that Joseph's brothers sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. This specific price, t…
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Last reviewed October 2026