How Was Joseph Sold to the Ishmaelites?
Joseph’s sale to the Ishmaelites is a pivotal moment in the story of Genesis. It becomes the turning point through which God moves Joseph from a place of danger in Canaan to a place of purpose in Egypt. But the process of Joseph being sold is layered with shifting motives, family tension, greed, and divine timing. Understanding how Joseph was sold reveals the emotional complexity of the event and its place in God’s bigger plan.
1. Joseph Was First Thrown Into an Empty Cistern
The selling of Joseph did not happen immediately after his brothers plotted against him.
First, they seized him:
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They stripped him of his colorful coat, the symbol of Jacob’s favoritism.
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They threw him into a dry cistern, likely a deep pit used to collect rainwater.
This act showed their hatred but not yet a clear, unified plan. The cistern served as a temporary holding place and created a delay that allowed other developments to unfold.
2. Reuben’s Attempt to Save Joseph Created an Opportunity
Reuben, the eldest brother, had convinced the others not to kill Joseph outright.
His plan was to:
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Keep Joseph alive in the pit,
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Then return later to rescue him secretly,
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And restore him to their father Jacob.
Because Reuben was absent when the sale happened, he never intended for Joseph to be sold at all.
His absence created an opening for the rest of the brothers to make a new decision—a decision driven by greed and resentment rather than restraint.
3. A Caravan of Ishmaelite/Midianite Traders Approached
At the exact moment Joseph was in the pit, a caravan appeared on the horizon.
These were:
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Ishmaelite or Midianite merchants,
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Traveling from Gilead,
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Carrying spices, balm, and myrrh,
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On their way to Egypt to trade goods.
The appearance of the traders was more than coincidence; it was the providential timing that shifted the brothers’ plan from murder to sale.
4. Judah Proposed Selling Joseph Instead of Killing Him
Judah, one of the older brothers, saw a new opportunity. His reasoning was practical and profit-driven:
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Killing Joseph would yield no benefit.
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Selling him would remove Joseph from their lives while avoiding bloodshed.
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They could also make money from the transaction.
Judah said:
“What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites.”
Judah’s proposal appealed to the brothers’ greed and their desire to rid themselves of Joseph.
5. The Brothers Pulled Joseph Out of the Cistern
Once the brothers agreed, they took decisive action:
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They went to the pit.
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They pulled Joseph out, likely terrified and confused.
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They prepared him for sale like merchandise.
Joseph’s fear and helplessness are implied; he had no power to resist as his own brothers handed him over to strangers.
6. Joseph Was Sold for Twenty Pieces of Silver
The brothers sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver, a common price for a young slave during that time.
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To the brothers, it was easy money.
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To Joseph, it meant being taken away permanently from his home.
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To God, it was the first step toward Joseph’s future rise in Egypt.
This moment represents the intersection of human evil and divine design.
7. The Ishmaelites Transported Joseph to Egypt
After the sale:
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The Ishmaelite traders bound Joseph and placed him among their caravan.
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He was transported southward, likely walking long stretches of the desert route.
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Joseph’s journey from Canaan to Egypt had begun—against his will, but according to God’s plan.
This movement from the cistern to the caravan symbolized Joseph’s transition from the hated brother to the instrument of future deliverance.
8. Reuben Returned Too Late to Save Him
When Reuben returned to the pit, Joseph was gone.
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He tore his clothes in distress.
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He realized the opportunity to save Joseph had slipped away.
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His brothers had acted without him, sealing Joseph’s fate.
Reuben’s reaction highlights the chaotic and divided nature of the brothers’ actions.
Conclusion: Joseph Was Sold Through Human Greed and Divine Guidance
Joseph was sold to the Ishmaelites through a series of unfolding events that combined jealousy, impulsive decisions, and providential timing:
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He was thrown into a cistern out of hatred.
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Reuben’s temporary restraint opened the door for another plan.
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A caravan appeared at a key moment.
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Judah suggested selling him for profit.
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The brothers pulled Joseph out and sold him.
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He was bought for twenty shekels of silver.
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The traders transported him to Egypt.
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Reuben returned too late to prevent it.
Though driven by human sin, the sale of Joseph became the pathway for God’s greater purpose—positioning him to save nations during famine and preserve the family that would become Israel.
What prevented the brothers from killing Joseph immediately?