Joseph Sold into Slavery
Overview
- Testament: Old
- Book: Genesis 37
- Summary: Joseph’s brothers, jealous of their father’s favoritism, sell him into slavery to Ishmaelite traders for 20 shekels of silver.
Details
Jacob favored Joseph, giving him a “coat of many colors” (Hebrew: ketonet passim — ornate, long-sleeved robe). At 17, Joseph had dreams of supremacy. When he reported them to his brothers, their hatred intensified.
When Joseph went to check on them at Dothan, they stripped him of his coat, threw him in a pit, then sold him to Ishmaelite/Midianite traders for 20 shekels of silver. They dipped his coat in goat’s blood and showed it to Jacob, who mourned, believing a wild animal had torn him.
Joseph was taken to Egypt, where he was sold to Potiphar, captain of the guard.
Key People Involved
Key Places
- Dothan — Where Joseph was found
- Egypt — Destination
Important Verses
- “And they stripped Joseph out of his coat, his coat that was on him; and they took him, and cast him into the pit… And there passed by Midianites merchantmen, and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver.” — Genesis 37:23,28
Cross-References
- Type of Christ — Betrayed for silver, exalted, forgives
- Acts 7:9-11 — Stephen’s sermon
- Psalm 105:17-22 — “They sold Joseph into bondage”