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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 37:27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh." And they agreed.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/37-27.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/01_Gen_37_27.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 37:27 - Joseph Sold by His Brothers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh. 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After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/37.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/37.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/37.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he <i>is</i> our brother <i>and</i> our flesh. And his brethren were content.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/37.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he <i>is</i> our brother <i>and</i> our flesh.” And his brothers listened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/37.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Come, and let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our <i>own</i> flesh.” And his brothers listened <i>to him.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/37.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.&#8221 And his brothers listened to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/37.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; for he is our brother, our <i>own</i> flesh.” And his brothers listened <i>to him.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/37.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our <i>own</i> flesh.” And his brothers listened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/37.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Come, let us [instead] sell him to these Ishmaelites [and Midianites] and not lay our hands on him, because he is our brother and our flesh.” So his brothers listened to him <i>and</i> agreed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/37.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Come on, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh,” and his brothers agreed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/37.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Come, let&#8217s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh,&#8221 and they agreed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/37.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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 hearkened unto him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/37.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not harm him. After all, he is our brother." And the others agreed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/37.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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 hearkened unto him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/37.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Let's sell him to the Ishmaelites. Let's not hurt him, because he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/37.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Let's sell him to these Ishmaelites. Then we won't have to hurt him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/37.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Come on! Let's sell him to the Ishmaelites! That way, we won't have laid our hands on him. After all, he's our brother, our own flesh." So Judah's brothers listened to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/37.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/37.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites, but let's not lay a hand on him, for after all, he is our brother, our own flesh." His brothers agreed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/37.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Come, and let鈥檚 sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay a hand on him, for he is our brother, our flesh. "And his brothers agreed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/37.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/37.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Come, and let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not let our hand be on him; for he is our brother, our flesh.” His brothers listened to him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/37.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Come, and we sell him to the Ishmaelites, and our hands are not on him, for he [is] our brother—our flesh”; and his brothers listen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/37.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Come, and we sell him to the Ishmaelites, and our hands are not on him, for he is our brother -- our flesh;' and his brethren hearken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/37.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Come, and we will sell him to the Ishmaelites, and our hand shall not be upon him; for he our brother, our flesh: and his brethren will hear.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/37.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />It is better that he be sold to the Ismaelites, and that our hands be not defiled: for he is our brother and our flesh. His brethren agreed to his words. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/37.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />It is better that he be sold to the Ishmaelites, and then our hands will not be defiled. For he is our brother and our flesh.” His brothers agreed to his words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/37.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Come, let us sell him to these Ishmaelites, instead of doing away with him ourselves. After all, he is our brother, our own flesh.” His brothers agreed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/37.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers agreed.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/37.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Come, let us sell him to the Arabians, and let us not harm him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brothers listened to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/37.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Come, let us sell him to the Arabs, and our hand will not be on him, because he is our brother and our flesh”, and his brothers listened to him.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/37.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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 hearkened unto him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/37.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Come, let us sell him to these Ismaelites, but let not our hands be upon him, because he is our brother and our flesh; and his brethren hearkened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/37-27.