Why Did Joseph’s Brothers Sell Him into Slavery?
The story of Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers, found in Genesis 37, is one of the most dramatic and instructive narratives in the Bible. It reveals the interplay of jealousy, family dynamics, and divine providence. Understanding why Joseph’s brothers acted as they did requires examining both personal emotions and circumstantial factors.
1. Favoritism of Jacob
A key factor in the brothers’ actions was Jacob’s open favoritism toward Joseph:
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Joseph was the firstborn of Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife, making him special in Jacob’s eyes.
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Jacob gave Joseph a coat of many colors, symbolizing preferential treatment (Genesis 37:3).
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This favoritism exacerbated resentment among Joseph’s older brothers, who felt undervalued and overlooked despite being born first.
The preferential treatment made Joseph a visible symbol of his father’s partiality, fueling sibling rivalry.
2. Joseph’s Character and Behavior
Joseph’s own behavior unintentionally provoked his brothers:
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He was responsible, capable, and diligent, earning his father’s praise and trust (Genesis 37:2).
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Joseph reported to Jacob about his brothers’ misdeeds in the fields (Genesis 37:2), which made his brothers feel spied upon and criticized.
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He openly shared his prophetic dreams, which implied that he would one day rule over his family (Genesis 37:5–10).
While these qualities were admirable, they intensified the brothers’ envy, as Joseph seemed both favored and morally superior in their eyes.
3. The Provocative Dreams
Joseph’s divinely inspired dreams played a direct role in motivating the brothers’ actions:
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The Sheaves Dream: Joseph dreamt that his brothers’ sheaves bowed to his sheaf, implying subordination (Genesis 37:5–7).
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The Sun, Moon, and Stars Dream: He dreamt that his father, mother, and eleven brothers bowed to him (Genesis 37:9–10).
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Reaction: These dreams angered and frustrated his brothers. Genesis 37:8 says:
“His brothers said to him, ‘Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?’ And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and what he said.”
The dreams symbolized Joseph’s future prominence, which his brothers interpreted as a challenge to their authority and position in the family.
4. Jealousy and Resentment
Joseph’s special status and dreams created a powerful emotional mix of jealousy and resentment:
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They resented the attention and privileges Joseph received from their father.
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They were humiliated by the idea of the youngest brother eventually ruling over them.
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Their anger festered over time, growing from passive envy to active hatred (Genesis 37:4).
This envy was the emotional catalyst that led them to plot against Joseph.
5. Opportunity and Impulsive Decisions
When Joseph was sent to check on the family’s flocks far from home, his brothers saw an opportunity to act:
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Genesis 37:18–20 shows that they initially planned to kill him.
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Reuben, the eldest, intervened, suggesting they throw Joseph into a pit instead, intending to rescue him later (Genesis 37:21–22).
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Judah then proposed selling Joseph to passing Midianite traders as a practical alternative to murder (Genesis 37:26–27).
Their decision to sell Joseph combined envy, anger, and opportunism, resulting in a dramatic betrayal.
6. Human Sin vs. Divine Providence
While Joseph’s brothers acted out of jealousy and malice, the narrative emphasizes that God’s plan was ultimately being fulfilled:
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Joseph’s sale into Egypt positioned him to eventually save his family during the famine (Genesis 50:20).
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Their sinful actions, though morally wrong, became a vehicle for God’s providence, illustrating how human schemes can inadvertently serve divine purposes.
7. Summary of Key Reasons
The brothers sold Joseph into slavery because of a combination of factors:
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Favoritism by Jacob, which bred resentment.
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Joseph’s own behavior, including reporting on his brothers and sharing his dreams.
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The provocative nature of the dreams, implying Joseph would rule over them.
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Jealousy, anger, and rivalry, intensified by family dynamics.
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Opportunity and impulsive decision-making, leading them to sell him instead of killing him outright.
Conclusion
Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery because of envy, resentment, and fear of being subordinated, triggered by Jacob’s favoritism and Joseph’s prophetic dreams. While their actions were morally wrong, they inadvertently fulfilled God’s plan to preserve Jacob’s family and lay the foundation for the Israelites’ future in Egypt.
This story demonstrates the complexity of human motives and the way divine providence can work through flawed human decisions, turning even betrayal into a step toward fulfillment of a larger purpose.