Genesis 37:26

26 dixit ergo Iudas fratribus suis quid nobis prodest si occiderimus fratrem nostrum et celaverimus sanguinem ipsius

Genesis 37:26 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 37:26

And Judah said unto his brethren
In sight of the Ishmaelites, a thought came into his mind to get Joseph sold to them;

what profit [is it] if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?
it could be no advantage to them even if they could have concealed his blood from men; and if it was discovered, as it would, in all likelihood, by come means or another, then they must be answerable for it; and if not, God would take vengeance on them, from whom they could never conceal it; and therefore it would be most profitable and advantageous to them to sell him, and not destroy him, or take away his life; and to suffer him to lie in the pit and die was the same thing.

Genesis 37:26 In-Context

24 miseruntque in cisternam quae non habebat aquam

25 et sedentes ut comederent panem viderunt viatores Ismahelitas venire de Galaad et camelos eorum portare aromata et resinam et stacten in Aegyptum

26 dixit ergo Iudas fratribus suis quid nobis prodest si occiderimus fratrem nostrum et celaverimus sanguinem ipsius

27 melius est ut vendatur Ismahelitis et manus nostrae non polluantur frater enim et caro nostra est adquieverunt fratres sermonibus eius

28 et praetereuntibus Madianitis negotiatoribus extrahentes eum de cisterna vendiderunt Ismahelitis viginti argenteis qui duxerunt eum in Aegyptum