Why Was Joseph Sold to Ishmaelite Traders?
Joseph’s sale to Ishmaelite traders in Genesis 37 is one of the most pivotal events in the Bible. On the surface, it appears to be a simple act of cruelty. But a closer study reveals a complex mixture of hatred, jealousy, greed, fear, and God’s hidden purpose working behind the scenes.
Joseph was not sold for a single reason—his sale resulted from a chain of emotions and decisions that escalated quickly. Below is an in-depth look at the motives and circumstances that led to this life-changing event.
1. The Root Cause: Intense Jealousy and Hatred
Before the sale ever took place, Joseph had already become the target of deep hatred from his brothers.
Why they hated him:
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Jacob’s favoritism, shown through affection and the coat of many colors
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Joseph’s bad reports about their behavior
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Joseph’s prophetic dreams, which suggested he would rule over them
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His innocence and closeness to their father
Genesis 37 repeatedly emphasizes their emotional state:
“They hated him… they hated him even more… they hated him yet the more.”
This growing jealousy created the emotional environment that made betrayal possible—even easy.
2. The Brothers First Planned to Kill Joseph
When Joseph approached them in the field, the brothers originally plotted murder.
“Come now, let us kill him…” (Genesis 37:20)
Their plan included:
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Killing Joseph
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Throwing his body into a pit
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Lying to Jacob by blaming a wild animal
Their hatred had reached its climax. They viewed Joseph’s death as a way to destroy his dreams and remove him from their lives permanently.
3. Reuben’s Intervention: A Temporary Shift in the Plan
Reuben opposed murder. As the oldest son, he felt a sense of responsibility, and he secretly planned to rescue Joseph later.
He persuaded his brothers:
“Let us not kill him… throw him into the pit.”
(Genesis 37:21–22)
This temporarily shifted the plan from murder to abandonment.
While this spared Joseph’s life for the moment, it left him vulnerable—and paved the way for the next twist.
4. Judah’s Proposal: Sell Joseph and Profit from Him
While Joseph lay in the pit, the brothers saw a caravan of Ishmaelite/Midianite traders traveling to Egypt.
Judah then made a suggestion that changed everything:
“What profit is it if we kill our brother?… Let us sell him.”
(Genesis 37:26–27)
Judah’s reasoning:
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Killing Joseph offered no benefit.
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Selling him avoided bloodshed.
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They could rid themselves of Joseph without being personally guilty of murder.
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They could make money from the transaction.
This idea appealed to the brothers—emotionally, financially, and practically.
So the plan shifted again:
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Instead of murder
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Instead of abandonment
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Joseph would be sold as property
5. Why Ishmaelite Traders Were the Buyers
The presence of Ishmaelite/Midianite traders was timely, but not accidental.
Who were these traders?
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Descendants of Ishmael (Genesis 25:12–18)
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Traveling merchants who transported goods between Canaan and Egypt
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Caravan traders dealing in spices and human trafficking
Why selling to the traders made sense to the brothers:
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It was quick and easy: The caravan was passing by at the perfect moment.
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It ensured Joseph would disappear forever: A slave in Egypt was effectively unreachable.
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It kept their hands “clean”: No bloodshed, no corpse to hide.
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It earned them silver: They received twenty pieces of silver, the price of a young slave.
The Ishmaelites were simply the most convenient outlet for the brothers’ sinful plan.
6. Financial Greed Played a Significant Role
Genesis is explicit: Judah asked,
“What profit is it…?”
The desire for money intensified their willingness to betray Joseph. Selling him brought immediate gain, whereas killing him brought nothing.
The combination of greed and jealousy proved deadly.
7. Cowardice and Peer Pressure Influenced Their Actions
The brothers acted together:
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No one defended Joseph except Reuben, who was absent when the sale occurred.
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As a group, they encouraged each other’s worst impulses.
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Peer pressure removed individual hesitation.
Their group mentality made it easier to justify an act they might not have done alone.
8. The Sale Allowed Them to Hide Their Crime
Selling Joseph made the next step—deceiving Jacob—much easier.
Their deception involved:
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Joseph’s coat
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Goat’s blood
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A false assumption made by Jacob
If they had murdered Joseph, covering it up would have been far riskier. By selling him, they avoided direct evidence and created a story that seemed believable.
Selling Joseph let them rid themselves of him while minimizing personal risk.
9. God’s Sovereign Hand Was Working Through Their Sin
Although Joseph’s brothers acted with evil motives, God used their actions for a greater purpose.
Joseph later said:
“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”
(Genesis 50:20)
God used:
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The traders
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The sale
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Joseph’s journey to Egypt
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His rise to power
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His influence with Pharaoh
…to preserve Jacob’s family during a devastating famine and ultimately keep the covenant with Abraham alive.
Joseph’s sale was both:
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A tragic act of betrayal
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The beginning of God’s rescue plan for Israel
Conclusion
Joseph was sold to Ishmaelite traders because of a combination of spiritual, emotional, and practical factors:
1. Jealousy and hatred toward Joseph
2. The desire to remove his influence and dreams
3. Judah’s suggestion to profit from the situation
4. The convenience of a passing caravan
5. Avoiding the guilt of murder
6. Group influence and peer pressure
7. The belief that slavery would end Joseph’s future forever
8. God’s sovereign plan working through human sin
This moment of betrayal set the stage for Joseph’s rise to greatness and ultimately the survival of Israel.