King James Version

What Does Genesis 37:28 Mean?

Genesis 37:28 in the King James Version says “Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen ; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 37:28 · KJV

Context

26

And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?

27

Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. were: Heb. hearkened

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.

29

And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.

30

And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?

Read Genesis 37 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and ... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal: (1) God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions; (2) suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment; (3) forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation; (4) God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people; (5) how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes. Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיַּֽעַבְרוּ֩1 of 20

“Then there passed”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

אֲנָשִׁ֨ים2 of 20
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מִדְיָנִ֜ים3 of 20

“by Midianites”

H4084

a midjanite or descendant (native) of midjan

סֹֽחֲרִ֗ים4 of 20
H5503

to travel round (specifically as a pedlar); intensively, to palpitate

וַֽיִּמְשְׁכוּ֙5 of 20

“and they drew”

H4900

to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)

וַיַּֽעֲל֤וּ6 of 20

“and lifted up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֶת7 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יוֹסֵ֖ף8 of 20

“Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

מִן9 of 20
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַבּ֔וֹר10 of 20

“out of the pit”

H953

a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)

וַיִּמְכְּר֧וּ11 of 20

“and sold”

H4376

to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)

אֶת12 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יוֹסֵ֖ף13 of 20

“Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

לַיִּשְׁמְעֵאלִ֖ים14 of 20

“to the Ishmeelites”

H3459

a jishmaelite or descendant of jishmael

בְּעֶשְׂרִ֣ים15 of 20

“for twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

כָּ֑סֶף16 of 20

“pieces of silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וַיָּבִ֥יאוּ17 of 20

“and they brought”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת18 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יוֹסֵ֖ף19 of 20

“Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

מִצְרָֽיְמָה׃20 of 20

“into Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 37:28 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 37:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 7:9Psalms 105:17Genesis 25:2Genesis 45:4-5Matthew 26:15Genesis 37:25

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Genesis 37 →

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