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=9538" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/37.htm">Joseph Sold by His Brothers</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">26</span>Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? <span class="reftext">27</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: lə·ḵū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">Come,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4376.htm" title="4376: wə·nim·kə·ren·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.h-1cp:: 3mse) -- To sell. A primitive root; to sell, literally, or figuratively.">let us sell him</a> <a href="/hebrew/3459.htm" title="3459: lay·yiš·mə·‘ê·lîm (Prep-l, Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Desc. of Ishmael. Patronymically from Yishma'e'l; a Jishmaelite or descendant of Jishmael.">to the Ishmaelites</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">and not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: tə·hî- (V-Qal-Imperf.Jus-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">lay</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: wə·yā·ḏê·nū (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 1cp) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">a hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/ḇōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">on him;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">he</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’ā·ḥî·nū (N-msc:: 1cp) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">is our brother,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: ḇə·śā·rê·nū (N-msc:: 1cp) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">our own flesh.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’e·ḥāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">And they</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: way·yiš·mə·‘ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">agreed.</a> </span><span class="reftext">28</span>So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-4.htm">Genesis 45:4-5</a></span><br />Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt! / And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-20.htm">Genesis 50:20</a></span><br />As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-9.htm">Acts 7:9</a></span><br />Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-17.htm">Psalm 105:17</a></span><br />He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-3.htm">Matthew 27:3-4</a></span><br />When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. / “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-23.htm">Acts 2:23</a></span><br />He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28</a></span><br />And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21-22</a></span><br />Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” / And Reuben responded, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-26.htm">Genesis 49:26</a></span><br />The blessings of your father have surpassed the blessings of the ancient mountains and the bounty of the everlasting hills. May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince of his brothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-17.htm">1 Samuel 18:17</a></span><br />Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/19-1.htm">1 Samuel 19:1</a></span><br />Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/5-20.htm">2 Kings 5:20-27</a></span><br />Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, by not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” / So Gehazi pursued Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and asked, “Is everything all right?” / “Everything is all right,” Gehazi replied. “My master has sent me to say, ‘Look, two young men from the sons of the prophets have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-11.htm">Proverbs 1:11-14</a></span><br />If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, / let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit. / We will find all manner of precious goods; we will fill our houses with plunder. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3-4</a></span><br />He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. / Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-18.htm">Jeremiah 18:18</a></span><br />Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be on him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brothers were content.</p><p class="hdg">sell him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/37-22.htm">Genesis 37:22</a></b></br> And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, <i>but</i> cast him into this pit that <i>is</i> in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/21-16.htm">Exodus 21:16,21</a></b></br> And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/5-8.htm">Nehemiah 5:8</a></b></br> And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing <i>to answer</i>.</p><p class="hdg">let not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/18-17.htm">1 Samuel 18:17</a></b></br> And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/11-14.htm">2 Samuel 11:14-17</a></b></br> And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent <i>it</i> by the hand of Uriah… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/12-9.htm">2 Samuel 12:9</a></b></br> Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife <i>to be</i> thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.</p><p class="hdg">he is our.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/29-14.htm">Genesis 29:14</a></b></br> And Laban said to him, Surely thou <i>art</i> my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21</a></b></br> And they said one to another, We <i>are</i> verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.</p><p class="hdg">were content.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/37-26.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/3_john/1-10.htm">Content</a> <a href="/genesis/29-14.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/genesis/37-22.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/37-22.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/genesis/34-24.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/genesis/34-24.htm">Hearkened</a> <a href="/malachi/3-16.htm">Heeded</a> <a href="/genesis/37-25.htm">Ishmaelites</a> <a href="/psalms/83-6.htm">Ish'maelites</a> <a href="/genesis/37-21.htm">Let's</a> <a href="/genesis/34-12.htm">Price</a> <a href="/genesis/25-31.htm">Sell</a> <a href="/genesis/37-22.htm">Violent</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/37-31.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/exodus/2-21.htm">Content</a> <a href="/genesis/40-19.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/genesis/38-18.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/39-1.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/genesis/42-22.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/genesis/39-10.htm">Hearkened</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-14.htm">Heeded</a> <a href="/genesis/37-28.htm">Ishmaelites</a> <a href="/genesis/37-28.htm">Ish'maelites</a> <a href="/exodus/14-25.htm">Let's</a> <a href="/genesis/37-36.htm">Price</a> <a href="/genesis/47-16.htm">Sell</a> <a href="/genesis/44-28.htm">Violent</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 37</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-1.htm">Joseph is loved by Jacob, but hated by his brothers.