Meaning of Genesis 37:28

This verse marks a pivotal and tragic turning point in the life of Joseph and the history of Israel, detailing his sale into slavery after his envious brothers, unable to kill him outright, settled for a profitable disposal. The "Midianite merchants" represent itinerant traders, likely carrying goods like spices, balm, and myrrh from Gilead down to Egypt, a common trade route. Their presence provides the immediate opportunity for the brothers to enact their cruel plan. The "twenty shekels of silver" is a significant detail, as it is the price stipulated in the Mosaic Law for the redemption of a person (Leviticus 27:3), ironically mirroring the price for a slave. The transaction is carried out by "Ishmaelites," who were a distinct group from the Midianites, though often intermingled in trade and travel, suggesting a broader network of commerce. Joseph's descent into the cistern, a pit for water storage, symbolizes his immediate peril and abandonment, from which he is then literally pulled out only to be trafficked, highlighting the transition from a near-death experience to a life of servitude.

Context and Background

The preceding verses (Genesis 37:1-27) establish Joseph's privileged position as the favorite son of Jacob, his prophetic dreams that angered his brothers, and the brothers' initial plot to kill him. They had already stripped him of his distinctive coat of many colors, a symbol of his father's favor and his own perceived arrogance. The cistern, a dark and potentially deadly place, serves as the immediate holding cell before the arrival of the merchants. The brothers' decision to sell Joseph rather than let him die in the cistern is a compromise born of both greed and a desire to be rid of him, while also attempting to mitigate their guilt by not directly spilling his blood, a detail they later exploit in their deception of Jacob.

Key Themes and Messages

Several key themes emerge from this verse:

• Envy and Betrayal: The deep-seated envy of Joseph's brothers culminates in a profound act of betrayal, demonstrating the destructive power of jealousy.
• Sovereignty of God: Despite the human sin and cruelty involved, the verse implicitly points towards God's overarching plan. Joseph is being moved, albeit through wicked means, towards a destiny that will ultimately save his family.
• The Cost of Sin: The twenty shekels of silver represent the tangible price paid for a human life, underscoring the dehumanizing nature of the brothers' actions and the sin that drives them.
• Distant Futures: The destination, Egypt, is significant. It is a land of both potential peril and, as the narrative unfolds, salvation for Jacob's family.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this event serves as a powerful allegory for the concept of redemption through suffering. Joseph, an innocent victim of his brothers' malice, is cast into a pit and sold into slavery. This foreshadows Christ, who was betrayed by those closest to him, unjustly accused, and ultimately crucified. The descent into the cistern can be seen as a type of the grave or hell, from which Joseph is raised to a new, albeit difficult, existence. His subsequent trials in Egypt, though not detailed in this verse, are characterized by faithfulness and integrity, leading to his eventual exaltation. For believers, this narrative encourages perseverance through hardship, trusting that God can work even through dire circumstances for a greater good, and that suffering can be a pathway to a higher purpose.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Genesis 37:28 is a crucial nexus in the biblical narrative. It is the event that directly initiates Joseph's journey to Egypt, which in turn sets the stage for the entire Exodus narrative. Without Joseph's presence in Egypt, the descendants of Jacob would not have migrated there, nor would they have multiplied to the extent that they eventually became enslaved by the Egyptians, necessitating the intervention of Moses and the plagues. Therefore, this verse is foundational to the establishment of the Israelite nation. It also demonstrates the theme of God's faithfulness to his covenant promises, even when his chosen people are acting in sinful ways.

Analogies

One analogy for this verse is a ship being deliberately damaged and set adrift. The crew (brothers), driven by internal conflict (envy), cripples the vessel (Joseph) and casts it into the sea (cistern), hoping it will sink. However, rather than sinking, the damaged vessel is carried by currents (merchants and trade routes) to a distant shore (Egypt) where, though battered, it can eventually be repaired and become instrumental in saving a larger fleet. Another analogy is that of a seed being buried. The act of throwing Joseph into the cistern and selling him is akin to burying a seed in the ground. It appears to be an end, a loss, and a descent into darkness. Yet, this burial is precisely what is necessary for the seed to germinate and grow into a mighty tree, bearing fruit.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse is intricately linked with numerous other biblical passages:

• Genesis 37:2-4: These verses directly precede and explain the brothers' hatred and jealousy towards Joseph due to Jacob's favoritism and the coat of many colors, providing the motivation for their actions.
• Genesis 37:20: "Come, let’s kill him and throw him into one of the pits and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we will see what becomes of his dreams.” This verse reveals the brothers' initial, more murderous intent, from which they deviate to selling him, highlighting a degree of moral compromise.
• Genesis 45:5, 7-8: Joseph himself later reveals the divine orchestration of these events: "And now do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here. It was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you... And God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So it was not you who sent me here, but God." This directly reframes the brothers' wicked act as part of God's redemptive plan.
• Exodus 1:1-5: This passage details the descendants of Jacob who went to Egypt, confirming the outcome of Joseph's sale and setting the stage for the subsequent growth and enslavement of Israel in Egypt.
• Psalm 105:17: This verse explicitly recounts the sale of Joseph: "He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave." This Psalm highlights God's faithfulness in remembering his covenant and orchestrating events for his people's deliverance.