Genesis 37:23-33

23 And it came to pass when Joseph had come to his brethren, that they stripped Joseph of his coat, [his] coat of [many] colors that [was] on him.

24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit [was] empty; [there was] no water in it.

25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and behold, a company of Ishmaelites came from Gilead, with their camels bearing spicery, and balm, and myrrh, going to carry [them] down to Egypt.

26 And Judah said to his brethren, What profit [is it] if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood.

27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he [is] our brother, our flesh: and his brethren were content.

28 Then there passed by Midianites, merchants; and they drew and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty [pieces] of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

29 And Reuben returned to the pit; and behold, Joseph [was] not in the pit: and he rent his clothes.

30 And he returned to his brethren, and said, The child [is] not: and I, whither shall I go?

31 And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood:

32 And they sent the coat of [many] colors, and they brought [it] to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it [is] thy son's coat or not.

33 And he knew it, and said, [It is] my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him: Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.

Genesis 37:23-33 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 37

In this chapter begins the history of Joseph, with whom the remaining part of this book is chiefly concerned; and here are related the hatred of his brethren to him, because he brought an ill report of them to his father, and because his father loved him, and which was increased by the dream he dreamed, and told them of, Ge 37:1-11; a visit of his to his brethren in the fields, whom he found after a long search of them, Ge 37:12-17; their conspiracy on sight of him to slay him, but by the advice of Reuben it was agreed to cast him into a pit, which they did, Ge 37:18-24; and after that, at the motion of Judah, sold him to the Ishmaelites, who were going to Egypt, Ge 37:25-28; this being done, Reuben being absent, and not finding Joseph in the pit, was in great distress, Ge 37:29,30; their contrivance to deceive their father, and make him believe that Joseph was destroyed by a wild beast, which on the sight of the coat he credited, and became inconsolable, Ge 37:31-35; and the chapter concludes with the sale of Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, Ge 37:36.