Genesis 37:23-36

Sold By His Brothers

When Joseph reached them, they stripped himof the coat Jacob had given him and cast him into a pit. Then, they sat down to eat. While they were eating, a caravan of Ishmaelite traders were sighted by the brothers. They were going from Gilead to Egypt to sell spices, medicine and perfume. Judah suggested they not kill Joseph but make a profit by selling him to the traders.

The Ishmaelites gave them twenty shekels of silver, which was the redemption price for a boy up to twenty years of age (Leviticus 27:5). All of the business with the traders must have been done while Reuben was away. When he returned to an empty pit, he tore his clothes. Then, Joseph's brothers took his coat and dipped it in goat's blood. The extent of their jealous anger can be seen in the question they asked their father. "We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son's tunic or not?" Notice, they would not even call Joseph their brother.

Jacob assumed just what they hoped he would. He knew it was Joseph's coat and believed a wild animal had killed him. He tore his clothes and put on sackcloth. Then, he mourned for his lost son and would not be comforted. In fact, he said he would mourn until he died. Meanwhile, Joseph was sold by the Midianites to Potiphar, a captain of the guard serving Pharaoh (Genesis 37:23-36).