King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he [is] our brother [and] our flesh. And his brethren were content.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Come, let's sell him to the Yishma'elim, instead of putting him to death with our own hands. After all, he is our brother, our own flesh." His brothers paid attention to him.
Berean Standard Bible:
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.
American Standard Version:
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Come{H3212}, and let us sell{H4376} him to the Ishmeelites{H3459}, and let not our hand{H3027} be upon him; for he is our brother{H251} and our flesh{H1320}. And his brethren{H251} were content{H8085}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 42:21
- ¶ And they said one to another, We [are] 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.
Matthew 16:26
- For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
1 Samuel 18:17
- 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.
Exodus 21:21
- Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he [is] his money.
Matthew 26:15
- And said [unto them], What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
Exodus 21:16
- And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
Genesis 37:22
- And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, [but] cast him into this pit that [is] 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.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 37:27
Genesis 37:27 is a part of the narrative concerning Joseph, the favored son of Jacob (also known as Israel). The verse is set in the context of a family drama that takes place in the land of Canaan during the patriarchal era, which is traditionally dated around the early second millennium BCE.
**Themes:**
1. **Jealousy and Betrayal:** Joseph's brothers are envious of his status as their father's favorite, which is symbolized by the "coat of many colors" given to him by Jacob. Their jealousy leads them to plot against Joseph.
2. **Morality and Brotherhood:** Despite their envy, the brothers' initial plan to kill Joseph is altered when Judah suggests selling him into slavery instead, citing a moral obligation not to lay hands on their own kin ("for he [is] our brother [and] our flesh"). This reflects a tension between moral principles and personal animosity.
3. **Providence and God's Plan:** The events in Joseph's life, including his brothers' actions, are often interpreted as part of God's larger plan for the Israelites. Joseph's journey to Egypt sets the stage for the family's eventual migration there and the enslavement of the Israelites, which is a pivotal event in their history.
**Historical Context:**
The verse mentions the "Ishmeelites," who are descendants of Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar. The Ishmeelites are often associated with Arabian tribes, and their presence indicates the interconnectedness of the various peoples descended from Abraham. The practice of selling individuals into slavery was common in the ancient Near East, and the trade routes between Canaan and Egypt were well-established.
In summary, Genesis 37:27 captures a moment of conflict and moral decision within the family of Jacob. It reflects the complex dynamics of brotherly relationships, the struggle with jealousy, and the beginnings of Joseph's journey, which will have significant implications for the Israelite people. The verse also provides a glimpse into the historical context of trade and slavery in the ancient world, as well as the interrelated nature of the descendants of Abraham.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3212
There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַךְ
Transliteration: yâlak
Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. - Strong's Number: H4376
There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָכַר
Transliteration: mâkar
Pronunciation: maw-kar'
Description: a primitive root; to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender); [idiom] at all, sell (away, -er, self). - Strong's Number: H3459
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׁמָעֵאלִי
Transliteration: Yishmâʻêʼlîy
Pronunciation: yish-maw-ay-lee'
Description: patronymically from יִשְׁמָעֵאל; a Jishmaelite or descendant of Jishmael; Ishmaelite. - Strong's Number: H3027
There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָד
Transliteration: yâd
Pronunciation: yawd
Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. - Strong's Number: H251
There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָח
Transliteration: ʼâch
Pronunciation: awkh
Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. - Strong's Number: H1320
There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּשָׂר
Transliteration: bâsâr
Pronunciation: baw-sawr'
Description: from בָּשַׂר; flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman; body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. - Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.