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">His dreams and the interpretation.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-12.htm">Jacob sends him to his brothers, who counsel to slay him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-21.htm">At Reuben's desire they cast him into a pit;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-25.htm">and afterwards sell him to the Ishmaelites; </a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-29.htm">while Ruben grieves at not finding him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-31.htm">His coat, covered with blood, is sent to Jacob, who mourns him inordinately.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-36.htm">Joseph is brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/genesis/37.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Come, let us sell him</b><br />The phrase begins with an invitation to action, "Come," which in Hebrew is "לְכוּ" (lechu), suggesting a collective decision-making process among Joseph's brothers. The act of selling Joseph, "נִמְכְּרֶנּוּ" (nimkerennu), reflects a transactional mindset, reducing a human life to a commodity. This decision is pivotal, as it sets the stage for Joseph's journey to Egypt, a key event in the unfolding of God's providential plan. Historically, the selling of individuals into slavery was not uncommon in the ancient Near East, and this act by Joseph's brothers highlights the moral and ethical challenges faced by God's people.<p><b>to the Ishmaelites</b><br />The Ishmaelites, descendants of Ishmael, Abraham's son with Hagar, are mentioned here as the traders to whom Joseph is sold. This connection to Ishmael is significant, as it ties back to the broader narrative of Abraham's descendants and the complex relationships between them. The Ishmaelites were known as traders, often traveling in caravans, which aligns with the historical context of nomadic trade routes in the region. This mention underscores the interconnectedness of the biblical family lines and the unfolding of God's promises through unexpected means.<p><b>and not lay a hand on him</b><br />This phrase, "אַל־תִּשְׁלְחוּ־בּוֹ יָד" (al-tishlechu-bo yad), indicates a decision to refrain from direct violence against Joseph. It reflects a moment of restraint and perhaps a glimmer of conscience among the brothers. In the broader scriptural context, the act of laying hands on someone often implies harm or judgment. Here, the brothers choose a less violent, albeit still morally questionable, course of action. This decision preserves Joseph's life, allowing God's plan for him to unfold in Egypt.<p><b>for he is our brother, our own flesh</b><br />The acknowledgment of Joseph as "our brother, our own flesh" (כִּי־אָחִינוּ בְשָׂרֵנוּ הוּא, ki-achinu besareinu hu) highlights the familial bond that, despite their jealousy and anger, still holds some sway over the brothers' actions. This recognition of shared kinship is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of family and the moral obligations it entails. It serves as a reminder of the inherent value and dignity of every person, created in the image of God, and the call to love and protect one another.<p><b>And they agreed</b><br />The phrase "וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶחָיו" (vayishme'u echav) indicates consensus among the brothers. This agreement marks a turning point in the narrative, as it leads to Joseph's descent into Egypt, where he will eventually rise to a position of great influence. The brothers' agreement, while rooted in sin, ultimately serves God's greater purpose, illustrating the mysterious ways in which God can work through human actions, even those that are morally flawed, to bring about His divine will. This serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the hope that He can redeem even the darkest situations for His glory.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/37-27.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Come,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְכ֞וּ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">let us sell</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנִמְכְּרֶ֣נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nim·kə·ren·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4376.htm">Strong's 4376: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sell</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him to the Ishmaelites</span><br /><span class="heb">לַיִּשְׁמְעֵאלִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(lay·yiš·mə·‘ê·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3459.htm">Strong's 3459: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ishmaelites -- descendant of Ishmael</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lay</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּהִי־</span> <span class="translit">(tə·hî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a hand on him;</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיָדֵ֙נוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yā·ḏê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֑וּא</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is our brother,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָחִ֥ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḥî·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our own flesh.”</span><br /><span class="heb">בְשָׂרֵ֖נוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·śā·rê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man</span><br /><br /><span class="word">And they</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶחָֽיו׃</span> <span class="translit">(’e·ḥāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">agreed.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·mə·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/37-27.htm">Genesis 37:27 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/37-27.htm">Genesis 37:27 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/37-27.htm">Genesis 37:27 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/37-27.htm">Genesis 37:27 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/37-27.htm">Genesis 37:27 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/37-27.htm">Genesis 37:27 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/37-27.htm">Genesis 37:27 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/37-27.htm">Genesis 37:27 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/37-27.htm">Genesis 37:27 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/37-27.htm">Genesis 37:27 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/37-27.htm">OT Law: Genesis 37:27 Come and let's sell him to (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/37-26.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 37:26"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 37:26" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/37-28.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 37:28"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 37:28" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>