How Was Joseph Ultimately Sold into Slavery?
The story of Joseph’s sale into slavery is one of the most dramatic and pivotal events in the Book of Genesis. It marks the turning point that leads Joseph from favored son to foreign slave—yet ultimately toward a destiny that would save nations. Understanding how Joseph was sold into slavery requires examining the motives, actions, and decisions of his brothers, as well as the circumstances that unfolded when Joseph met them in the fields of Dothan.
1. Background: Rising Tensions in Jacob’s Household
Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son, born to his beloved wife Rachel. Jacob displayed this favoritism openly by giving him the famous coat of many colors, a symbol of honor and special status. This favoritism bred deep jealousy and bitterness in the hearts of his brothers.
Several factors heightened this resentment:
Joseph’s Status
His position as Jacob’s chosen son angered his older brothers, who believed tradition entitled the eldest to special privileges.
Joseph’s Dreams
Joseph’s dreams—symbolizing his future rise to leadership over his family—offended the brothers even more. They interpreted these dreams as arrogance or a threat.
Joseph’s Reports
Joseph at times brought back negative reports about his brothers to Jacob, worsening their relationship.
Together, these tensions set the stage for a grave betrayal.
2. Jacob Sends Joseph to Check on His Brothers
Jacob sent Joseph from Hebron to find his brothers, who were grazing the flock near Shechem and later Dothan. Joseph obeyed and willingly traveled a long distance alone. This placed him in a vulnerable position, far from his father’s protection and close to brothers who already viewed him with hostility.
When the brothers saw Joseph approaching from afar—recognized by his distinctive coat—their resentment quickly turned into a murderous desire.
3. The Brothers’ Initial Plot: Kill Joseph
Their first plan was extreme:
They conspired to kill him and throw his body into a pit, intending to tell Jacob that a wild animal had devoured him.
Their motives included:
-
Jealousy of Joseph’s dreams
-
Hatred fueled by years of favoritism
-
A desire to eliminate the perceived rival to family leadership
This moment revealed the depth of their spiritual and emotional decline.
4. Reuben’s Intervention: “Do Not Shed Blood”
Reuben, the eldest brother, feared both bloodguilt and his father’s grief. He secretly hoped to rescue Joseph later and return him safely to Jacob.
Instead of killing Joseph, Reuben persuaded the brothers to:
-
Throw Joseph into a pit (a dry cistern)
-
Spare his life
Reuben intended to come back later, lift Joseph out, and bring him home. But his plan would be disrupted by events he did not anticipate.
5. Joseph Is Thrown into the Pit
When Joseph reached them, the brothers stripped off his colorful coat—the very symbol of their resentment—and threw him into an empty pit. The emotional cruelty is highlighted in Scripture when the brothers sat down to eat while Joseph cried out from below.
Reuben temporarily left the group, likely to avoid involvement or find the right moment for rescue.
6. Judah’s Proposal: Sell Joseph Instead
As Reuben was away, a caravan of Ishmaelite/Midianite traders approached on their way to Egypt. Seeing an opportunity for profit and a way to avoid murder, Judah suggested a new plan:
“What profit is there if we kill our brother? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites.”
Judah’s reasoning included:
-
Avoiding direct bloodshed
-
Benefiting financially
-
Removing Joseph without killing him
The brothers agreed, seeing it as an easier and more profitable alternative to murder.
7. Joseph Sold to the Ishmaelites
Joseph was lifted from the pit and sold to the traders for twenty pieces of silver, the typical price of a young slave at the time. The merchants then took Joseph to Egypt—far from Canaan, far from his family, and far from the life he once knew.
When Reuben returned to rescue Joseph, he found the pit empty and was devastated.
8. Covering Up the Crime
To hide their betrayal, the brothers crafted a deceptive plan:
-
They killed a goat
-
Dipped Joseph’s coat in its blood
-
Presented it to Jacob
Jacob, believing the deception, mourned Joseph deeply. The brothers’ guilt would stay with them for decades.
9. Joseph’s New Reality in Egypt
In Egypt, Joseph was sold again—this time to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. What the brothers intended as destruction became the beginning of God’s greater plan:
-
Joseph would rise to power
-
Famine would drive his family to Egypt
-
Israel’s history would take a new direction
Conclusion
Joseph was ultimately sold into slavery through a chain of decisions driven by jealousy, fear, and greed:
-
His brothers first plotted to kill him
-
Reuben attempted to save him by having him thrown into a pit
-
Judah proposed selling him instead
-
Joseph was sold to Ishmaelite traders for twenty pieces of silver
-
The traders brought him to Egypt
Though born from human sin, these events positioned Joseph for a future in which he would save many lives—including those of the very brothers who betrayed him.
Comments are closed.