Genesis 37:12-36 · Genesis

Joseph Sold by Brothers

Joseph's brothers go to feed their father's flock in Shechem. Joseph is sent by his father to check on them, but they conspire to kill him. Instead, they sell him to the Ishmaelites, who take him to Egypt, and deceive their father into thinking Joseph is dead.

Summary

This passage from Genesis 37:12-36 details a pivotal moment in the story of Joseph, a favored son of Jacob (also known as Israel). Joseph's brothers harbor resentment towards him due to their father's favoritism and Joseph's dreams, which suggest he will rule over them. The passage begins with Joseph being sent by Jacob from Hebron to check on his brothers who are tending sheep in Shechem. Upon arrival in Shechem, Joseph learns from a man that his brothers have moved on to Dothan, so he follows them there (Genesis 37:12-17).

As Joseph approaches, his brothers see him from a distance and plot to kill him, mocking him as "this dreamer" (Genesis 37:18-19). Reuben, the eldest, intervenes to prevent murder, suggesting instead that they throw Joseph into a pit, intending to rescue him later (Genesis 37:21-22). The brothers strip Joseph of his coat of many colors and cast him into an empty pit (Genesis 37:23-24). While they eat, a caravan of Ishmaelites on their way to Egypt passes by. Judah proposes selling Joseph to the Ishmaelites instead of killing him, and the brothers agree. Joseph is sold to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver and taken to Egypt (Genesis 37:25-28).

Reuben returns to find Joseph gone and is distraught. The brothers deceive their father by dipping Joseph's coat in goat blood and presenting it to Jacob, who believes a wild animal has killed Joseph (Genesis 37:29-33). Jacob mourns deeply, refusing comfort from his family, declaring he will mourn until he joins Joseph in death (Genesis 37:34-35). Meanwhile, Joseph is sold by the Midianites in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, setting the stage for Joseph's future in Egypt (Genesis 37:36).

Chiastic structure

ⓘ
A

Genesis 37:12-17

“And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem... And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan.”

B

Genesis 37:26-27

“And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother... Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites...”

A'

Genesis 37:31-33

“And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood... an evil beast hath devoured him...”

Both A and A' involve Joseph's journey and the deception surrounding his fate. A is about Joseph being sent to find his brothers, and A' is about the deception of his supposed death.

Interpretation and theological stakes

The primary conclusion of the passage where Joseph is sold by his brothers is the destructive power of jealousy and the resulting betrayal. The text highlights how the brothers' envy, fueled by their father Jacob's favoritism and Joseph's prophetic dreams, leads them to conspire against him (Genesis 37:18). Their actions, from plotting to kill him to ultimately selling him into slavery, underscore the depth of their resentment. This betrayal sets off a chain of events that greatly impacts Joseph's life and the future of the family, illustrating how unchecked jealousy can lead to severe, life-altering consequences.

Rabbinic Judaism interprets this passage with a focus on the moral culpability of Joseph's brothers. The tradition emphasizes that their jealousy and subsequent actions are condemnable. The verses highlight this perspective by detailing the brothers' initial intent to murder Joseph (Genesis 37:18) and their eventual decision to sell him (Genesis 37:28). This interpretation sees the brothers as responsible for their sin against Joseph, reflecting a broader theme in Jewish teaching that stresses personal accountability for one's actions. The text, particularly through the brothers' deceit of their father (Genesis 37:31-33), illustrates the ethical failings and the moral lessons to be drawn from their wrongdoing.

In contrast, the Reformed Protestant tradition reads this passage through the lens of divine providence. This interpretation suggests that despite the brothers' malicious intent, God's overarching plan is at work, placing Joseph in Egypt to fulfill a greater purpose. The selling of Joseph to the Ishmaelites (Genesis 37:28) and his subsequent arrival in Egypt (Genesis 37:36) are seen as steps in God's plan to position Joseph in a place where he will eventually save many lives during a future famine. This view interprets the passage as a testament to God's ability to use human actions, even those born of sin, to bring about His will.

Considering both interpretations, the passage ultimately speaks to the complexity of human agency and divine sovereignty. The brothers' actions are undeniably driven by personal failing, yet the unfolding events point to a larger, divine narrative at play. This tension between human responsibility and God's plan is a recurring theme in biblical literature. It suggests that, while individuals must be accountable for their actions, there is also an assurance that a greater purpose can emerge from even the darkest of human deeds. This duality invites reflection on the nature of justice and redemption within the biblical framework.

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